May 25, 2006 2 min read

NHL playoffs Sabres hang on, take 2-1 lead in series

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) – Daniel Briere scored twice and the Buffalo Sabres hung on for a 4-3 win over the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday night.

Ales Kotalik had a goal and assist, and Chris Drury also scored to give the Sabres a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference finals series.

Buffalo rallied with four consecutive goals to take a 4-1 lead 13 minutes into the second period, taking advantage of Carolina’s lack of discipline.

Buffalo converted two of seven power-play chances, while Kotalik’s eventual winner came on a delayed penalty.

Eric Staal cut Buffalo’s lead to 4-3 with 4:08 remaining, but Buffalo weathered the final flurry in which Carolina outshot the Sabres 11-4 in the third period and 3-0 in the last 2 minutes.

NBA playoffs

Suns 121, Mavericks 118

DALLAS (AP) – The Dallas Mavericks still can’t stop Phoenix’s inside-and-outside playoff combination, even with Amare Stoudemire on the bench this year.

Boris Diaw took over Stoudemire’s starring role from last postseason, scoring 34 points – including a turnaround 7-footer with 0.5 seconds left – to cap a tremendous closing finish, sending the Suns past tin a thrilling, fast-paced start to the Western Conference finals.

Steve Nash remained the outside force, scoring 27 points and adding 16 assists, the most by anyone this postseason and one shy of his career playoff high.

Devin Harris scored a career-high 30 points for Dallas and Dirk Nowitzki had 26 points and 19 rebounds.

The Mavs seemed in control, leading 114-105 with 3:43 left, when Nash began playing like the league’s two-time MVP. He scored 10 straight points, then fed Shawn Marion on a go-ahead dunk with 43 seconds left.

Harris put Dallas back ahead with a 16-foot jumper with 4.8 seconds left. But after a timeout, Diaw took the inbounds pass, pump-faked defender Jerry Stackhouse, then spun and swished the winning basket from the right side of the lane.