NBA Playoffs: Cavs, Spurs Take 3-0 Series Leads; C's Cut Into Hawks Series Lead To 2-1

Three games were played on Friday as the NBA Playoffs' first round continued.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Auburn Hills, Michigan:

Kyrie Irving scored 26 points while Lebron James (who grabbed 13 rebounds, and dished out seven assists) and Kevin Love each added 20 as the Cleveland Cavaliers took a commanding three-games-to-none conference quarterfinal series lead over the Detroit Pistons following their 101-91 road win in game three.  The Cavalier can close out the Pistons (who have lost eleven straight playoff games to Cleveland and nine consecutive overall) with a game-four road win at Auburn Hills.

At Boston:

Isaiah Thomas scored a career-high 42 points as the Boston Celtics defeated the visiting Atlanta Hawks 111-103 in game three of their opening-round series, which the Hawks still lead two games to one.  Jeff Teague scored 23 to pace Atlanta while Kent Bazemore and Dennis Schroder each added 20 to the Hawks' coffers.



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Memphis:

Kawhi Leonard scored 32 points as the San Antonio Spurs defeated the home-standing Memphis Grizzlies 96-87 in game three of their conference quarterfinal series to stretch their advantage to three games to none.  Zach Randolph topped the Grizzlies with 20 points while grabbing eleven rebounds.  

The Spurs can close out the series on Sunday with a game-four victory in Memphis.