WASHINGTON — Avoiding overtime in Game 6 when Paul Pierce’s potential tying 3-pointer was released after the clock expired, the Atlanta Hawks made it to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time by beating the Washington Wizards 94-91 on Friday night.

The Hawks held on thanks primarily to DeMarre Carroll’s playoff career-high 25 points, including two layups in the last minute off assists from Jeff Teague.

Washington Wizards guard John Wall drives against Atlanta Hawks forward Pero Antic on Friday their NBA playoff games in Washington. The Hawks won and advance to the conference finals against Cleveland. The Associated Press

After Al Horford went 1 of 2 from the free throw line for a three-point lead, the Wizards inbounded the ball with 6.4 seconds left. They got the ball to Pierce, who won Game 3 on a banked-in buzzer-beater, then put Washington briefly ahead late in Game 5 with a 3. This time, his 3 from the corner swished through, but a replay review determined it was too late.

Atlanta hosts LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the conference finals on Wednesday.

WARRIORS 108, GRIZZLIES 95: Stephen Curry scored 32 points, including a 62-footer to end the third quarter, and visiting Golden State advanced to its first Western Conference finals since 1976.

The Warriors advanced with some of the best shooting in the NBA postseason since 1985, becoming the first team since then to hit 14 or more 3s in three consecutive playoff games. Curry was 8 of 13 from beyond the arc as the Warriors knocked down a playoff-best 15 3-pointers, closing out Memphis with their third straight win.

Curry, who had 10 assists, had the shot of the night after Andre Iguodala blocked Jeff Green’s shot near midcourt. Curry grabbed the loose ball and beat the buzzer from the Grizzlies’ 3-point line for a 76-68 lead.

Related Stories