NBA Playoff Update

4 series kicked off today, 3 in the East, as the NBA playoffs kicked off. Here's a quick wrap up of what went down...

Chicago 104 Indiana 99

The Pacers led this game by 10 with 3 1/2 minutes to go. The Bulls never led until Kyle Korver hit a 3-pointer with 48 seconds to play. Derrick Rose was the story in this one though. The MVP candidate finished with 39 points 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 blocks while leading the Bulls on a 16-1 run over the final 3:28 to steal a win at home from the surprising Pacers. Danny Granger had 24, Tyler Hansbrough had 22 and Darren Collison had 17 in a losing effort.

Miami 97 Philadelphia 89

The 76ers led by 12 at the end of the first quarter, and then the Heat flipped the switch and starting playing with a little more fire. Miami outscored Philly 61-38 in the 2nd and 3rd quarters and fended off a late Sixers rally to win the series opener. Chris Bosh had a game-high 25 points and 12 rebounds, LeBron James had 21 points and 14 rebounds, and Dwyane Wade had 17 points to lead the Heat to victory. Thaddeus Young came off the bench to score 20 and pick up 11 rebounds to lead the Sixers.

Atlanta 103 Orlando 93

Dwight Howard scored 31 points in the first half and finished with 46 points and 19 rebounds, but it was wasted as the Hawks pulled off the upset in game 1. Joe Johnson had 25 points and Jamal Crawford had 23 points off the bench to lead the Hawks who shot 51.4% from the field and turned the ball over just 9 times. Jameer Nelson had 27 points, but all Magic players not named Jameer Nelson or Dwight Howard scored just 20 points, made 2 of 14 3's, and hit just 8 of 34 shots. Orlando also had 18 turnovers and lost by double digits despite outrebounding the Hawks 40-29.

Dallas 89 Portland 81

Jason Kidd hit 6 3-pointers and finished with 24 points and Dirk Nowitzki had 28 points and 10 rebounds and went 13 for 13 at the free throw line to lead the Mavs to a Game 1 win over the Blazers. LaMarcus Aldridge had 27 points and Marcus Camby had 18 rebounds, but Brandon Roy struggled hitting just 1 of 7 shots and the Blazers hit only 2 of 16 3-pointers in the loss.

Tomorrow's Schedule (all times Eastern)

1:00 PM - Memphis at San Antonio
3:30 PM - New Orleans at Los Angeles Lakers
7:00 PM - New York at Boston
9:30 PM - Denver at Oklahoma City