Basketball: Marks NBA playoff run comes to an end

New Zealand centre Sean Marks' New Orleans Hornets have been bundled out of the NBA play-offs when they were beaten 107-86 in Denver by the Nuggets today (NZT).

The match was tied 49-49 at halftime after the Hornets led 27-24 at the end of the first quarter, but a strong third quarter from the Denver Nuggets set up the decisive win as they secured the best-of-seven series 4-1.

The Nuggets advance to the second round of the play-offs, where they will meet the Dallas Mavericks, for the first time since 1994

Marks had a shade over 22 minutes on court today, ending the game with four points and five rebounds.

His best effort in the play-off series came in game three, won 95-93 by the Hornets in New Orleans earlier this week, when he finished with a career playoff-high eight points, six rebounds and two blocked shots.

- NZPA