Phoenix Suns Overwhelms Blazers

The Phoenix Suns is back once again in the 2nd round winning at the road at the expense of the young Portland Blazers. It was not as easy for the Phoenix Suns vowing to clinch the series. Jason Richardson scored 28 points on five 3-pointers and Amare Stoudemire, saddled with foul trouble 9early in the game, added 22 points as the Suns won over the Blazers, 99-90 . The Suns used a searing run right from the very start to make some headway into the game and even silence the Blazers. But all was responded well by the Blazers as they managed to weather the storm but still facing a 12 points deficit at the half, 41-53. The Suns continued what they had left off, as they lead by as much as 16. But Portland came back once gain as Jared Bayless hit a jump shot and LaMarcus Aldridge made the tying free-throw to take the count 76 all. But that was the last thing that the Blazers could offer as the Suns made a run on their own and there was no looking back extending the lead ,92-82, on a three pointer by Steve Nash. Portland's Brandon Roy had only 14 points as a starter. The Phoenix will now face the 7th seeded San Antonio Spurs in the 2nd round.


In other games:

The San Antonio Spurs outclassed the Nowtizki- led Dallas Mavericks with a 97-87 victory. Manu Ginobilii had 26 points and George Hill added 21 points. They lead by as much as 22 points but the Mavs cut down the deficit and eventually lead the game by one 57-56 on a three pointer by Nowitzki. But is was again regain by the Spurs in a three pointer by Manu Ginobili and a lay-up by Tim Duncan. Nowitzki is having a great series,scoring 33 points, Caron Butler added 25 points and Rodrigue BeauBois came from the bench to score 16 points, thus, providing the spark for the Mavs. The San Antonio Spurs will face the Phoenix Suns in the second round.

Bucks Upsets the Hawks in Game 5

It was the one of the nights by Ilyasova fumbling the ball at times and the defensive stand by the veteran Kurt Thomas as the Milwaukee Bucks handed the Atlanta Hawks with a surprising win 91-87, leading the series 3-2. The rookie Brandon Jennings plays like he will be entitled to be the NBA Rookie of the year, scored 12 of his 25 points in the first quarter. His four straight free throws sealed the win for the Bucks. The Hawks leads by as much as 13 points in the third quarter and even held the lead by nine points in the fourth quarter 82-73 with 4 minutes left in the game before Bucks made a run on a 4 footer by Ilyasova taking the lead 83-82. In the ensuing play, Ilyasova rebound the ball on a miss by Jennings and fumbled but made a quick pass to Delfino at the corner before Delfino made the 3 point shot making capping that 13-0 run by the Bucks. John Salmons added 19 points for the Bucks and Luke Ridnour came from the bench scoring 15 points. Atlanta's leading scorer Joe Johnson had only 13 points before fouling out with 2:15 in the game.Al Horford leads the Hawks with 25 points and 11 rebounds, Marvin Williams added 22 points and 6th Man of the Year awardee Jamal Crawford scored just 11 points on 4-of-18 shooting. A victory by the Bucks in Game 6 at their homecourt will complete the amazing run in the playoffs as they will try to upset the 3rd seed Hawks.

Denver Nuggets Survives Utah Jazz

The Denver Nuggets survives another day, beating the Utah Jazz 116-102 and cutting the deficit on their series 3-2. Carmelo Anthony was phenomenal once again leading his team scoring 26 points and 11 rebounds. JR Smith, heated up on the web after Carmelo Anthony said that he needs support from his teammates, scoring 17 points. Chauncey Billups and Kenyon martin had 21 and 18 points respectively. Deron Williams is as spectacular as usual for the Jazz scoring 34 points and 10 assists while Carlos Boozer had 25 points and 16 rebounds. The Utah Jazz will have another game to clinch the series in their homecourt on game 6.

Celtics against Cavaliers in the 2nd Round

The Boston Celtics edged out the Miami Heat in a closing the series 96-86 and will face the Cavaliers in the 2nd round. Ray Allen scored 24 points, Paul Pierce added 21 points, with Rajon Rondo chipped in 16 point, 12 assists and Garnett's 14 points. The C's was on their way to clinch the series that saw them lead by 21 points only to be clawed by the Heat to the slimmest of margin by 3 points, 73-70. But it was the last stand for the Heat as the C's made some headway into the game with Glen Davis scoring 7 points on that spurt. Dwyane Wade leads the Heat with 31 points and may be changing uniforms as a free agent in the next season.

With the early entry by the Boston Celtics in the 2nd round, the Cleveland Cavaliers will face them after clinching the series with victory against the Chicago Buls, 96-94. Antawn Jamison leads the Cavs with 25 points (20 in he first half), Lebron James scored 19 points dealing with a right sore elbow that saw him taking a free throw on his left hand on the later part of the game with the Cavs leading 96-92. The Cavaliers will now face the Boston Celtics in the second round. This promises to be a tough and exciting series.

In other Playoff games:


Lakers Roll Over the Thunder; Mavs Back In Contention

The renewed Los Angeles Lakers schooled the young Thunder with a 111-87 victory. This is a sweet victory for the Lakers that seems too old for the Thunder in Game 4. Kobe Bryant scored only 13 points but it was Pau Gasol's 25 point night and the 21 points by Andrew Bynum carried the Lakers with a must-win game 5 victory. Suffocating defense of Kobe Bryant off the energetic Russell Westbrook was also the turning point of the game for the Lakers as Westbrook scored only 15 points but had 8 turnovers. While Durant was checked scoring just 17 points for the Thunder. Game 6 will go back home for the Thunder trying to even the series but the Lakers are determined to put an end in this series with a game 6 victory on the road.

