NBA PLAYOFF ROUNDUP : Reserve Brandon Fuels Cavaliers to Victory

Terrell Brandon replaced an ineffective Mark Price midway through the first quarter and helped lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 99-89 victory over the New Jersey Nets Sunday in the fifth game of their first-round series at Richfield, Ohio.

The Cavaliers advanced to a second-round series against the Chicago Bulls, who have eliminated Cleveland from the playoffs three times since 1988. The best-of-seven series begins Tuesday in Chicago.

The Cavaliers trailed by two when Brandon replaced Price. Brandon scored 10 points and the Cavaliers led, 47-38, when Price returned at the start of the second half.

Brad Daugherty of the Cavaliers finished with 24 points and set a team playoff record with 20 rebounds. Larry Nance added 20 points and 12 rebounds. Price scored 16 second-half points.

Derrick Coleman, limited to eight points during the first half, finished with 33 points and 16 rebounds for the Nets.

Chris Morris added 21 points and 12 rebounds. Drazen Petrovic was held to 11 points on four-for-10 shooting.

Petrovic, who led the Nets in scoring the past two seasons, said he probably would return to playing in Europe, where he began his professional career.

“It’s not money any more. It’s not down to money,” Petrovic said. “It’s just my desire to go back to where I started playing basketball. I would say it’s probable, 95%.”

New York 111, Charlotte 95--Patrick Ewing scored 33 points and the Knicks shut down Alonzo Mourning and the Hornets during the second half at New York to win their Eastern Conference semifinal playoff opener.

Mourning was held to six points after he scored 21 during the first half. He made seven of 12 shots in the first half, but three of nine in the second. Nine of his 13 rebounds came during the first half.

The Hornets led most of the way even though Larry Johnson suffered a sprain above his right ankle a minute into the game, forcing him to the sidelines after he made two baskets in the first 46 seconds. Johnson returned during the third quarter, but finished with only nine points.