The Franklin Bulls have consolidated their hold on a top-three spot in the National Basketball League, with an 88 to 80 road win over the Hawkes Bay Hawks in Napier

The victory takes the Bulls to a 10-win, three-loss record ... the Hawks slip to eighth, with a 5 win, 5 loss record.

In America's NBA playoffs ... the Los Angeles Clippers have beaten the Denver Nuggets 117 to 83, to take a 2-1 lead in their Western Conference series.

The Detroit Pistons' terrible home record in the post-season continues after going down 118 to 116 to the visiting New York Knicks ... the Pistons have still not won a home playoff game since 2008.