CELTICS, PISTONS, LAKERS, HORNETS STILL UNBEATEN

 

Well, the 2008 NBA Conference semi finals are now well underway. Game 1 proved to be a pretty straightforward affair but Game was going to be another matter entirely, the home teams still needed a second win to prevent the series getting turned around. And given that at this level the supposed underdogs tend not to be useless, we were in for an interesting batch of matches.

In the East, the Celtics faced the Cavs in Boston. The Cavs were the side that really hit the ground running and led 24-17 at the end of the first quarter. The Cavs were ice cold in the second quarter though with the Celtics fans showing no mercy whatsoever and the road team's poor form continued into the third. That made the fourth quarter a wind down period, Paul Pierce leading the way with 19 points as the Celtics won 89-73.

Elsewhere, the Pistons faced the Magic in Detroit. The Magic certain gave the Pistons more of a match this time out, the first quarter ending with the game tied at 29. The Pistons then ripped the opposition apart in the second only for the Magic to make a match of things again in the third leading late on before the Pistons retook the lead before the third buzzer only for the Magic to come again early in the fourth, leading 86-82 mid quarter before the Pistons but on a late surge to win 100-93, led by Chauncey Billups's 28 points.

Out West, the Lakers faced the Jazz in LA. The opening stages of the first quarter were competitive, the Jazz led 13-12 at one point but the home side still put the game beyond reach by the time the first buzzer sounded. The Jazz took the odd nibble into the deficit in the later stages of the game but weren't really in it and Kobe celebrated winning the regular season MVP with 38 points as the Lakers won 120-110.

Elsewhere, the Hornets faced the Spurs in New Orleans. Well it was definately a tight first half and the Spurs did their chances of turning the series round a lot of good with a 43-42 half time lead. Slight problem for the defending champions, the Hornets came up with a killer third quarter that left the visitors on the mat. Chris Paul finished with 30 points, the Hornets won 102-84.

Game 3 looks to be more interesting though.

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