|
|
| He could have been the MVP, but New Orleans guard Chris Paul would be much happier with another win, for the Hornets are now in firm command of their Western Conference semifinal series against the Spurs. Tonight, Paul led the way to a 101-79 whopping of the San Antonio, shooting 6-of-18 from the field, 1-of-2 from long range, and 9-of-11 from the charity stripe to score 22 points. |
Our View: As is often the case, the true gift Paul brings to the party is the dime, a.k.a. the prolific assist, of which Paul totaled 14 on the evening, a stack that includes outstanding passes to forward David West who took those gifts and played Santa Claus for the town of New Orleans. Now the team sits in full view of the Western Conference finals, and with one more win will move ahead.
|
|
|
|
| The New Orleans Hornets have enjoyed life on their home court, and this night was more of the same as the Hornets walk away from a 101-79 drubbing of the San Antonio Spurs. Leading the way was forward David West , using the outstanding assists from guard Chris Paul to go 16-of-25 from the floor and 6-of-7 from the charity stripe to score 38 points, also adding an amazing 14 rebounds, five assist, two steals, and a whopping five blocked shots in what may rate as the most commanding performance of this series. |
Our View: West was simply en fuego, couldn't miss and could do no wrong. Now his team sits in command over the defending champ and could set the stage for a rise to the Western Conference finals.
|
|
|
|
| The Spurs have taken a fall and now stare up at must-win games, falling 101-79 in Game 5 to the New Orleans Hornets to go down 3-2 in the Western Conference semifinals. The Spurs were led by guard Manu Ginobili , shooting just 5-of-15 from the floor, 3-of-7 from long range, and 7-of-8 from the free-throw line to score 20 points, adding seven assists to an otherwise faltered stat line. |
Our View: Ginobili didn't get the job done and failed to convert on a rather large number of shots for him, and now the Spurs must find a way to prevail in Game 6 to stay alive.
|
|
|
|
| We reached the half and appeared to be on our way to an entertaining matchup, but the end of the 3rd quarter, the San Antonio Spurs had all but surrendered to the New Orleans Hornets, falling 101-79 in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinal battle. Team general forward Tim Duncan went 5-for-18 from the floor and just 0-for-1 at the free-throw line to score 10 points. |
Our View: If not for his 23 rebounds, and the Spurs would have suffered a worst fate, but now down 3-2 in the series is penalty enough.
|
|
|
|
| The Detroit Pistons have come together as a team and put the Orlando Magic to bed, scoring the 91-86 victory in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series to move forward to the finals, taking the series 4-1. This evening, the Pistons once again enjoyed the surge from guard Richard Hamilton . Rip shot a woeful 7-of-20 from the field, but he matched with a perfect 16-of-16 from the free-throw line to score a team-high 31 points. |
Our View: As usual, his other numbers lacked, but the scoring put Detroit in the driver's seat and now they look forward to the next round.
|
|
|
|
| The Orlando Magic have seen their season come to an end, suffering the 91-86 defeat in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference semifinals against the Detroit Pistons. The Magic were led by forward Hedo Turkoglu , shooting 8-of-15 from the floor, 0-of-2 from the three-point line, and 2-of-2 from the charity stripe to score a team-leading 18 points. |
Our View: Turk also added nine rebounds and seven assists to the stat line, but it was not enough.
|
|
|
|
| Six of the players from the Orlando Magic posted double-digit scoring totals this evening, but none managed to crack the 20-point benchmark as the team fell short in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series, losing to Detroit 91-86. Team leader center Dwight Howard shot just 4-of-8 from the field and a disappointing 6-of-15 from the free-throw line to score a lowly 14 points, and while he added 17 rebounds and three blocked shots to the effort, it was well short of the team's needs. |
Our View: Now their season is done as the Pistons have taken the series 4-1, and Howard can start to think about next season.
|
|
|
|
| Kobe Bryant (back spasms) skipped practice again on Tuesday, but he still says he will be ready to play in Game 5 on Wednesday, according to the Los Angeles Times. "The last game was kind of an indicator for me, so if it is that bad -- I don't think it'll be that bad again -- but if it is, I kind of know what I can and can't do already." |
Our View: Bryant will clearly be limited because of the injury, but they don't award any points for second place in the playoffs so look for Kobe to suck it up and do what he can to help the Lakers overcome the Jazz.
|
|
|
|
| Contradicting earlier reports, it now looks as if Chauncey Billups will not play in Game 5 because of a strained right hamstring, according to the Associated Press. |
Our View: Despite encouraging news earlier in the day, it seems like Billups just isn't well enough to play meaning the Pistons will have to lean on Lindsey Hunter and Rodney Stuckey to pick up the slack.
|
|
|
|
| Houston forward Luis Scola landed on the NBA All-Rookie Team, according to the AP. Scola enjoyed a solid debut campaign as he averaged 10.3 points, 6.4 boards, 1.3 assists, and 0.7 steals over 82 games. He also shot 51% from the field. |
Our View: He averaged 14 points and 9.3 boards over six hard fought playoff battles against Utah.
