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Show Thursday. May 8, 2008 HERALD DAILY B4 NBA 2008 NBA PLAYOFFS Magic Continued from Bl from range. on WednesHe shot 1 day, 5oiS from behind the arc, and scored 12 of Orlando's last 14 points as the Magic took a 5442 halftime lead. "I made my first couple and really felt like I was going to have it going tonight," said Lewis, who came to the Magic in a trade with Seattle. "I know my 3 ball hasn't been falling this whole series. '"Detroit's obviously been a team that's been beating us the past couple of years." Lewis said. "The main focus is we don't want to dig ourselves too deep of a hole. We want to try to win our home games, take the series back to Detroit Richard Hamilton scored 24 points for Detroit and Prince had 22, while Rasheed Wallace scored 11 n Tay-shau- points on shooting. With Billups out, rookie Rodney Stuckey stepped up big for the Pistons. He scored 19 nine in the second points but 'he didn't bring quarter the same floor presence as Billups, Detroit's steady leadthreat. er and clutch Billups was averaging 17.5 points in the postseason and had 28 against the Magic in rebounds for points and Orlando, and Nelson and Hedo Turkoglu both scored 12 quarter The Magic had lost nine straight playoff games to the Pistons, tied for the streak in NBA history. That dated to 2003. when Detroit rallied from a deficit to advance, and included a sweep in the t 3-- 1 4-- 0 first round last season. "It felt real good, finally "I'm concerned because (Billups is) our quarterback; getting a chance to beat he runs our team." Pistons those guys," Howard said. "The main thing is we played coach Flip Saunders said. "You saw our first two the way we know how to games. He's been a huge part play run and try to cut the of why we've been successturnovers down. We can beat ful that matchup has been anybody." immediately after Billups huge for us." The Pistons lost Billups just was injured Orlando went on an 184 run in under six minfour minutes intothe game utes to take a 24-- 6 lead, by when he drove to the basket and got tangled up with far its largest of the series to that point. The Magic held a Jameer Nelson. Nelson's leg lead in Game 1 and caught Billups' foot, and the Pistons guard fell hard to the were up by four in Game 2. Nelson scored eight points in court. the run and had 12 in the first Dwight Howard had 20 Game 2. one-poi- First Round 6 shooting. 4-- (et-f-- n EASTERN COHfERENCt Bostoe 4, ammi 3 1u4 Atlanta 81 Sunday. April 20 freonesaay, April 23 Boston 9b Atlanta 77 102 Br.slon 93 Atlanta Aeffl Saurday, Monday. April 28 Atlanta 97 Boston 92 110 Atlanta 85 Boston 3D Wednesday April Friday, May 2 Atlanta 103 Boston 100 Awwia 65 Boston 4 Boston 99 May Sunday, back, but against a team that shoots 3s very well you can't dig yourself in that big of a hole and try and come back." Orlando finally found a way to take care of the ball. The Magic had 11 turnovers, the same as Detroit in Game 3 and a vast improvement The Pistons drew within 9 at the end of the third quarter despite going nearly four minutes without a field goal. Besides a jumper by Wallace. Stuckey, Hamilton and Prince scored all 27 points for Detroit in the third quarter, while Orlando went over the 19 they committed in Game 2. 21 from the field. "We gave ourselves MAGIC 111, PISTONS 86 chances," Saunders said. "We DETROIT (88) made a lot of runs after we 0. Wallace 22. Maiieli Pr.nce6-1fell behind." 2. Hamilton 11. Billups 4 5 0, 24, Stuckey McDyess Detroit failed to 3 Arflalo 0 Herrmann 4, Rallitl field goal in the opening 4:27 0 Totals 0, Johnson 24 Haves 86, of the fourth quarter until ORLANDO (111) Hamilton made a layup. By 18 Lewis 33, Tumojlu then the Magic were ahead 18. Evans Howard 20, Nelson 3. 0. 4 Booans 5, Arroyo 3 helped by' a Lewis 10 Garnty Gortat 2. Dooling er and putback and 0, Augustine 2 Totals 111. the Pistons would get no ; 86 16 26 27 17 Detroit closer. 111 30 24 19 38 Orlando "I said when we left the Wallace Detroit Goals (Herrmann Palace that if we did not get Orlando 4. Hayes Hamilton Prince off to a good startand let (Lewis Turkoglu Dooling Bogans Nelson Evans Fouled Out None. the crowd get into the game Rebounds Detroit 43 (Prmce 7). Orlando 52 Assists Detroit 12 (Hamilton. Prmce frtowaro . we were going to have to Detroit 20. 