10/05/2006
News
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USA - Nowitzki, Mavs level series with Spurs
Playoffs results
SAN ANTONIO (NBA) - Some of the men who will take center stage at the FIBA World Championship were once again in the spotlight in the NBA play-offs on Tuesday.
Germany's Dirk Nowitzki had 21 points and nine rebounds as the Dallas Mavericks raced to a 113-91 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference semi-finals to level the series at one game apiece.
Team USA's LeBron James had 30 points, 14 boards and seven assists but it wasn't enough for Cleveland as they slipped up against Detroit, 97-91.
Nowitzki, FIBA Europe's Player of the Year after leading Germany to the silver medal at the EuroBasket in Belgrade, was ably supported by Josh Howard (27 points, nine rebounds) and surprise starter Devin Harris, who was sensational on defense.
"I just want to be efficient," said Nowitzki, who will lead Germany at the FIBA World Championship in Japan. "Like tonight I had 20 points but I only took 11 shots. I need more efficient games like that."
After Sunday's 87-85 loss in the opener, Mavericks coach Avery Johnson inserted the speedy guard Harris in the line-up, replacing swingman Adrian Griffin.
The move was a masterstroke as Harris helped contain Frenchman Tony Parker and accelerated the offense to a new gear the Spurs could not match. Harris scored 20 points on seven of 12 shooting, most of them after getting inside the defense.
Another beneficiary was Howard, who did all of his damage in the first three quarters, making seven of 17 shots and 11 of 11 free throws.
Jerry Stackhouse also was a factor with 19 points off the bench for Dallas, who improved to 3-1 on the road in the post-season and return home for Games Three and Four on Saturday and Monday.
Parker scored 15 points and Argentina's Manu Ginobili 13 but they were outplayed by Dallas' guards.
Pistons take 2-0 lead over Cavs
Rasheed Wallace scored 29 points to lead a balanced attack as the Detroit Pistons again asserted themselves early and demoralised the Cleveland Cavaliers with a 97-91 victory that opened a 2-0 series lead.
As they did in Game One, the top-seeded Pistons used a strong start, sharp shooting from the arc and a concerted defensive effort on superstar LeBron James to improve to 6-1 in the postseason. Game Three is Saturday in Cleveland.
He had just seven points in the first half.
"The Pistons are a great defensive team, and I don't want to force things when I don't need to," James said. "I was trying to draw the double-team and get my team-mates involved."
James, who will play for Team USA at the FIBA World Championship, heated up in the second half. He finished with 30 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists
HILL HONOURED
Orlando Magic forward Grant Hill, who has endured another injury-plagued season, has been named winner of the Magic Johnson Award.
The award honours an NBA player who combines excellence on the court with outstanding co-operation with the media and - by extension - the fans and is presented annually by the Professional Basketball Writers Association.
"It is truly an honour to receive this award and be spoken of in the same breath with Magic Johnson, who is truly one of the great ambassadors for our game," Hill said. "I have great appreciation for the role the media play in helping us reach and touch fans."
The 6ft 8in forward was limited to 21 games this season by a sports hernia and was averaging 15.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists.
Kings show Adelman the door
Rick Adelman has been sacked as coach of the Sacramento Kings after their loss in the NBA Play-offs.
Adelman - by far the most successful coach in the team's history - was fired along with his four assistants by Kings president Geoff Petrie. He was the third-longest tenured active coach behind Utah's Jerry Sloan and San Antonio's Gregg Popovich and had a 395-229 record in eight seasons with the Kings, guiding them to the play-offs each year.
It is the longest post-season streak in the history of the franchise, which dates back to the origins of the NBA.
"He leaves as the winningest coach in Sacramento Kings history," Petrie said. "My respect and admiration for him as a coach remains undiminished."
By PA Sport, Exclusively for FIBA
SAN ANTONIO (NBA) - Some of the men who will take center stage at the FIBA World Championship were once again in the spotlight in the NBA play-offs on Tuesday.
Germany's Dirk Nowitzki had 21 points and nine rebounds as the Dallas Mavericks raced to a 113-91 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference semi-finals to level the series at one game apiece.
Team USA's LeBron James had 30 points, 14 boards and seven assists but it wasn't enough for Cleveland as they slipped up against Detroit, 97-91.
Nowitzki, FIBA Europe's Player of the Year after leading Germany to the silver medal at the EuroBasket in Belgrade, was ably supported by Josh Howard (27 points, nine rebounds) and surprise starter Devin Harris, who was sensational on defense.
"I just want to be efficient," said Nowitzki, who will lead Germany at the FIBA World Championship in Japan. "Like tonight I had 20 points but I only took 11 shots. I need more efficient games like that."
After Sunday's 87-85 loss in the opener, Mavericks coach Avery Johnson inserted the speedy guard Harris in the line-up, replacing swingman Adrian Griffin.
The move was a masterstroke as Harris helped contain Frenchman Tony Parker and accelerated the offense to a new gear the Spurs could not match. Harris scored 20 points on seven of 12 shooting, most of them after getting inside the defense.
Another beneficiary was Howard, who did all of his damage in the first three quarters, making seven of 17 shots and 11 of 11 free throws.
Jerry Stackhouse also was a factor with 19 points off the bench for Dallas, who improved to 3-1 on the road in the post-season and return home for Games Three and Four on Saturday and Monday.
Parker scored 15 points and Argentina's Manu Ginobili 13 but they were outplayed by Dallas' guards.
Pistons take 2-0 lead over Cavs
Rasheed Wallace scored 29 points to lead a balanced attack as the Detroit Pistons again asserted themselves early and demoralised the Cleveland Cavaliers with a 97-91 victory that opened a 2-0 series lead.
As they did in Game One, the top-seeded Pistons used a strong start, sharp shooting from the arc and a concerted defensive effort on superstar LeBron James to improve to 6-1 in the postseason. Game Three is Saturday in Cleveland.
He had just seven points in the first half.
"The Pistons are a great defensive team, and I don't want to force things when I don't need to," James said. "I was trying to draw the double-team and get my team-mates involved."
James, who will play for Team USA at the FIBA World Championship, heated up in the second half. He finished with 30 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists
HILL HONOURED
Orlando Magic forward Grant Hill, who has endured another injury-plagued season, has been named winner of the Magic Johnson Award.
The award honours an NBA player who combines excellence on the court with outstanding co-operation with the media and - by extension - the fans and is presented annually by the Professional Basketball Writers Association.
"It is truly an honour to receive this award and be spoken of in the same breath with Magic Johnson, who is truly one of the great ambassadors for our game," Hill said. "I have great appreciation for the role the media play in helping us reach and touch fans."
The 6ft 8in forward was limited to 21 games this season by a sports hernia and was averaging 15.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists.
Kings show Adelman the door
Rick Adelman has been sacked as coach of the Sacramento Kings after their loss in the NBA Play-offs.
Adelman - by far the most successful coach in the team's history - was fired along with his four assistants by Kings president Geoff Petrie. He was the third-longest tenured active coach behind Utah's Jerry Sloan and San Antonio's Gregg Popovich and had a 395-229 record in eight seasons with the Kings, guiding them to the play-offs each year.
It is the longest post-season streak in the history of the franchise, which dates back to the origins of the NBA.
"He leaves as the winningest coach in Sacramento Kings history," Petrie said. "My respect and admiration for him as a coach remains undiminished."
By PA Sport, Exclusively for FIBA
