The Milwaukee Bucks needed a late game-winning layup from Jerryd Bayless to keep alive their hopes of winning their first-round playoff series as they clinched a narrow 92-90 win over the Chicago Bulls.

The Bulls knew that victory in game four would send them through to the Eastern Conference semi-finals, but it was the home side who had the better start, opening up a 12-point lead midway through the second quarter.

Jimmy Butler and Pau Gasol got Chicago back on level terms by half time, before Derrick Rose had a chance to put the visitors in front late on, only to see his shot blocked by Khris Middleton.

Mistakes cost the Bulls throughout the second half as they finished the game with 28 turnovers, eight of which were made by Rose.

Rose's late miss allowed Bayless to lose the point guard with a move along the baseline, giving him room to find the target at the buzzer and keep Milwaukee in the series.

The Bulls will have another chance to seal the series on Monday, in front of their own fans at the United Center.