The Brooklyn Nets kept their NBA playoff hopes alive Thursday with a 95-92 victory over the short-handed Chicago Bulls that forced a deciding game seven in their Eastern Conference first-round series. Deron Williams scored 17 points, handed out 11 assists and won a jump ball against Chicago's Joakim Noah in the closing seconds to seal the victory. Brook Lopez and Joe Johnson chipped in another 17 points each and Gerald Wallace added 15 for the Nets, who will host the series decider in Brooklyn on Saturday.

Los Angeles, May 1 (EFE).- The Memphis Grizzlies used their powerful inside game and suffocating defense to full effect in a 103-93 playoff victory over the injury-hit Los Angeles Clippers, who are now a game away from elimination. Power forward Zach Randolph scored 25 points and grabbed 11 rebounds and center Marc Gasol added 21 points and eight rebounds for Memphis here Tuesday night at Staples Center, while a high ankle sprain severely limited Clippers star Blake Griffin's impact.

Basketball center Jason Collins on Monday became the first active player in a major American professional team sport to reveal he is gay -- a groundbreaking disclosure greeted with broad support. The 34-year-old free agent who has played for six NBA teams over the past 12 seasons, went public with his sexuality in an essay published on Sports Illustrated magazine's website. "I didn't set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport," Collins said. "But since I am, I'm happy to start the conversation."

Basketball center Jason Collins on Monday became the first active player in a major American professional team sport to reveal he is gay -- a groundbreaking disclosure greeted with broad support. Collins, a 34-year-old free agent who has played for six NBA teams over the past 12 seasons, went public with his sexuality in an essay published on Sports Illustrated magazine's website. "I didn't set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport. But since I am, I'm happy to start the conversation," Collins said.