76ers push top-seed Bulls to brink

Jrue Holiday broke out of a game-long slump with consecutive three-pointers that stretched a one-point lead into seven yesterday as the 76ers beat the Chicago Bulls, 89-82, to take a 3-1 lead in their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series.

"The guy I'm really proud of is Jrue Holiday," 76ers coach Doug Collins said. "He's got a coach who's got no conscience when it comes to shooting, and it's the one thing I've tried to impart with our team is, if you've got a shot, you've got to take it."

Spencer Hawes scored 22 points and Holiday had 20 to put the 76ers one win away from joining the short list of eighth-seeded teams that have upset a No. 1 seed.

Andre Iguodala had 14 points and 12 rebounds for the 76ers, who have won the last three games after losing Game 1. Game 5 is Tuesday in Chicago.

The top-seeded Bulls played without Derrick Rose (torn ACL) and Joakim Noah (sprained ankle). Rose is out for the season and Noah is day-to-day for the rest of the series.

Carlos Boozer had 23 points and 11 rebounds for the Bulls. Taj Gibson chipped in 14 points and 12 rebounds.

In NBA postseason history, the eighth seed has won a first-round series against the No. 1 seed four times, including last season, when Memphis eliminated San Antonio. Golden State (2007), the Knicks (1999) and Denver (1994) also pulled off the rare feat. "I'm not worried about it," Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. "I'm just worried about the next game. We do have more than enough to win with."

Celtics 101, Hawks 79:Paul Pierce scored 24 points in 18 minutes and host Boston opened a 37-point third-quarter lead en route to taking a 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference quarterfinal series. Rajon Rondo had 20 points and 16 assists as Boston got some much-needed rest for its aging and injured roster.

Josh Smith returned after missing Friday's game and had 15 points and 13 rebounds for Atlanta. Al Horford, who played for the first time in almost four months, scored 12 points.

"We had a lot of things going on on our bench today with bodies," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "The whole game I kept looking down there [to see if] there were enough guys to put in the game."

Lakers 92, Nuggets 88: Ramon Sessions and Steve Blake hit big three-pointers in the final minutes as visiting Los Angeles held off Denver to take a 3-1 lead in their Western Conference quarterfinal series. Kobe Bryant had 22 points and Andrew Bynum added 19, shooting 8-for 12. Pau Gasol had 13 points and nine rebounds for the Lakers, who can finish off the Nuggets in Los Angeles Tuesday night. Danilo Gallinari led the Nuggets with 20 points. -- AP