Subdued Bucks Advance

The Milwaukee Bucks won’t give themselves much time to enjoy their first NBA playoff series victory in 12 years.

Ray Allen scored 26 points and Sam Cassell had 14 of his 25 points in the third quarter as the Bucks defeated the Magic, 112-104, Tuesday night at Orlando, Fla., to win their first-round series, 3-1.

“We have a day, maybe, to celebrate, but we’re hoping to make this a beginning, not a celebration,” Milwaukee Coach George Karl said.

The Bucks, who hadn’t won an NBA playoff series since 1989, advanced to face Charlotte in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

The Magic was led by 25 points from Tracy McGrady, who set an NBA playoff record for a four-game series with 123 field-goal attempts while averaging 33.8 points.

Milwaukee scored 75 points in the second and third quarters to take control.

Orlando Coach Doc Rivers said he knew his team was in trouble early when the Magic built a 16-point lead in the second quarter.

“When you play at that pace against a team like the Bucks, you are saying that we are going to try to outgun you--and you cannot outgun them,” Rivers said.

Dallas 107, Utah 77--The Mavericks are growing up fast.

Dirk Nowitzki scored 16 of his 33 points in the third quarter, and Steve Nash had 27 points as the playoff-novice Mavericks used a 24-6 run spanning the third and fourth quarters at Dallas to force a decisive fifth game.

The series finale will be Thursday night at Salt Lake City.

Michael Finley had 20 points and 13 rebounds for Dallas.

Utah’s John Starks, back from testicular surgery for the first time since the opener, and Donyell Marshall were both ejected in the final 10 minutes.

Karl Malone led Utah with 25 points.

Around the League

Giving Dan Issel at least another year to rebuild the Denver Nuggets, team owner Stan Kroenke allowed him to keep his dual position as coach and president of basketball operations. After going 35-47 in 1999-2000, the Nuggets went 40-42 in Issel’s second season but failed to make the playoffs for the sixth consecutive year. . . . Toronto Raptor forward Charles Oakley criticized teammate Vince Carter for trying to deflect attention away from himself and onto the team as he struggles in the playoff again. “All the plays go through Vince. The focus on Vince has been there all year. You can’t shy away from it now,” said Oakley of Carter, averaging 18.3 points in the playoffs, almost 10 below his regular-season average. “This is the time you have to step up and be a man about it, you know?” . . . Milwaukee Buck swingman Tim Thomas was fined $5,000 by the NBA for making an obscene gesture toward fans during Saturday’s Game 3 loss at Orlando.