The Heat-Pacers clash was the highlight of a day when Minnesota made a powerful start which overwhelmed Portland, San Antonio ended Phoenix's winning streak, and father Doc Rivers got the bragging rights over son Austin Rivers as the Los Angeles Clippers defeated New Orleans.

Thursday's decider will be the first Game 7 to be played in an NBA Finals since the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Boston Celtics in 2010.

The ageless Ray Allen scored 23 points, and broke the NBA career playoff record for 3-pointers, as the Miami Heat used another of their patented runs to win 104-91 at the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday for a 3-0 lead in their first-round series.

Paul Pierce had 18 points and 11 rebounds, and Avery Bradley scored 22 points to lead the Boston Celtics to a 109-101 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday.

The Miami Heat escaped with a 105-100 win on Thursday over a San Antonio Spurs team that rested four starters in a move that will bring heavy penalties from the NBA.

Chris Bosh scored 40 points and Ray Allen sank the go-ahead basket while being fouled with 6.7 seconds remaining to spark the Miami Heat over the Denver Nuggets 119-116 in an NBA game on Saturday.

Veteran Celtics shooting guard Ray Allen is headed to the NBA champion Miami Heat, Heat owner Micky Arison said on Twitter on Friday.

Evan Turner made the go-ahead layup with 40.4 seconds left and Philadelphia held off Boston the rest of the way with six straight free throws as the 76ers evened the second-round Eastern Conference series with an 82-81 victory on Monday.

By the time Avery Bradley, who is recovering from a dislocated shoulder, sank a free throw to give the Boston Celtics a 37-point lead early in the third quarter, Paul Pierce was done for the night, riding a stationary bicycle under the stands and trying to keep his sore left knee from stiffening up.

Paul Pierce battled through another tough game to score 36 points and the Boston Celtics wiped out Atlanta's 11-point lead in the second half even without Rajon Rondo, stunning the Hawks 87-80 on Tuesday in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference playoffs.