SPURS, SUNS, HEAT, NETS, CAVS
So, the 2006 NBA playoffs first round is over. Before we go into the semis though, what's happened so far. Well at the end of the Game 5s there were still five ties left undecided - way more than I'd expected. So how did though ties eventually wrap up and what's in store for the semi finals?
Well in Sacremento, the Kings made their last stand against the Spurs for their game 6. Slight problem for the Kings, the Spurs defence had finally got their act together and the home side were never really in the picture and were blown wide open with a 14-1 run by the Spurs early on in the third quarter. Tony Parker led the way with 31 points, the Spurs won the game 105-83 and the series 4-2.
In the Suns-Lakers series, well Kobe Bryant and crew must have expected to finish off their opponents in LA in game 6. Tim Thomas had over ideas though and sunk a late three pointer for the Suns to force overtime tied at 105 before the number 2 seeds won the game 126-118 in overtime, forcing a game 7 in Phoenix. Once there, the Lakers were ripped apart, Kobe had an offnight at the worst possible time, Suns won the game 121-90 completing one heck of a comeback to win the series 4-3.
Out East, the Heat chased the Bulls back into Chicago for game 6. The Windy City's been tough territory for Shaq in this series, luckily for the Heat this was the point he decided to make up for lost time. The Bulls were battered from start to finish with Shaq in bulldozer mode picking up 30 points and 20 rebounds, leading his team to a 113-96 win and finishing the series 4-2.
In Indiana, it was the Pacers up against the wall but still looked to put up a pretty solid fight with Anthony Johnson leading his side to a 26-21 first quarter lead over the Nets. These aren't quite Reggie Miller's Pacers though and Richard Jefferson lead the comeback as the Nets first levelled the game by half time, then slowly eked out enough of an edge to win the game 96-90 and the series 4-2.
Finally in Washington, the Wizards were having to see off the Cavs to stay in the series and sure enough they not only matched LeBron and crew very well, they ran the first quarter and still held a 49-48 lead at half time. Both side were deadlocked in the third but the Wizards dreams of making game 7 first had to be put on hold when the Cavs forced overtime with the game tied at 107 and then Damon Jones hit the last minute jumper to win the game 114-113 and the series 4-2.