3). Orlando 18 iTurkoglu 6) Total Fouls said. "We Prince Orlando defensive three back," Ortanoo 23 Technicals fight second A 17,519 (17,519). did a good job of fighting 73-6- 18. fourth-longes- on 6-- Playoffs Schedule it wins series Detroit 4, Philadelphia 2 Sunday. April 20 Philadelphia 90. Detroit 86 Wednesday, April 23 Detroit 105. Philadelphia Friday, Apr 25 Ptiiiaaeipna 95. Detroit 75 Sunday. AprK 27 Detroit 93 Pnuadeiphia 84 Tuesday, Apr 29 Detroit 98 Phnaoeipma 61 Thursday, May 1 Detroit 100. Prmaoeipma 77 -- 58 Orlando 4, Toronto 1 Sunday, AprM 20 Oriando 14, Toronto 100 Tuesday, April 22 Orlando 104 Toronto 103 Thursday, April 24 Toronto 108, Orlando 94 Saturday, April 26 Orlando 106, Toronto 94 Monday, April 28 Orlando 102, Toronto 92 '. sWa Cleveland 4, Washington 2 Saturday, April 19 Cleveland 93, Washington 86 Monday, April 21 Cleveland 116. Washington 86 Thursday. April 24 Washington 106 Cleveland 72 Sunday. April 27 Cleveland 100. Washington 97 Wednesday. April 30 Washington 88. Cleveland 87 Friday, May 2 Cleveland 105, Washington 68 - - 87-7- WESTERN CONFERENCE LA Lakers 4, Denver 0 Sunday, Apm 20 LA Lakers 128, Denver 114 Wednesday, April 23. L.A Lakers 122. Denver Saturday, April 26 LA Lakers 102. Denver 84 Monday, April 28. L.A. Lakers 107, Denver 101 107 New Orleans 4, Dallas 1 Saturday, April 19 New Orleans 104. Dallas 92 Tuesday, April 22 New Orleans 127, Dallas 103 Friday, April 25 Dallas 97, New Orteans 87 Sunday, April 27 New Orleans 97 Dallas 84 Tuesday, April 29. New Orleans 99, Dallas 94 ' 121 Saturday, San Antonio 4, Phoenix 1 7, Phoenix April 19. San Antonio 115. 20T . Tuesday, April 22: San Antonio 102, Phoenix 96 Friday, April 25 San Antonio 1 15, Phoenix 99 Sunday. April 27 Phoenix 105. San Antonio 86 Tuesday, April 29 SaTAnT8n1o32;-Phoeni6Utah 4, Houston 2 Saturday. April 19 Utah 93, Houston 82 Monday, April 21 Utah 90, Houston 84 Thursday. April 24, Houston 94. Utah 92 Saturday, April 26 Utah 86, Houston 82 Tuesday, April 29 Houston 95 Utah 69 2, Houston 91 Friday, May 2. Utah k ) " Conference Semifinals ' EASTERN CONFERENCE Detroit vs. Orlando Saturday, May 3: Detroit 9t Orlando 72 Detroit 100, Orlando 93 Monday Wednesday: Orlando 111. Detroit 86, Detroit leads series Saturday: Detroit at Orlando. 3 p.m Tuesday, May 13 Orlando at Detroit, TBA, it necessary Thursday, May 15 Detroit at Orlando, TBA. if necessary Sunday, May 18 Oriando at Detroit, TBA, if necessary, Boston vs. Cleveland Tuesday: Boston 76, Cleveland 72, Boston leads series Today: Cleveland at Boston. 5 p m. Saturday Boston at Cleveland. 6 p.m. Monday, May 12: Boston at Cleveland. 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 14 Cleveland at Boston, TBA, it necessary Friday, May 16: Boston at Cleveland, TBA. if necessary Sunday, May 18: Cleveland at Boston, TBA. if necessary ( ; Sunday, May Wednesday: WESTERN CONFERENCE L.A. Lakers vs. Utah 4: L.A, Lakers 109, Utah 98 L.A. Lakers 120, Utah, 10, L.A Lakers lead series Friday L.A. Lakers at Utah. 7 p.m Sunday L A. Lakers at Utah, :30 p m. Wednesday, May 14: Utan at LA Lakers, '.""" . ' " ; MARK Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, right, puts up II4.-.- L I- L PLAYOFFS Laddie Pts. FGs 34 ll-of-1- 8 VIM 4 m, Reb. 8 6 On the night he received the league's MVP trophy, Bryant put up a star effort. THE I Tl What it means The Jazz cut to Laker lead on a pair of Carlos to 99-9Boozer free throws. But then, with 5:39 to go, Sasha Vjuacic hit a jump shot to spark an 8-- run that effectively put away Utah. Though the Jazz tried to rally again, they fell short thanks to a poor first quarter. Utah comes back to Salt Lake hole and must City in an)-try to tie the series at Arena. 21-fo- 2 if ' :t. k rmC Play of the game 4 New Orleans vs. San Antonio Saturday, May 3: New Orleans 101 San Antonio Monday: New Orleans 102, San Antonio 84, New Orleans leads series Today: New Orleans at San Antonio. 7:30 p.m, Sunday: New Odeans at San Antonio. 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 13, San Antonio at New Orleans, TBA, if necessary Thursday, May IS, New Orleans at San Antonio, TBA, if necessary Monday, May 19. San Antonio at New Orleans, TBA, if necessary V o -- '. ..... rv ) 2 LOOKING FOR COUGAR STATS i e MVP award, receiving 82 votes and 1,100 points to far outdistance New Orleans' Chris Paul in the voting of 126 media members. The results were announced Tuesday. first-plac- 7 KEVORK DJANSEZIANAssociated Press Utah Jazz guard Ronnie Price, left, during the second quarter of Game 2 of their NBA basketball semifinal playoff series at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Wednesday. Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Farmar (5) is fouled by mmmm I t t t Bryant was a runaway winner of his first w. cougarbluc.coi. j ASSOCIATED PRESS LOS ANGELES Lakers star Kobe Bryant received his MVP trophy from NBA commissioner David Stern in a brief ceremony before Los Angeles faced Utah in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals Wednesday night. "I'm at a loss for words, I don't know what to say," Bryant said as the Staples Center crowd of 18,997 roared its approval and "I love you chanted guys so much. We're going to play until June. Let's get this party started." The Hi 82 Bryant receives MVP trophy from David Stern z 2-- 0 lAst. &mf if ukrei;s Player of the Game Kobe Bryant, Guard Press :. if --- semiiinais, L.A. Lakers J. TERRILLAssociated a shot as Utah Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko defends Wednesday in Los Angeles. '"C Lakers lead series, ' TBA, necessary Friday, May 16: LA. Lakers at Utah, TBA, it necessary Monday, May 19: Utah at LA. Lakers, TBA, necessary V. " ,: . IIAC I 7 1 TT)YTf (I uitiVii-aiiiiaiiiiJiniiiiaiHiiui |