Trio bounce back to tie play-offs

The Supersonics showed great team spirit to beat San Antonio

The Detroit Pistons, Seattle Supersonics and Dallas Mavericks grabbed vital wins on Sunday to level their respective play-off ties at 2-2.

The Pistons beat the Indiana Pacers 86-76 to level their Eastern Conference series thanks to 29 points from Chauncey Billups.

While over in the Western Conference, Seattle romped to a 101-89 victory over the San Antonio Spurs.

And the Mavericks defeated the Phoenix Suns 119-109.

The Supersonics, a surprise package during the regular season, turned in an impressive performance on home soil even without star forward Rashard Lewis, who was out with a sprained toe.

It's great any time you can win collectively - this game was definitely great Ray Allen Seattle Supersonics

Ray Allen scored 32 points while Luke Ridnor enjoyed an inspired third quarter grabbing 15 points and sinking all seven of his shots.

The Spurs relied heavily on Tim Duncan, who notched up 35 points and 10 rebounds. It is the third time San Antonio have let a 2-0 series lead slip in the conference semi-finals.

In Indianapolis, Detroit went on a 19-1 run in the first quarter thanks to some sharp shooting from Billups and Rasheed Wallace.

The Pacers closed the gap to just six points in the third but never look like overhauling the defending champions.

We just got out-played, out-hustled Steve Nash Phoenix Suns

Richard Hamilton scored 13 points for the Pistons while Antonio McDyess added 12 more off the bench.

Stephen Jackson led Indiana with 23 points but will look for more in game five on Tuesday.

In Dallas, Josh Howard top-scored with 29 points and 10 rebounds to turn round the Mavs' fortunes. Dirk Nowitzki also added 25 points.

Nash wins NBA MVP award

Steve Nash, the regular season MVP, had a career-best 48 points for the Suns but it was not enough to stave off defeat.

Nash connected on 20-of-28 shots, but Mavericks coach Avery Johnson said the Suns were more dangerous when Nash scored fewer points and got his teammates more involved.

"When Steve gets 28 points and 20 assists, they really hammer you pretty good," Johnson said. "That means a lot of other people are scoring.

"He had five assists tonight, nine turnovers, 48 big points. That's what MVP caliber players do. I thought we had a total team effort."

Game five takes place in Phoenix on Wednesday.