2011 NBA playoffs - opening rounds
Memphis Grizzlies guard Tony Allen (9) celebrates in the closing seconds of the second half of Game 6 against the San Antonio Spurs during a first-round NBA series on Friday, April 29, 2011, in Memphis, Tenn. The Grizzlies won 99-91 to win the series 4-2.
LaMarcus Aldrdige (12) of the Portland Trail Blazers defends Dirk Nowitzki (41) of the Dallas Mavericks in Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs on April 28, 2011 at the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon. Nowitzki had 33 points and 11 rebounds as the Mavs held off Portland 103-96 to advance to a second-round matchup with the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, center, is fouled by New Orleans Hornets forward Carl Landry, left, while driving to the basket during the second half of Game 6 of a first-round NBA playoffs in New Orleans, Thursday, April 28, 2011. Bryant scored 22 of his 24 points in the first three quarters, then let his teammates take over in a dominant 98-80 victory over the New Orleans Hornets that wrapped up a first-round playoff series triumph for Los Angeles in six games.
Joe Johnson (2) of the Atlanta Hawks tips in a basket against the Orlando Magic during Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena on April 28, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. Johnson scored 23 points and came up with a huge offensive rebound, leading Atlanta past Orlando 84-81 in Game 6 Thursday night to finish off the Magic in the opening round.
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant, center, dunks between Denver Nuggets forwards Kenyon Martin, left, and Danilo Gallinari, right, in the first quarter of Game 5 of a first-round NBA playoffs in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 27, 2011. Durant matched his best playoff performance with 41 points, including the final nine for Oklahoma City, and the Thunder closed out their first-round series against the Nuggets with a 100-97 victory in Game 5.
Memphis Grizzlies' Marc Gasol, right, is fouled by San Antonio Spurs' Antonio McDyess, left, during the fourth quarter of Game 5 of a first-round NBA playoffs on Wednesday, April 27, 2011, in San Antonio. Top-seeded San Antonio Spurs staved off elimination by stunning the Memphis Grizzlies 110-103 in overtime on Wednesday night.
Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade, left, goes up for a shot against Philadelphia 76ers' Jodie Meeks (20) during the first half of Game 5 of a first-round NBA playoffs on Wednesday, April 27, 2011, in Miami. Wade scored 26 points, Chris Bosh added 22 points and 11 rebounds, and the Heat advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals by topping Philadelphia 97-91 and ousting the 76ers in five games.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, left, goes up for a shot as New Orleans Hornets center Emeka Okafor defends during the second half in Game 5 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs, Tuesday, April 26, 2011, in Los Angeles. Bryant scored 19 points as the Lakers won 106-90.
Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) and forward Taj Gibson (22) react during the third quarter in Game 5 of a first-round NBA playoffs against the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday, April 26, 2011, in Chicago. The Bulls knocked off the Pacers 116-89 in Game 5 to wrap up their first-round playoff series Tuesday night.
Denver Nuggets guard Ty Lawson (3) goes up for a shot against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the second half in game 4 of a first-round NBA playoff game, April 25, 2011, in Denver. Lawson scored a career playoff-high 27 points and fellow speedy point guard Raymond Felton hit four clutch free throws in the final 23 seconds to help Denver beat the Thunder 104-101 as the Nuggets avoided a first-round sweep.
Orlando Magic's Jason Richardson (23) goes in for a lay up past Atlanta Hawks' Kirk Hinrich (6) and Jason Collins, right, during the first half of Game 5 of a first-round NBA playoffs in Orlando, Fla., Tuesday, April 26, 2011. Richardson scored 17 points as the Magic blew out the Hawks 101-76.
Memphis Grizzlies guard Tony Allen encourages the crowd to cheer during the final minutes of Game 4 against the San Antonio Spurs in a first-round NBA playoff game, April 25, 2011, in Memphis, Tenn. The Grizzlies won 104-86 to take a 3-1 lead in the series.
Dallas Mavericks center Tyson Chandler (6) battles for the ball against Portland Trail Blazers small forward Gerald Wallace (3) during the second half of Game 5 of a first-round NBA playoff game in Dallas, April 25, 2011. Chandler had 14 points and 20 rebounds as the Mavericks bounced back from a devastating loss and beat the Trail Blazers 93-82.
New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul (3) attempts to drive around Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum during the first half of Game 4 of a first-round NBA playoff game in New Orleans, Sunday, April 24, 2011. Paul had 27 points, 15 assists and 13 rebounds, and the Hornets held on for a 93-88 victory over the Lakers to even their first-round playoff series at 2-2.
