PLAYOFFS 1st ROUND RESULTS
WEST
(8) LA Lakers defeats (1) Sacramento 3-1
In a huge upset, the No. 8 seed LA Lakers once again caused a playoff boilover against the Sacramento Kings from a lower seed. The Lakers used strong play by rookie PG Leo "Seraph" Reyes in the 1st 3 games (before he was injured) to take a 2-1 lead, and were able to hold on and take the series in 4.
LA Lakers: L. Reyes - 3 games (injured), 17.3ppg, 3.3rpg, 7.0apg, 1.33spg, 1.0TOpg, 47.4% FG, 31.6% 3Pt, 83.3% FT
Sacramento: M. Bibby - 16.5ppg, 8.5apg, 1.50spg, 39.1% FG, 28.6% 3Pt.
(4) Dallas defeats (5) Houston 3-2
This was a very unusual series for these 2 teams as it was very low scoring and the Mavs found a way to advance. Dallas was able to win this 5 game slugfest without breaking the 90 point barrier. Times have definitely changed I guess.
Dallas: D. Nowitzki - 20.4ppg, 8.6rpg, 1.40bpg, 1.40spg, 96.2% FT
Houston: T. McGrady - 2520ppg, 9.2rpg, 5.6apg, 3.40spg, 53.9% FG, 50.0% 3Pt, 81.8% FT
Houston: H. Glow - 10.4ppg, 2.6rpg, 1.8apg, 1.40spg, 31.7% FG, 31.6% 3Pt, 100.0% FT
(6) Memphis defeats (3) Minnesota 3-1
Another upset as the Grizzlies blew away the Timberwolves in 4 games, including a 44 point drubbing to win the series. So much for MVP Kevin Garnett, who once again choked when it mattered. Gasol and the Grizzlies are moving on as they try to advance to their franchise's 1st NBA Finals appearance in their history.
Memphis: P. Gasol - 18.5ppg, 10.5rpg, 3.0apg, 1.50bpg, 1.50spg, 55.8% FG, 88.9% FT
Minnesota: W. Szczerbiak - 12.8ppg, 7.8rpg, 35.2% FG, 0.0% 3Pt (0/8), 59.1% FT
(2) San Antonio defeats (7) Denver 3-2
For a moment there it looked like the Spurs might lose this one, but they dug deep and won tough games in Games 3 and 5, and their experience was the decisive factor in this one.
San Antonio: T. Duncan - 22.8ppg, 11.8rpg, 3.0apg, 1.40spg, 1.20bpg, 54.1% FG
Denver: C. Anthony - 25.6ppg, 10.4rpg, 5.4apg, 1.80spg, 1.20bpg, 53.5% FG, 57.1% 3Pt, 82.4% FT
EAST
(1) Detroit defeats (8) Indiana 3-2
As with the Spurs, the Pistons needed their backs to be against the wall to wake up. Wake up they did as they easily won the final 2 games of the series to win in 5 games.
Detroit: R. Wallacel - 23.2ppg, 10.4rpg, 2.80bg, 2.60spg
Indiana: J. Tinsley - 11.4ppg, 3.4rpg, 6.0apg, 2.20spg, 32.2% FG, 31.2% 3Pt.
(4) Washington defeats (5) Orlando 3-2
This was a back-and-forth series that was hard to pick. The final 2 games were both decided by one single point, and the Magic have to be crushed with this loss. Sit's going fishing I guess. As for the Wizards, congrats to them as they have had a long playoff drought, and they are finally back in the mix.
Washington: A. Jamison - 24.4ppg, 11.8rpg, 2.00spg, 1.00bpg, 53.1% FG, 90.5% FT
Washington: S. Biason - 2.8ppg, 0.4rpg, 0.6apg, 38.5% FG, 50.0% 3Pt, 60.0% FT
Orlando: S. Francis - 14.8ppg, 4.6rpg, 5.8apg, 2.20spg, 37.7% FG, 18.2% 3Pt
Orlando: W. Sit - 1.0ppg
(3) New York defeats (6) Boston 3-0
Knicks blew the Celtics out of the water in 3 straight games. I had a feeling Knicks would roll of the C's and they did. The Truth's superb series didn't make a difference as Starbury and the Knicks advance to the 2nd Round.
New York: S. Marbury - 20.3ppg, 4.0rpg, 13.3apg, 2.00spg, 1.33TOpg, 35.1% FG, 16.7% 3Pt, 86.4% FT
Boston: P. Pierce - 35.0ppg, 7.0rpg, 6.0apg, 2.00spg, 55.6% FG, 43.5% 3Pt, 83.3% FT
(7) Charlotte defeats (2) Miami 3-2
I think a lot of people had a feeling that this was going to be close with the young Bobcats winning in 5 gruelling games. Unbelievably, the home team did not win a single game in this series. Fortunately for Charlotte, they were the lower seed. Meka was great in this series, but the real question on everyone's lips is if this is the last we will see of Shaq. I hope not.
Charlotte: E. Okafor - 19.6ppg, 12.4rpg, 1.80bpg, 58.2% FG, 28.6% FT (6/21)
Charlotte: A. Watson - 3.3ppg, 33.3% FG, 28.6% 3Pt
Miami: B. Cook - 5.6ppg, 7.6rpg