ORLANDO, Fla. — There is a reason the Detroit Pistons have been to five consecutive Eastern Conference finals. They proved it on Saturday, even without their All-Star point guard to hold things together in front of a hostile crowd.
Mike D’Antoni has agreed to coach the New York Knicks, bringing his entertaining offensive style from the Phoenix Suns to a team coming off one of the worst seasons in franchise history.
• After opening the playoffs with six straight wins, the Los Angeles Lakers are looking to bounce back from their first loss today (3: 30 p. m., Ch. 7) against the Utah Jazz. The Lakers have a 2-1 lead over host Utah in the Western Conference semifinal series.
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — Cavaliers starting forward Ben Wallace is doubtful for Game Three of Cleveland’s playoff series against the Boston Celtics tonight (8 p. m., Ch. 7) because of allergies and a left inner ear infection.
SALT LAKE CITY — Carlos Boozer broke out of his slump with 27 points and tied his career playoff-high with 20 rebounds, leading the Utah Jazz to a 104-99 victory over Los Angeles on Friday night, cutting the Lakers’ lead in the series to 2-1.
By ELIZABETH WHITE
- Associated Press Writer
Updated: 05/09/08 8:03 PM
There was no third-quarter breakdown for the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night, just the desperate play of a team whose quest for a second straight NBA title was on the line. Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili both scored 31 points to lead the Spurs to a 110-99 victory over the New Orleans Hornets in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals.
SAN ANTONIO — There was no third-quarter breakdown for the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night, just the desperate play of a team whose quest for a second straight NBA title was on the line.
By JOHN NADEL
- AP Sports Writer
Updated: 05/08/08 4:23 PM
The Los Angeles Lakers celebrated Kobe Bryant's MVP award the best way possible. Bryant had 34 points, eight rebounds and six assists Wednesday night, and the Lakers beat the Utah Jazz 120-110 to take a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference semifinals and remain the NBA's only unbeaten team in the postseason.
