Blazers even series with Suns

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Brandon Roy made a surprising return from knee surgery and scored 10 points, including a key 3-pointer in the fourth quarter, and the Portland Trail Blazers evened their playoff series with the Phoenix Suns at two games apiece with a 96-87 victory on Saturday.

LaMarcus Aldridge had 31 points and 11 rebounds for the Blazers, who unexpectedly activated Roy shortly before the game, eight days after he had arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee.

Roy didn't start and played a relatively quiet 26 minutes, but hit a 3-pointer with 4:55 left that gave Portland a 85-79 lead and swung the momentum of a close game.

Amare Stoudemire led the Suns with 26 points. The series returns to Phoenix on Monday night.

Magic 90, Bobcats 86

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Jameer Nelson scored 32 points and Orlando overcame Dwight Howard's continuing foul trouble and a loud, towel-waving crowd in Charlotte's return to the playoff stage to beat the Bobcats and take a commanding 3-0 lead in their first-round series.

Howard played only 26 minutes and fouled out with 3:32 left. But Nelson had a key bucket down the stretch and backup center Marcin Gortat hit two free throws with 12 seconds left to put it away.

Stephen Jackson scored 19 points, but was 6 of 18 from the field and missed a key 3-pointer in the final minute for the Bobcats.

Bucks 107, Hawks 89

MILWAUKEE (AP) - John Salmons scored 22 points on 9-of-11 shooting and Milwaukee never let up after a hot start in a victory over Atlanta in Game 3.

Atlanta still leads the series 2-1 after two double-digit victories at home, when the Bucks looked overmatched without the injured Andrew Bogut.

But veteran Kurt Thomas had eight points, 13 rebounds and four stitches, rookie Brandon Jennings added 13 points and Milwaukee proved that the Hawks may have to "Fear the Deer" after all.

Joe Johnson scored 25 for Atlanta. Game 4 is Monday night in Milwaukee.

Thunder 110, Lakers 89

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Kevin Durant scored 22 points, Russell Westbrook added 18 points and eight rebounds, and Oklahoma City evened its first-round series against Los Angeles in Game 4.

For the second straight game, the Thunder capitalized on a significant edge at the foul line and on the boards despite the presence of the Lakers' 7-foot tandem of Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum.

Oklahoma City never trailed after the opening 5 minutes and led by double digits for the final three quarters in a thorough dismantling of the defending NBA champions.

Bynum had 13 points and 10 rebounds, and Gasol also scored 13 to lead Los Angeles. Kobe Bryant finished with only 12 points.

Game 5 is Tuesday night in Los Angeles.