Basketball

ATLANTA (AP) — Jaylen Brown took off the mask — revealing a guy who suddenly couldn’t miss.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Anthony Edwards stared straight into his locker after Minnesota's loss to Denver in Game 3 , reflecting on the Timberwolves being on the brink of elimination.

Los Angeles Clippers (44-38, fifth in the Western Conference) vs. Phoenix Suns (45-37, fourth in the Western Conference) Phoenix; Tuesday, 10 p.m.

Atlanta Hawks (41-41, seventh in the Eastern Conference) vs. Boston Celtics (57-25, second in the Eastern Conference) Boston; Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. EDT FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK NBA LINE : Celtics -11.5; over/under is 231.

NEW YORK (AP) — Jalen Brunson scored 29 points, RJ Barrett had 26 and the New York Knicks took a 3-1 lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers in their first-round series with a 102-93 victory on Sunday.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Memphis agitator Dillon Brooks believes his image as an NBA villain contributed to the decision to eject him from Game 3 of the Grizzlies' playoff series with the Los Angeles Lakers after he struck LeBron James in the groin.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Stephen Curry thought he had a perfect plan, until it backfired. The reigning NBA Finals MVP called a timeout the defending champions didn't have — and nearly cost Golden State a crucial playoff game.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — First, Draymond Green suggested to Warriors coach Steve Kerr that he come off the bench for Game 4 against the Sacramento Kings after Golden State had played so brilliantly without him.

ATLANTA (AP) — Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart was cleared to play in Game 4 on Sunday night against the Atlanta Hawks after landing hard on his tailbone.

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Knicks have had so few chances to join the NBA postseason party that they might forget the real fun hasn’t even started yet. “There’s nothing to celebrate,” Jalen Brunson said. “There’s nothing to be truly happy about.