Magic go up 3-2

The Orlando Magic took game 5 in Orlando 91-78 over the Philadelpha 76ers. Despite controversy Dwight Howard posted his 4th career playoff 20-20 game, posting 24 points and 24 rebounds. Magic forward Rashard Lewis added 24 points of his own. Sixer Andre Iguodala led all scorers with 26 points. Andre Miller, 17 points, and Willie Green, 16 points, contributed to the effort by the Sixers.
Howard was awarded a technical foul for elbowing Sixer center Samuel Dalembert in the back of the head after jocking for rebound position. The League would review this play and decide a suspension was necessary. Howard is suspended for game 6 in Philadelphia much to the shagrin of Magic fans. Later in the game Howard went for a blocked shot and while coming down he accidentaly elbowed his own teammate Courtney Lee across the face. Lee would leave the game. Hospital tests proved Lee to have a broken sinus. Lee will miss Game 6 as well.
Game 6 will be Thusrday April 30

Dallas takes series

The Dallas Mavericks proved to be too much for the San Antonio Spurs taking game 5 and the series in their 106-93 win. Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavs with 31 points and 9 rebounds. All 5 starters for the Mavs scored in double figures as well as 6th Man of the year award winner Jason Terry. Terry came off the bench to score 19 points. The Spurs sorely missed the scoring capabilities of guard Manu Ginobili in the postseason. Tony Parker and Tim Duncan once again did what they could in a losing effort. Duncan managed 30 points and 8 rebounds while Parker poster 26 points and 12 assists. The Mavericks await the winner of the Nuggets/Hornets series where Denver looks to close it out after a 58 point thrashing in game 4 of that series.

Portland survives to play again

Brandon Roy and the Portland Trailblazers responded with their backs against the wall to beat the Houston Rockets 88-77. Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge each had 25 points in the home victory. Steve Blake also chipped in 15 points for the Blazers. Houston was led by Luis Scola who has been having a solid series. Scola scored 21 points. Yao Ming tallied 15 points and 12 rebounds. Houston hopes their home floor will ignite them into a series victory and end its skid of first round blunders. Game 6 is Thursday April 30 9:30 ET.

Denver demolishes New Orleans

The Denver Nuggets tied a record for the largest margin of victory in a playoff game destroying the New Orleans Hornets 121-63. Carmelo Anthony led the Nuggets with 26 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. Anthony along with six other players scored in double figures. 11 out of 12 players on the active roster scored for Denver. David West led the Hornets in scoring with 14 points. Chris Paul only managed to score 4 points and 6 assists along with 6 turnovers. The Hornets will look to bounce back while facing elimination Wednesday April 29 Wednesday.

Lakers Finish Utah

Los Angeles Lakers joined the Cleveland Cavs in the second round wait by defeating the Utah Jazz 107-96. Los Angeles was led by Kobe Bryant'a 31 points and Lamar Odom's 26 points and 15 rebounds. Despite being down the Utah Jazz didn't completely quit. Reserve Ronnie Price and Paul Millsap provided energy in a late push. Millsap finished with 16 points and 6 rebounds. The Lakers await the winner of the Houston/Portland series. Houston is up 3-1.

Hawks even series

The Hawks began Game 4 scorching and finished the game with a victory despite foul play at the end of the 1st half. The Atlanta Hawks beat the Miami Heat 81-71. It was Atlanta's first road playoff victory in almost 12 years. Ugly but I'm sure they would take it, tying the series at 2 heading back to Atlanta. Atlanta allowed frustration by calls form the official and lack there of, to affect their play. James Jones hit two 3 point baskets while being fouled in about 11 secs. Two four point plays in succession is almost unheard of. Starting Atlanta Hawks players shooting continued to struggle especially from All-star guard Joe Johnson. Johnson finished with 14 points on 5-12 shooting and 5 assists. In this series Johnson is averaging 13.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. He is shooting 38% from the field and 22% for 3 point range. All these statistics are well below his season average where averaged 21.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 5.8 assists while shooting 44% from the field and 36% from 3. Lucky for Atlanta reserves Zaza Pachulia and Flip Murray sparked them Pachulia finished with 12 points and 18 rebounds. Murray added 11 points and clutch baskets down the stretch. A cause of concern for Miami is the well being of Dwyane Wade. Wade is suffering from back spasms and opened up the game with two air balls. Although Wade finished with 22 points 6 rebounds and 7 assists, he only shot 9-26. Jamario Moon has been diagnosed with a sports hernia that will require surgery ending his season. Game 5 will be Wednesday April 29.

2OT thiller evens series

Chicago Bulls edged out the Boston Celtics in a double overtime thriller in Chicago, 121-118. Clutch three point jumpers by both Ray Allen and Ben Gordon at the end of regulation and the 1st overtime highlighted the end of the contest. Allen finished with 28 points (8-17 fg's) , while Gordon finished with 22 points (10-22 fg's). The point guard play was once again intense between two young up and coming players. Rajon Rondo, of the Celtics, recorded a triple double with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists. Derrick Rose, of the Bulls, finished with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists. Paul Peirce contributed to the Celtics cause posting 29 points (9-24 fg's). However, the difference is the game was bench play. Reserves Kirk Hinrich and Brad Miller of the Bulls combined for 30 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. The entire Celtic bench provided 11 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals. Pivitol Game 5 is Tuesday April 28.