Jamal Crawford (11) of the Atlanta Hawks shoots over Dwight Howard (12) of the Orlando Magic during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena on April 24, 2011 in Atlanta. Crawford had another big game off the Atlanta bench, scoring 25 in the Magic' 88-85 victory.
Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce (34) fends off New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony, left, as the pair chase a loose ball during the second half of Game 4 of a first-round NBA playoff game at Madison Square Garden in New York, Sunday, April 24, 2011. The Celtics won 101-89 and swept the series.
Philadelphia 76ers' Thaddeus Young (21) and Evan Turner are separated by an official from Miami Heat forward James Jones during Game 4 of a first-round NBA playoff game on Sunday, April 24, 2011, in Philadelphia. Both Young and Jones received technical fouls. The 76ers won 86-82.
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) celebrates after drawing a foul during the first half of game 3 of a first-round NBA playoff game against the Denver Nuggets Saturday, April 23, 2011, in Denver. Ibaka, the second-year pro from the Congo, tied his career high with 22 points and pulled down a career-high 16 rebounds in sparking the Thunder's 97-94 win over the Nuggets that gave them a 3-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series.
Memphis Grizzlies power forward Zach Randolph (50) drives past San Antonio Spurs power forward Antonio McDyess (34) during the first half of Game 3 of a first-round NBA series on Saturday, April 23, 2011, in Memphis, Tenn. Randolph scored 25 points, including a clinching 3-pointer with 41.9 seconds left, and the Memphis Grizzlies beat the San Antonio Spurs 91-88 Saturday night for the franchise's first playoff victory on its home court.
Portland Trail Blazers Brandon Roy (7) receives a high-five from teammate Nicolas Batum (88) after scoring the winning basket in the fourth quarter of Game 4 of their NBA first-round playoff series with the Dallas Mavericks, Saturday, April 23, 2011, in Portland, Ore. Roy finished with 24 points -- 18 in the fourth quarter alone -- as the Trail Blazers erased a 23-point deficit to defeat the Mavericks 84-82.
Indiana Pacers' Danny Granger, right, puts up a shot against Chicago Bulls' Carlos Boozer during the second half of Game 4 of a first-round NBA series in Indianapolis, Saturday, April 23, 2011. Indiana won 89-84.
Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol reacts after scoring against the New Orleans Hornets during the second half of Game 3 of a first-round NBA playoffs in New Orleans, Friday, April 22, 2011. Gasol contributed 17 points and 10 assists to the Lakers' 100-86 win over the Hornets.
Atlanta Hawks guard Jamal Crawford (11) celebrates with teammate Joe Johnson, left, after Crawford hit a three-point basket in the final seconds of Game 3 of a first-round playoffs in Atlanta, Friday, April 22, 2011. Atlanta won 88-84, and took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Boston Celtics' Paul Pierce (34) shoots a three-point basket as New York Knicks' Toney Douglas (23) runs out to defend during the second half of Game 3 in a first-round NBA playoffs on Friday, April 22, 2011, in New York. Pierce scored 38 points, Ray Allen added 32, and Rajon Rondo had a Celtics' playoff-record 20 assists, as Boston beat New York 113-96 on Friday night, taking a 3-0 lead in their first-round playoff series.
Chicago Bulls' Derrick Rose (1) goes up for a shot between Indiana Pacers' Danny Granger (33) and Paul George (24) during the first half of Game 3 of a first-round NBA series in Indianapolis, April 21, 2011. Rose scored 23 points, including the go-ahead layup with 17.8 seconds left, to help the Bulls beat the Pacers 88-84 on Thursday night and take a 3-0 lead in their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series.
Gerald Wallace (3) of the Portland Trail Blazers blocks the shot of Dirk Nowitzki (41) of the Dallas Mavericks in Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2011 at the Rose Garden in Portland. The Blazers defeated the Mavericks 97-92 win and narrowed Dallas' lead in the first-round series to 2-1.
Dwyane Wade (3) of the Miami Heat dunks against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half of Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals at Wells Fargo Center on April 21, 2011 in Philadelphia. Wade had 32 points and 10 rebounds, LeBron James finished with 24 points and 15 boards and the Heat took a 3-0 lead in their first-round series against the 76ers with a 100-94 victory.
San Antonio Spurs' Tony Parker (9) drives to the basket as Memphis Grizzlies' Marc Gasol, left, Tony Allen (9) and Mike Conley, right, defend during the first quarter of Game 2 of a first-round NBA playoff game, Wednesday, April 20, 2011, in San Antonio. The Spurs won 93-87.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook, right, shoots as Denver Nuggets center Nene defends in the fourth quarter of Game 2 of a first-round NBA playoff game in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 20, 2011. Oklahoma City won 106-89.
Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum, left, celebrates with forward Ron Artest, right, as guard Derek Fisher looks on during the second half in Game 2 of a first-round NBA playoff game, Wednesday, April 20, 2011, in Los Angeles. The Lakers defeated the Hornets 87-78.
Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett (5) steals the ball from New York Knicks forward Jared Jeffries, right, in the final minute of Game 2 of a first-round NBA playoff series, in Boston on Tuesday, April 19, 2011. Garnett sank the go-ahead basket with 14 seconds left then stole the ball with four seconds remaining as the Celtics won 96-93.
Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard (12) grabs a rebound away from Atlanta Hawks' Jason Collins (34), Marvin Williams, and Damien Wilkins (3) during the second half of Game 2 of a first-round NBA playoff series in Orlando, Fla., Tuesday, April 19, 2011. Howard had 33 points and 19 rebounds as Orlando won 88-82 to even the series 1-1.
Dallas Mavericks point guard Jason Kidd (2) passes the ball as Portland Trail Blazers' Andre Miller (24) pressures in the second half on Tuesday, April 19, 2011, in Dallas. Kidd continued his surprising scoring surge with 18 points, powering the Mavericks to a 101-89 victory on Tuesday night in Game 2 of their first-round series.
LeBron James (6) of the Miami Heat reacts after a shot during game two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Philadelphia 76ers at American Airlines Arena on April 18, 2011 in Miami. James scored 29 points, Chris Bosh had his second straight double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds, and Miami took a 2-0 series lead with a 94-73 victory.
Derrick Rose (1) of the Chicago Bulls puts up a shot over teammate Loul Deng (9) and Paul George (24) of the Indiana Pacers in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs at the United Center on April 18, 2011 in Chicago. Rose scored 36 points, Carlos Boozer added 17 points and 16 rebounds, and top-seeded Chicago escaped with another comeback victory over Indiana, beating the Pacers 96-90.
Boston Celtics' Ray Allen celebrates after hitting the game-winning 3-point shot as New York Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni, left, stands in front of the bench during the fourth quarter of Boston's 87-85 win in Game 1 of a first-round NBA playoffs in Boston on Sunday, April 17, 2011.
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant, center, shoots between Denver Nuggets guard Wilson Chandler, left, and forward Chris Andersen, right, in the third quarter of an NBA playoffs in Oklahoma City, Sunday, April 17, 2011. Oklahoma City won 107-103.
New Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul, second from left, goes up for a shot as Los Angeles Lakers forward Lamar Odom, left, forward Pau Gasol, second from right and guard Kobe Bryant defend during the second half of an NBA playoffs, Sunday, April 17, 2011, in Los Angeles. The Hornets won 109-100.
Memphis Grizzlies' Zach Randolph, center, celebrates their win with teammates Marc Gasol, left, and Darrell Arthur after an NBA playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs, Sunday, April 17, 2011, in San Antonio. Randolph had 25 points and 14 rebounds, and Shane Battier hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with 23.9 seconds left, and the eighth-seeded Grizzlies won the first playoff game in franchise history, 101-98 over the Spurs.
Chicago Bulls' Derrick Rose drives to the basket against the Indiana Pacers during the first quarter in Game 1 of a first-round NBA playoffs in Chicago, Saturday, April 16, 2011. Rose scored 39 points and found Kyle Korver for a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 48 seconds left, helping top-seeded Chicago stage a late rally to beat the Pacers 104-99 in their playoff opener.
Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki, center, goes up for a shot as the Portland Trail Blazers Nicolas Batum (88) and Brandon Roy, right, defend, in the first half of an NBA playoffs on Saturday, April 16, 2011, in Dallas. Nowitzki scored 18 of his game-high 28 points in the fourth quarter and the Dallas Mavericks defeated Portland 89-81.
Miami Heat's Chris Bosh (1) dunks the ball against Philadelphia 76ers' Lou Williams during the second half of Game 1 of a first-round NBA playoffs, Saturday, April 16, 2011 in Miami. Bosh scored 25 points and grabbed 12 rebounds as the Heat defeated the 76ers 97-89.
Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard (12) has the ball knocked from his hands by Atlanta Hawks' Kirk Hinrich, right, while moving to the basket against Hawls' Zaza Pachulia, left, during the second half of Game 1 of a first-round NBA playoff basketball series in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, April 16, 2011. Atlanta beat Orlando 103-93, overcoming a monster night by Howard who scored 46 points.