|
|
|
|
| Jeff Green joins team-mate Kevin Durant on the NBA All-Rookie Team, according to the AP. Green earned the honor by averaging 10.5 points, 4.7 boards, 1.5 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.6 blocks over 80 contests. |
Our View: He edged out Toronto's Jamario Moon for a spot on the first team.
|
|
|
|
| Clippers' forward Al Thornton has earned a spot on the NBA All-Rookie Team, according to the AP. Thornton averaged 12.7 points, 4.5 boards, 1.2 assists, and 0.5 blocks over 79 games. |
Our View: He should make a more significant impact as a fantasy performer next season.
|
|
|
|
| Hawks' center Al Horford has been named to the NBA All-Rookie Team, according to the AP. Horford averaged 10.1 points, 9.7 boards, 1.5 assists, and 0.9 blocks over 81 games. |
Our View: Horford also led all rookies with 25 double-doubles, and guided the Hawks to their first postseason appearance since 1999.
|
|
|
|
| Kevin Durant headlines this year's All-Rookie Team, according to the AP. Durant led all rookies in scoring at 20.3 points, and also averaged 4.4 rebounds per game this season. |
Our View: Durant was also named the NBA Rookie of the Year earlier in May. Durant scored 42 points in the final game of the regular season, and has a bright future ahead of him in Seattle.
|
|
|
|
| After watching Chauncey Billups participate in Tuesday morning's shootaround, team GM Joe Dumars said he thinks Billups will play in Game 5, according to ESPN. Dumars commented, "He was moving pretty good. I don't want to get ahead of myself, but I think he's going to try to give it a go tonight. That's what it looks like. But he looked really good today in shootaround." Dumars added, "We truly err on the side of caution here. We never try to push a guy out on the court and try to make him play. Chauncey's a guy who understands this. He's not the kind of guy who's going to go out there and do anything crazy and try it and hurt himself. If he plays, that means he really feels good enough to play. If he doesn't play, it's simply because he's saying, 'You now what, I don't want to risk anything."
|
Our View: Billups received treatment on his strained hamstring and went through a workout with strength and conditioning coach Arnie Kander before the practice. Detroit is up 3-1 in the series, and can close it out tonight in Detroit.
|
|
|
|
| Spurs' swingman Manu Ginobili has started both of the past two games (despite his Sixth Man of the Year award) and San Antonio has won both. He is reportedly still having issues with his ankle sprain. |
Our View: Ginobili has struggled somewhat from beyond the three-point arc, missing five of seven. He has taken more threes (30) than twos (29) in the four games, but has been much more productive shooting from close range (18 of 29) than from deep (nine of 30).
|
|
|
|
| No player has embodied New Orleans inconsistent play this series more than Peja Stojakovic. The shooting swingman was tops over the first two games, averaging 23.5 points and five boards in his team's two convincing wins. Yet in Games 3 and 4, Peja shot dismally, hitting just five of 16 total field-goal attempts and disappearing from the boards in Game 4. |
Our View: For New Orleans to get back on track, he needs to regain his stroke, and home cooking could be the cure to Peja's two-game ills.
|
|
|
|
| With Chauncey Billups out of Game 4, the Pistons got a solid combined fill-in effort from rookie guard Rodney Stuckey and veteran Lindsey Hunter. They combined for 14 points and six helpers. |
Our View: Billups is questionable for tonight's game, but the backcourt isn't the area of concern for the Pistons. They need only hold Dwight Howard down to give themselves a chance to close out Round 2 tonight.
|
|
|
|
| Rasheed Wallace, known for making outlandish guarantees (not Jameer Nelson), has been conspicuously quiet lately, but with his Detroit team in the 3-1 driver's seat in the series, Wallace likely doesn't want to rock the boat. |
Our View: That said, it will certainly be interesting to see how the fiery Wallace and his veteran teammates respond to Nelson's public declaration.
|
|
|
|
| Orlando has won four of the five times that center Dwight Howard has scored at least 20 points. |
Our View: They are 1-3 when Superman scores under 20.
|
|
|
|
| Even if Detroit point guard Chauncey Billups manages to suit up, he will have a tough time keeping up with Jameer Nelson, who is averaging 18.3 points and 4.7 assists per game over his past three outings. |
Our View: That said, with Nelson guaranteeing a Game 5 win, expect him to get more attention than usual from Detroit defenders and fans.
|
|
|
|
| Chauncey Billups is feeling better, but is yet to be cleared to play in Game 5 tonight, according to the Orlando Sentinel. He strained his hamstring back in Game 3, and sat out Game 4 due to the ailment. Strength and conditioning coach Arnie Kander said, "My key with this is no setbacks from day to day. If you look at it three or four days ago and compare it to today, it's night and day. He's running good and feeling good. He needs to be confident enough in his rehabilitation to play again." |
Our View: Detroit edged Orlando by one point (90-89) in Game 4 without Billups, and tonight's game is home in Detroit. The Pistons can win without Billups, but would have a much better chance to do so with him back in the lineup.
|
|
