Pacers, Celtics Advance; Pistons Stay Alive, Nuggets Lead Series

The Indiana Pacers eliminated the Milwaukee Bucks in dramatic fashion, finishing their series 4-1 after an overtime victory capped by Tyrese Haliburton’s game-winning layup and an 8-0 run in the final seconds. The Boston Celtics advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals by defeating the Orlando Magic, with Jayson Tatum leading the team to a decisive win and setting up a matchup against either the New York Knicks or Detroit Pistons. The Denver Nuggets took a 3-2 lead over the Los Angeles Clippers behind Jamal Murray’s 43-point performance, while Russell Westbrook and Nikola Jokic also made key contributions. The Knicks and Nuggets are each one win away from advancing, bolstered by recent roster additions like Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, and Westbrook. Meanwhile, the Pistons stayed alive in their series with strong veteran play from Tobias Harris. These playoffs have highlighted the importance of team depth, as seen in the Pacers’ and Nuggets’ successes.