Bucks score big early, beat Hawks for first win

MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin // The Milwaukee Bucks rode a big first quarter to an eventual 107-89 victory over the Atlanta Hawks yesterday, trimming the Hawks' lead in their Eastern Conference playoff series to 2-1. Milwaukee outscored Atlanta 36-19 in the first period and were never threatened after that in their first home game of the best-of-seven series. John Salmons scored 22 points for the Bucks, while Joe Johnson led Atlanta with 25 points.

Game Four is tomorrow in Milwaukee. Earlier, Jameer Nelson scored 32 points to guide the Orlando Magic to a 90-86 win over the Charlotte Bobcats 90-86 and take a 3-0 lead in their Eastern Conference series. The Magic can wrap up the series tomorrow. In the Western Conference, Brandon Roy came back from knee surgery to help the Portland Trail Blazers defeat the Phoenix Suns 96-87 and even their series at 2-2.

LaMarcus Aldridge had 31 points and 11 rebounds for Portland. Roy, who did not start the game, came off the bench and finished with 10 points. * Reuters