The Dallas Mavericks lives for another day as they upended the Spurs with a crucial game 5 win, 103-81. Caron Butler has a career playoff night racked up with 35 points and 11 rebounds for the Mavs.

Suns Scorches Blazers

The Phoenix Suns playing on its up tempo game down the Portland Trail Blazers with a game 5 win, 107-88 and clinch closer to end the series with a win game 6 at Portland. Amare Stoudemire and Steve Nash had a good game but it was the reserves that made the damage for the Suns. Channing Frye and Jared Dudley combined for 39 points off the bench with Frye scoring 20 points and Dudley 19. It was a blowout from the very start as the Blazers made a quick run in the first quarter leading with 14 points, 18-4. But the Suns wen on to their own run playing with a pace that they want. Amare Stoudemire added 19 points and Steve Nash has 14 points and 10 assists for the Suns. Portland never had a chance to closed the gap in the second half that saw the Suns race to a 22 point lead 90-68. Miller(21), Aldridge(17) and Bayless(17) did much to keep the game cloe for the Blazers. Brandon Roy, coming from a surprising return from a knee surgery was a non-factor on this game picking up a three quick fouls and managing only for 2 points in the first half, and eventually end up with 5 points.

On Other Playoff Games:

Orlando Magic Swept the Charlotte Bobcats 99-90 behind Vince Carter's 21 points. The Magic is the first team in the playoffs enters the second round.

Milwaukee Bucks won over the Atlanta hawks, 111-104 behind rookie Brandon Jennings (23 points), Carlos Delfino(22) on 6-of-8 from behind the arc and John Salmons (22 points) that tied the series 2-2.

Cavs Overpower Bulls

The Cleveland Cavaliers proving what they are worth for, demolishing the Bulls in the road 121-98. The game was tight in the first half with the Bulls leading 39-35 but a decisive run pushed the Cavs in top again triggered with a three pointer by James racing to a 62-52 lead in the first half. The Cavs carried the momentum in the third quarter pushing the lead for as much as 20 points. Lebron James was phenomenal in this game finishing with a triple double 37 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists. Antawn Jamison added 24 points and Mo William had 19 points. It is a sorry loss for the Bulls after a two point win on game 3 that could carry them to this game 4 win. Derrick Rose once again lead the Bulls with 21 points, Joakim Noah had another double-double of 21 points and 20 rebounds while Luol Deng added 16 points but no other player score more than 11 points for the Bulls. Kirk Hinrich, who had an spectacular game 3 , held down to 10 points on 3-of-13 shooting. Game 5 will be back in the Quicken Loans Arena where the Cavs will try to finished the series.

Other Playoff Games Results:

Monster Game by both Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams of the Utah Jazz, with their own double-double's overwhelms the 39 points by the Denver Nuggets leading scorer Carmelo Anthony, 117-106. Boozer finished with 31 points and 13 rebounds and Williams added 24 points and 13 assists.

George Hill's 29 points carried the win for the San Antonio Spurs over the Upset-prone Dallas Mavericks 92-89

A stellar 46-point performance by Dwyane Wade lives for another day as the Miami Heat finally won over the Boston Celtics 101-92

PBA All-Stars: North Outruns the South

The North All-Stars, with their speed and athleticism edge out the heavier and the taller South All-Stars 133-130 in the PBA All-Stars held at Puerto Princesa, Palawan. It was a tight match from start to finished, with the North making fastbreak plays and speeding up the tempo to overcome the heft and height by the South. Macmac Cardona lead the North All-Stars with 20 points but it was Gabe Norwood that set the tone of the game delivering some highlight plays and delivering clutch baskets down the stretch that made him won the MVP award in the recently concluded 2010 PBA All-Star game.

In other events:

The Sophomores outclassed the Rookies with a strong second half 106-87. Jared Dillinger of the Talk N Text was named the MVP of this game scoring 15 of his 18 points in the second half.

Nino Canaleta reclaimed the crown as the King of the Slam Dunk Contest.

Mark Macapagal of the Coca Cola Tigers won the PBA All-Star three point shootout.

San Miguel's Jonas Villanueva took the spotlight winning the Obstacle Challenge.

Thunder Tied Series With the Lakers

The Oklahoma City Thunder has now been the one of the nightmares for the defending champs in the playoffs as they clobbered the Lakers, 110-89 on Game 4, that tied the series 2-2. Kevin Durant lead the Thunder with 22 points, 8 short of his average in the season. But that was enough for the Thunder, as they put on their efforts together starting with Russell Westbrook making way with 16 points, setting his team with fastbreak plays, James Harden following up his good performance in Games 3 with 15 points and Jeff Green's 15 points as well. The Lakers had no answer for every Thunder run in the game and started the game slow, with Kobe Bryant busy passing the ball to his teammates in the post. Bryant finished only with 12 points. Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum had 13 points with no other Laker scoring over 13 points. Game 5 will be fun indeed with the Lakers going back home and the Thunder carrying the momentum.

In Other Games:

Comebacking Brandon Roy and a 31 point effort by LaMarcus Aldridge leads Blazers cruised past the Phoenix Suns 96-87-89

Miwaukee Bucks grounded the Hawks, 107-89

Orlando Magic down the Charlotte Bobcats 90-86