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Posted 5-4-08
National Basketball Association Playoff Game Capsules
Final Score: Detroit 91, Orlando 72
Auburn Hills, MI (Sports Network) - Chauncey Billups scored 19 points and dished out seven assists as Detroit took control with a big run in the third quarter for a 91-72 win over the Orlando Magic in the opener of their Eastern Conference semifinal series. Richard Hamilton added 17 points, while Jason Maxiell scored 12 to go along with nine rebounds in the win. Tayshaun Prince tallied 12 points and eight boards, while Antonio McDyess scored 10 for the Pistons, who are trying to make it to the conference finals for a sixth consecutive year. The Pistons beat the Magic for the eighth straight time in the postseason and limited the Magic to a 2-of-15 performance from three-point range. Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu each had 18 points for the Magic. Dwight Howard had 12 points and eight rebounds, but by the end of the game was on the bench with a left thumb injury. Howard's hand was heavily wrapped in a bandage. He hurt the thumb going for a rebound in the final minute of the third quarter. After the game, Howard said his thumb was bruised, but that he would be okay. Game 2 of the best-of-seven set is scheduled for Monday night at the Palace.
Final Score: New Orleans 101, San Antonio 82
New Orleans, LA (Sports Network) - David West scored a playoff career-best 30 points, and the Hornets put the defensive clamps on Tim Duncan and beat the San Antonio Spurs, 101-82, in an eventful opener of their Western Conference semifinal series. Duncan was limited to a career playoff-low five points on 1-of-9 shooting. He also had just three rebounds. That's a far cry from the 24.8 points and 13.8 boards he averaged during San Antonio's first-round series win over Phoenix. The two-time league MVP averaged 22.5 points and 10.5 rebounds in four games versus the Hornets during the regular season. Peja Stojakovic added 22 points and Chris Paul contributed 17 points and 13 assists for New Orleans, which scored 13 in a row during the third quarter on the way to beating the defending world champions. Tyson Chandler had 10 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks. West shot 13-of-23 from the field, and the Hornets made half of their shots from the floor and dominated on the glass by a 50-34 count. Tony Parker scored 23 for the Spurs, who were manhandled by a 56-33 margin in the second half. Manu Ginobili tallied 19 points and Bruce Bowen 17 in defeat.Game 2 of the best-of-seven set is Monday night at New Orleans Arena.
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