Spurs 92, Suns 87 – San Antonio sends both the Suns and their coach packing after a five-game series, despite only getting double digits out of two players: Tim Duncan’s 29 and Tony Parker’s 31. The Spurs take out the Suns for the fourth time in the last five years of the playoffs — complete with a 23-15 domination of the fourth quarter, in which Phoenix had seven turnovers, four by point guard Steve Nash.
Hornets 99, Mavericks 94 – Who were the people thinking Dallas would win this series, that playoff experience would mean something? Well, considering the Mavericks’ recent playoff history (that travesty of a 2006 Finals combined with the upset by Golden State last year), this could have been foreseen. Giving up a triple-double to Chris Paul in what turned out to be the end of their season, the Mavericks seal the doom that was foisted upon them when the organization decided that Jason Kidd at 35 was a better option than a much younger Devin Harris. Maybe Harris could have kept up with Paul. We’ll never know. But Dallas’ window is now shut — for at least another year, too.
Pistons 98, 76ers 81 – 21 for Chauncey, 20 for Rip, 19 for Rasheed. This is how the Pistons play when they’re motivated enough to do so. They kept the Sixers in check, not allowing a player other than Andre Iguodala in double figures until the third quarter. Detroit now has a series lead for the first time at 3-2.
Rockets 95, Jazz 96 – Houston just made Utah look flat tonight, and with T-Mac leading the way with 29, the Rockets have staved off elimination once again. The Jazz had a night to forget: 36% shooting, just barely over 50% from the free throw line, 2-for-9 from 3, and 18 turnovers.
Photo: AP/Eric Gay
Filed under: Above The Rim, NBA, NBA Playoffs | Tagged: Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, New Orleans Hornets, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz
