Chicago wilted in its first game without its dynamic point guard, coughing up an eight-point lead as the Sixers evened the series before heading back to Philadelphia.
Theirs was the second of two Tuesday night games to go to the road team, as the Celtics also won in Atlanta to pull that series to 1-1.
The Lakers broke the trend in the Western Conference, taking a 2-0 series lead over the Denver Nuggets.
Here are the recaps from the games that took place Tuesday, May 1. Be sure to check out more of our in-depth Associated Press recaps and previews.
Philadelphia 76ers 109, Chicago Bulls 92
CHICAGO — Jrue Holiday scored 26 points, Lou Williams added 20, and the Philadelphia 76ers beat Chicago 109-92 on Tuesday night to even their first-round series in the Bulls' first game since Derrick Rose's season-ending knee injury. Read the complete story here.
Boston Celtics 87, Atlanta Hawks 80
ATLANTA — Paul Pierce battled through another tough shooting night to score 36 points, and the Boston Celtics wiped out Atlanta's 11-point lead in the second half even without Rajon Rondo, stunning the Hawks 87-80 on Tuesday in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference playoffs. Read the complete story here.
Los Angeles Lakers 104, Denver Nuggets 100
LOS ANGELES — Kobe Bryant scored 38 points, Andrew Bynum followed up his playoff-opening triple-double with 27 points and nine rebounds, and the Los Angeles Lakers weathered Denver's late rally for a 104-100 victory over the Nuggets on Tuesday night, taking a 2-0 series lead. Read the complete story here.