NBA Opening Round Playoffs
Atlanta Hawks' Jamal Crawford gestures to the crowd as time runs out in their 95-74 win over the Milwaukee Bucks in game seven of their NBA playoffs Sunday, May 2, 2010 in Atlanta. Crawford led all scores with 22 points.
Utah Jazz forward Paul Millsap (24) attempts to score against Denver Nuggets center Chris Anderson, left, during the second half of Game 6 of the NBA Western Conference first-round playoffs in Salt Lake City, Friday, April 30, 2010. Millsap scored 21 points in the Jazz 112-104 win over the Nuggets.
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant, center, shoots between Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol, left and forward Lamar Odom, right, in the fourth quarter of Game 6 of a first-round NBA playoffs, in Oklahoma City, Friday, April 30, 2010. Durant had 26 points for Oklahoma City, but Los Angeles won 95-94.
Atlanta Hawks' Al Horford (15) puts up a shot in front of Milwaukee Bucks' Ersan Ilyasova (7) in the second half of Game 6 of a first-round playoffs on Friday, April 30, 2010, in Milwaukee. Atlanta won 83-69.
Phoenix Suns' Jason Richardson celebrates as the Suns pull away in the fourth quarter of Game 6 of NBA first-round playoffs against the Portland Trail Blazers, April 29, 2010, in Portland, Ore. Richardson came up big for the third time in the first-round series, scoring 28 points in a 99-90 victory.
San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan (21) celebrates with teammate Manu Ginobili (20), as Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki, right, looks on during the fourth quarter of Game 6 of a first-round NBA playoffs, April 29, 2010, in San Antonio. San Antonio won 97-87, winning the series.
Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony, left, works the ball inside against Utah Jazz guard Deron Williams in the fourth quarter of the Nuggets' 116-102 victory in Game 5 of the teams' NBA first-round Western Conference playoffs on Wednesday, April 28, 2010, in Denver. Anthony had 26 points and 11 rebounds as the Nuggets avoided elimination with a 116-102 victory against the Jazz.
Milwaukee Bucks' Brandon Jennings reacts after the Bucks scored in the fourth quarter of an NBA first-round playoff game against the Atlanta Hawks, Wednesday, April 28, 2010, in Atlanta. Jennings scored 25 points as Milwaukee won 91-87 to take a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, left, drives around Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant during the first half of Game 5 of a first-round NBA playoffs, in Los Angeles, Tuesday, April 27, 2010. The Lakers rebounded from back-to-back losses with a 111-87 victory against the Thunder, taking a 3-2 lead in their first-round playoff series.
Dallas Mavericks forward Caron Butler shoots over San Antonio Spurs center Ian Mahinmi, right, in the second half of Game 5 in the first round of the NBA playoffs, Wednesday, April 21, 2010, in Dallas. Butler had a game high 35 points in the 103-81 Mavericks win. The Spurs still lead the series 3-2.
Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James (23) shoots as Chicago Bulls' Luol Deng defends in the first quarter of Game 5 in the first round of the NBA playoffs Tuesday, April 27, 2010, in Cleveland. James scored 19 points beating Chicago 96-94 to win the series 4-1.
Boston Celtics guard Ray Allen pumps his fist as he passes Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, right, after hitting a 3-pointer during the second half of Game 5 of a first-round NBA playoffs in Boston, Tuesday, April 27, 2010. The Celtics won 96-86, eliminating the Heat from the playoffs.
Phoenix Suns center Channing Frye (8) dunks over Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) during the first half of Game 5 of a first-round NBA playoffs Monday, April 26, 2010 in Phoenix. Frye scored 20 points in a 107-88 rout of Portland that has the Suns one victory away from eliminating the Trail Blazers from the playoffs.
Orlando Magic's Vince Carter, center, drives between Charlotte Bobcats' Theo Ratliff, right, and Boris Diaw, left, during the first half in Game 4 of a first round NBA playoffs in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, April 26, 2010. Carter scored 21 points in a 99-90 victory over the Bobcats to complete a sweep of their first-round series.
Milwaukee Bucks' Brandon Jennings is showered with confetti after Game 4 of a first-round NBA playoff game against the Atlanta Hawks, Monday, April 26, 2010, in Milwaukee. Jennings led his team with 23 points in their 111-104 win.
Utah Jazz forward Carlos Boozer reacts to a score against the Denver Nuggets during the second half of Game 4 of the NBA Western Conference first-round playoff series in Salt Lake City, Sunday, April 25, 2010. Carlos Boozer had 31 points and 13 rebounds as the Jazz defeated the Nuggets 117-106.
Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James, right, blocks a shot by Chicago Bulls' Joakim Noah during the fourth quarter of Game 4 in the first round of the NBA playoffs on Sunday, April 25, 2010, in Chicago. James delivered his fifth career postseason triple-double with 37 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists. That led the Cavaliers to a 121-98 victory over the Bulls on Sunday and a 3-1 lead in their first-round series.
San Antonio Spurs' George Hill, center, tries to shoot as Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki left, and Jason Kidd, right, defend him during the foruth quarter of Game 4 of a first-round NBA playoffs, Sunday, April 25, 2010 in San Antonio. San Antonio won 92-89.
Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade (3) slides through Boston Celtics players Rasheed Wallace (30), Michael Finley (40) and Tony Allen (42) for two points in the first half of Game 4 during the first round in Miami, Sunday, April 25, 2010. Wade scored 46 points, 30 in the second half, both franchise records and the Heat beat the Boston Celtics 101-92 on Sunday in Game 4.
Portland Trail Blazers' Jerryd Bayless (4) defends against Phoenix Suns' Jason Richardson (23) in the second half during Game 4 of an NBA first-round playoffs Saturday, April 24, 2010, in Portland, Ore. The Trail Blazers defeated the Suns 96-87.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook, left, shoots over Los Angeles Lakers forward Lamar Odom, right, in the third quarter of Game 4 of a first-round NBA playoffs in Oklahoma City, Saturday, April 24, 2010. Oklahoma City won 110-89.
Milwaukee Bucks' John Salmons (15) and Atlanta Hawks' Josh Smith (5) react to a call during the first half of Game 3 of the first round of the NBA playoffs Saturday, April 24, 2010, in Milwaukee. Salmons scored 22 points on 9-of-11 shooting, Kurt Thomas had eight points, 13 rebounds and four stitches, and the Bucks never let up after a hot start in a 107-89 Game 3 victory on Saturday night after a three-day layoff.
Orlando Magic's Jameer Nelson, right, drives past Charlotte Bobcats' Stephen Jackson, left, during the second half of the Magic's 90-86 win in Game 3 of a first round NBA playoffs in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, April 24, 2010.
Utah Jazz guard Deron Williams (8) shoots a three-point shot as Denver Nuggets center Nene (31) of Brazil defends during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Western Conference first-round playoff series in Salt Lake City, Friday, April 23, 2010. Williams scored 24 points in the Jazz 105-93 win.
Dallas Mavericks' Erick Dampier, right, is blocked by San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan, left, during the first quarter of Game 3 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series, Friday, April 23, 2010 in San Antonio. Duncan scored 25 points to lead the Spurs to a 94-90 victory over the Mavericks.
Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce (34) goes up for a shot against Miami Heat forward Dorell Wright, left, and forward Udonis Haslem during the second half of Game 3 in the first round of their NBA playoffs Friday, April 23, 2010, in Miami. The Celtics defeated the Heat 100-98.
Phoenix Suns' Jason Richardson goes to the basket as Portland Trail Blazers' Andre Miller, left, and Nicolas Batum defend during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA first-round playoffs Thursday, April 22, 2010, in Portland, Ore. Richardson made eight 3-pointers and finished with playoff career-high 42 points in the Suns' 108-89 victory over the Trail Blazers, which gave Phoenix a 2-1 lead in the first-round playoff series.
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant, right, shoots as Los Angeles Lakers forward Ron Artest, left, defends in the first quarter of game 3 of a first-round NBA playoffs in Oklahoma City, Thursday, April 22, 2010. Durant had 29 points and 19 rebounds, and snapped out of a shooting funk, lifting the Thunder to a 101-96 victory in Game 3. Lakers lead series 2 games to 1.
Chicago Bulls' Derrick Rose, right, drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers' Anderson Varejao during the third quarter of Game 3 in the first round of the NBA playoffs on Thursday, April 22, 2010, in Chicago. Rose scored 31 points, Kirk Hinrich added 27 and Chicago hung to beat the top-seeded Cavaliers 108-106.
