The Chicago Bulls have knocked the Miami Heat out of the NBA playoffs while the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks and Toronto Raptors are just one loss away from being eliminated.

Ben Gordon netted 24 points and Luol Deng contributed 22 as the Bulls overturned a four-point half-time deficit to run away with a 92-79 victory over the Heat.

Dwyane Wade tried hard for the Heat with 24 points of his own, but he received little support, with team-mates Shaquille O'Neal (16 points) and Alonzo Mourning (14 points) the only ones to score in double figures.

The 4-0 whitewash to the Bulls advances them to the next round of the playoffs, where they will face the Detroit Pistons.

In Los Angeles, Steve Nash scored 17 points, and dished out an amazing 23 assists as the Phoenix Suns put the Lakers on the brink of elimination from the playoffs with a resounding 113-100 victory.

Amare Stoudemire (27 points) and Shawn Marion (22 points) teamed well with Nash, while Kobe Bryant top-scored for the Lakers with 31 points.

In Oakland, Baron Davis hit 33 points as the Golden State Warriors took a 3-1 series lead over the Dallas Mavericks with a 103-99 victory.

Despite the Mavericks owning the best record during the regular season, the Warriors have dominated the team from Dallas throughout the year.

Jason Richardson (22 points) and Stephen Jackson (19 points) came up with some huge plays in the final quarter as the Warriors overturned an eight-point deficit with a little over seven minutes remaining in the game.

Jerry Stackhouse top-scored for the Mavericks with 24 points, while German Dirk Nowitzki chipped in with 23 points.

The series will now head back to Dallas, with the Mavericks needing to win the remaining three games to progress to the next round of the playoffs.

In New Jersey, Vince Carter (27 points) and Richard Jefferson (23 points) made sure the New Jersey Nets took a 3-1 lead over the Raptors with a commanding 102-81 victory.

Point-guard Jason Kidd was everywhere for the Nets, finishing the match with 17 points, eight rebounds and 13 assists, while Andrea Bargnani top-scored for the Raptors with 16.

NBA RESULTS
Miami Heat 79 Chicago Bulls 92 - Bulls win series 4-0
New Jersey Nets 102 Toronto Raptors 81 - Nets lead series 3-1
Los Angeles Lakers 100 Phoenix Suns 113 - Suns lead series 3-1
Golden State Warriors 103 Dallas Mavericks 99 - Warriors lead series 3-1