CELTICS, PISTONS, LAKERS, HORNETS HAVE FIRST BLOOD IN CONFERENCE SEMIS

 

Eight teams left(well OK, 9). There may have been one first round series still undecided but for six of those teams it was time to turn up the heat. The NBA Conference semi finals may still two steps away from any kind of pot of gold but each tie tends to involve two very serious teams. This year's lineup in nothing to complain about either, so after a brief moment of glory it's starting from scratch with Game 1.

First up though, in the East, the Celtics had unfinished business with the Hawks. Game 7 of their first round tie was in Boston. This series had gone on too long for the Celtics and though the Hawks opened up 3-0 they were stifled from there on in. They got their game 7, they got their "not in our house" and now they got their reality check. Paul Pierce led the Celtics with 22 points. Celtics won the game 99-65 and the series 4-3.

The next match fans in Boston saw was Game 1 of the Conference semi final series between the Celtics and the Cavs. The first points weren't scored for over a minute into a game in which the biggest factor was the Celts defence. Even then the Cavs led 51-45 at one point in the third but the Celts still made it back from there before the end of that quarter. Kevin Garnett grabbed 28 points even though the final score was only 76-72 Celts.

Elsewhere, the Pistons faced the Magic in Detroit for Game 1 of their conference semi. The game was tied at 22 at the end of the first quarter and the Magic kept it tight in the second but they were never able to get the lead at all. The Pistons just ground the visitors into the dust, was anyone really expecting anything else in the series opener? Chauncey Billups grabbed 19 points, Pistons won 91-72.

Out West, the Lakers faced the Jazz in LA. Well the Jazz opened 4-0 and the lead changed plenty of times in the first quarter. By half time it was another matter entirely though, the Lakers had blown the opposition apart in the second. The Jazz attempted a third quarter comeback but that still allowed a fourth for the Lakers to pull away one last time. Kobe grabbed 38 points, Lakers won 109-98.

Elsewhere, the Hornets faced the Spurs in New Orleans. Well the Spurs may be the defending champions but the Hornets still raced out to a large lead...but then again the Spurs are the defending champions and led 49-45 at half time. The Hornets though have already caught one of the big Texan sides on the hop and exploded in the second half to let everyone know that they're not done yet. David West led the way with 30 points, Hornets won 101-82.

That's just for starters though.

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