San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) grabs a rebound from Dallas Mavericks forward Caron Butler (4) and center Brendan Haywood (33) during the second half in the first round of the NBA playoffs, Wednesday, April 21, 2010, in Dallas. Duncan was San Antonio's second-half star, scoring 17 of his 25 points to help beat the Mavericks 102-88 to tie the at a game apiece,
Orlando Magic guard Vince Carter (15) gets off a shot over Charlotte Bobcats forward Gerald Wallace (3) during the first half of Game 2 in a first-round NBA basketball playoffs in in Orlando, Fla., Wednesday, April 21, 2010. Carter finished with 19 points and the Magic took a 2-0 series lead with a 92-77 victory over the Bobcats.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, right, puts up a shot as Oklahoma City Thunder's Jeff Green, left, and Nenad Krstic, center, watch during the first half of Game 2 in a first-round NBA playoffs in Los Angeles, Tuesday, April 20, 2010. Bryant scored 39 points, carrying the Lakers in the fourth quarter to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 95-92 on Tuesday night to take a 2-0 lead in their Western Conference playoff series.
Phoenix Suns guard Jason Richardson reacts after hitting a three-pointer against the Portland Trail Blazers during the first half of Game 2 of an NBA first-round playoffs Tuesday, April 20, 2010 in Phoenix. Richardson scored 29 points and the Suns routed the Blazers 119-90 to tie the first-round playoff series at 1.
Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce throws a celebratory punch as the Celtics pull ahead of the Miami Heat by more than 30 points during the third quarter of a first-round NBA playoffs in Boston, Tuesday, April 20, 2010. Boston rolled to a 106-77 victory to take a 2-0 lead in their playoff series.
Atlanta Hawks guard Joe Johnson (2) shoots over the defense of Milwaukee Bucks guard John Salmons (15) during the second half of a first round NBA playoff game Tuesday April 20, 2010, in Atlanta. Johnson took control in the fourth quarter to finish off a 27-point effort and the Hawks ran away for a 96-86 victory in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Hawks take 2-0 series lead over Bucks.
Utah Jazz guard Deron Williams, right, drives for a shot against Denver Nuggets forward Nene in the third quarter of Utah's 114-111 victory in Game 2 of the teams' NBA Western Conference first-round playoff series in Denver on Monday, April 19, 2010. Williams scored 33 points and 14 assists while chalking up nearly 45 minutes to lead the Jazz to even the first-round series 1-1.
Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James watches his shot in the first quarter of Game 2 against the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the NBA playoffs Monday, April 19, 2010, in Cleveland. James scored 40 points, 15 in the fourth quarter as the Cavaliers maintained home-court advantage by beating the Bulls 112-102 to take a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Portland Trail Blazers guard Andre Miller spins in celebration after making a three-point field goal against the Phoenix Suns in the second half of Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series Sunday, April 18, 2010, in Phoenix. Miller scored 15 points in the fourth quarter and tied his career playoff high with 31 points as Portland made Phoenix the only home team to lose in a playoff opener this year in their 105-100 win.
Orlando Magic guard Jameer Nelson, center, gets between Charlotte Bobcats forward Boris Diaw, left and center Tyson Chandler during the second half of Game 1 in a first-round NBA playoff series in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, April 18, 2010. Nelson scored 32 points as Orlando won 98-89.
Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki, center, attempts to get past the defense of San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan, from left, Richard Jefferson, and Manu Ginobili, right, in the second half of an NBA game in the first round of the NBA playoffs, Sunday, April 18, 2010, in Dallas. Nowitzki made 12 of 14 shots and all 12 of his free throws, coming up with 36 points to carry the Dallas Mavericks to a 100-94 victory.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, left, puts up a shot as Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jeff Green defends during the first half in the opening game of a first-round NBA playoff series, Sunday, April 18, 2010, in Los Angeles. Bryant had 21 points as the Lakers won 87-79.
Denver Nuggets' Carmelo Anthony shoots over Utah Jazz's Carlos Boozer during the second half of an NBA first-round playoff game Saturday, April 17, 2010 in Denver. Carmelo Anthony scored 42 points as the Nuggets beat the Jazz 126-113.
Atlanta Hawks guard Joe Johnson is congratulated by forward Josh Smith (5) as they come off the floor on a time out after Johnson scored during the second half of an NBA first round playoff game Saturday April 17, 2010, in Atlanta against the Milwaukee Bucks. Atlanta won 102-92.
Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce (34) passes the ball from under the basket against Miami Heat center Joel Anthony (50) and Dorell Wright (1) in the second half of Game 1 in the first round of their NBA series in Boston Saturday, April 17, 2010. The Celtics won 85-76.
Chicago Bulls' Kirk Hinrich, left, and Cleveland Cavaliers' Mo Williams fight for a loose ball in the fourth quarter of Game 1 in the first round of the NBA playoffs Saturday, April 17, 2010, in Cleveland. The Cavaliers won 96-83 to take a 1-0 lead in best-of-seven games series.