Bucks Win to Lead Hawks 3-2 in NBA Playoffs; Nuggets Avoid Elimination

The Milwaukee Bucks won 91-87 to take a 3-2 lead over the Atlanta Hawks in the National Basketball Association playoffs, while the Denver Nuggets avoided elimination with a 116-102 win over the Utah Jazz.

Brandon Jennings scored 25 points for the Bucks, who overcame a three-point halftime deficit at Philips Arena in Atlanta. Al Horford had 25 points and 11 rebounds for the Hawks.

Milwaukee, which has won three straight games, can clinch the best-of-seven first-round series with a victory April 30 at home.

Carmelo Anthony finished with 26 points and 11 rebounds for the Nuggets and Chauncey Billups added 21 points as Denver closed to 3-2 in the series. Deron Williams had 34 points and 10 assists for Utah, while Carlos Boozer contributed 25 points and 16 rebounds at the Pepsi Center in Denver.

Game 6 is scheduled for tomorrow in Salt Lake City with a decider, if needed, on May 2 at Denver.

To contact the reporter on this story: Nancy Kercheval in Washington at nkercheval@bloomberg.net