Eastern Conference:

Boston 127 - Chicago 128 (3OT)

Series tied 3-3

• Another classic. This series is already destined for the “Greatest Games,” and this game right here might be the best one yet. Ray Allen scored a career playoff-high (and three shy of the Celtics playoff record) 51 points, and tied the NBA playoff record with 9 three-pointers. Glen Davis had 23 points and 7 rebounds. Paul Pierce (22 points on 5-13 shooting, and 9 rebounds) and Rajon Rondo did not have their best games, however; Rondo, who had been averaging nearly a triple double for the series, had 19 assists and 9 rebounds, but only 8 points on 4-17 shooting. Pierce also had a couple of costly turnovers late, the last when he had a pass stolen by Bulls center Joakim Noah. Noah streaked downcourt with Pierce at his heels, and finished off the fastbreak with an emphatic slam, and drew Pierce’s 6th foul.
• That play was key for the Bulls to gain the lead, but they weren’t safe yet. Rajon Rondo put back his own miss to pull the Celtics within one, and Kirk Hinrich missed an open layup on the Bulls next possession (on which Rondo was nearly called for goaltending; his hand was in the cylinder, but didn’t touch the ball). On Boston’s final possession, it was Rondo again, but Rookie of the Year Derrick Rose wasn’t about to let him score. Rondo faked, spun, and attempted a fadeaway, which Rose blocked. Rose then missed two free throws after he was fouled, but the Celtics had too little time left on the clock.
• Brad Miller, who missed two free throws that could have won Game 5 after he was given a hard foul by Rondo, made up for it this game. He finished with 23 points (on 8-9 shooting) and 10 rebounds off the bench. John Salmons led the Bulls attack with 35 points (13-22 shooting with 5 treys), and the Bulls didn’t miss Ben Gordon much (he fouled out and played only 31 minutes), but he will be counted on again in Game 7.
• Needless to say, I’m very excited for Game 7 in Boston. Dan Wetzel of Yahoo! Sports put it best: “You might as well get ready for an overtime or three, because a series this great, with performances this grand, wasn’t meant for regulation time.”

Orlando 114 - Philadelphia 89

Orlando wins series 4-2

• No Dwight Howard? No problem. Rashard Lewis scored 29 points, and Howard’s sub, Marcin Gortat, had 11 points, 15 rebounds, and 4 steals to lead the Magic into the second round with a defeat of the Philadelphia 76ers. J.J. Redick, who replaced injured guard Courtney Lee in the starting lineup, had 15 points on 5 three pointers (he shot 5-7 from three, and 5-9 overall). Rafer Alston added 21 points and 10 assists. Hedo Turkoglu had been playing well, but was ejected after picking up his second technical when he got in a tussle with the Sixers’ Samuel Dalembert.
• It’s getting boring in Philly. The two Andres once again led the Sixers, with Iguodala scoring 20 points and adding 6 assists, and Miller adding 24 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. Dalembert had 8 points and 13 rebounds, and Lou Williams added 17 (on 5-12 shooting) off the bench.
• What I noticed in the box score was the Orlando Magic’s Mickael Pietrus’ performance. His season performances were quite inconsistent due to his various injuries, but I thought he’d be healthy enough to make a contribution in the playoffs. Instead, he has consistently underwhelmed, and has been outplayed by the rookie Lee. With Lee injured though, Pietrus played heavily and scored 14 points off the bench. If Redick continues to play well and starts, Pietrus will be a spark off the bench. Alternatively, I can see Pietrus starting (as he did early in the season) with Redick being a gunner off the bench. With this win, the Magic will have some more time to let Turkoglu and Lewis fully heal, and be ready for the next opponent (the winner of the Chicago-Boston series).

*****

Western Conference:

Portland 76 - Houston 92

Houston wins series 4-2

• Finally, Houston gets out of the first round. For the first time since 1997, the Rockets advanced to the semifinals with a win over the Portland Trailblazers. Ron Artest had 27 points (11-21 shooting) to lead the Rockets, and he pretty much dominated the game. He shot 8-10 from inside the arc, and 3-11 outside. Yao Ming had 17 points and 10 rebounds, and Aaron Brooks added 13 points and 5 rebounds. Shane Battier and Luis Scola, who had been keys in Houston’s previous victories, had quieter games, but contributed nonetheless - Battier added 9 rebounds, and Scola added 9 points and 4 boards.
• Aside from Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge, who scored 22 and 26 respectively, the rest of the Blazers didn’t play too well. The rest of the team shot only 10-33 (.303), while Roy and Aldridge combined for 20-38 (.526). No other Blazer scored in double figures.
• With the win, the Rockets now head on to face the LA Lakers. The Lakers are the favorites, but I think the Rockets can give them a run for their money. The Houston bench has been gaining confidence, and the matchups of the starters (Yao/Scola vs Gasol/Bynum and Artest/Battier vs Kobe) will be very interesting to watch.