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| Ime Udoka only scored 13 points off the bench for the Spurs, but in the 21 minutes he was on the court the Spurs outscored the Hornets by 28 points. |
Our View: Ime is not much more than a bit player, but in some extended playing time tonight he had a fine game. Don't look for a repeat in Game 7, but it's worth noting that he has averaged 12.3 points over the past three games.
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| Chris Paul scored 21 points, had six rebounds and dished out eight assists in the Hornets 99-80 loss to the Spurs in Game 6. |
Our View: Not a bad effort at all, but more will be needed from Paul if the Hornets are to put the Spurs to bed, especially if David West is out in Game 7.
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| Tim Duncan scored 20 points, had 15 rebounds and handed out six assists for the Spurs in Game 6. |
Our View: Duncan could have a field day in Game 7 if David West isn't healthy enough to play, so keep an eye on his availability.
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| Manu Ginobili scored a game-high 25 points to help the Hornets and Spurs series to a Game 7. Manu hit nine shots including six from long range as he played almost 34 minutes and didn't commit a single turnover. |
Our View: That's what is called a big time performance folks. Look for Manu to consider leading the offensive charge if the Spurs are to move on to the next round.
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| David West scored 10 points before having to leave Game 6 in obvious discomfort after taking a hard pick from Robert Horry, according to the Associated Press. West, who pinched a nerve in Game 5, was taken to the locker room in obvious pain. |
Our View: The Hornets and Spurs are likely headed to a Game 7, and if West can't go the chance of the Hornets merging victorious would seem miniscule.
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| Dikembe Mutombo would like to play one more season, according to the Associated Press. “My body and my mind is responding to the thrill of the game. The coaches and the fans and everyone are in there...“I talked to my wife and kids a lot this week, especially my children want me to play one more year." |
Our View: Mutombo is nothing more than a bench player for an NBA squad and certainly not worthy of anything resembling a roster spot in any fantasy leagues, though it's always nice to see him wag his finger at someone after swatting away one of their shots.
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| Andrei Kirilenko missed practice on Thursday so that he could finalize a travel visa for his family, according to the Associated Press. Apparently, this was the only day he could pick up the visa, or he would have to wait another month. He received permission from the club to miss the practice. |
Our View: Uh, great timing Andrei. Management can't be happy about this given that the Jazz's season is on the line, but it is what it is. Look for him to be active in Game 6.
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| Chauncey Billups is expected to be ready for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, according to the AP. Coach Flip Saunders commented that Billups looked good enough in practice Thursday that he could have played if there was a game. Billups missed the last two games against the Magic with a strained right hamstring. |
Our View: The Pistons are awaiting their next opponent. Boston currently leads Cleveland 3-2, and the Pistons could open the Conference Finals on Sunday if the Celtics eliminate the Cavs in Game 6.
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| Daniel Gibson will miss Game 6 against Boston after separating his left shoulder during the second half of action Wednesday night in Game 5, according to the AP. |
Our View: Cleveland trails Boston 3-2 in the series, and this is a tough loss, as Gibson is among the team's best perimeter shooters.
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| Delonte West developed a mysterious irritation in his left eye during the second half of Monday’s Game 4 in Cleveland against the Celtics, according to the Boston Herald. West visited an eye specialist in Boston and was cleared to play in Game 5 last night. West said, "They said it’s an irritation. All I can describe it like is the feeling of having something in your eye, and it’s constantly there. Things like that can ruin your whole day. I have ointments and all sorts of eye drops to help me get through the game, so it shouldn’t be a problem."
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Our View: The ailment did not hinder him, as he poured in 21 points on Wednesday in Game 5. He should be good to go in critical Game 6, as Boston leads 3-2.
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| J.J. Redick wants more playing time next season, as reported by the Sun Sentinel. Redick played in just 34 games this season and saw limited minutes in two postseason contests for Orlando, which was eliminated Monday by Detroit in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Redick said, "I want to play. There were a lot of things that were said last summer and in the preseason, and I thought I was going to play. It didn’t happen." The team thinks he is a good player, but just envisions him as a backup shooting guard.
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Our View: The sharp-shooter was the 11th overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft, and hit 39.5% of his shots from long range this season. If he leaves Orlando and lands a starting gig, he could make an impact as a fantasy performer.
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| Mehmet Okur registered a double-double in Wednesday's 111-104 loss to the Lakers, as he scored 13 points with 13 boards, along with one assist, one steal, and one block. The Lakers now lead the series 3-2. |
Our View: That was his third double-double in the series against Los Angeles, and his second in a row.
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| As usual, it was Laker guard Kobe Bryant leading the way in the Lakers' 111-104 win over the Utah Jazz in Game 5 of their Western Conference semifinal series. Kobe went 6-of-10 from the floor, 1-of-2 from long range, and 13-of-17 from the free-throw line to score a team-high 26 points, adding six rebounds, seven assists and two steals to the stat line. |
Our View: The supporting case was the key to victory this evening, a refreshing approach for Kobe as the team seeks to keep him happy moving forward.
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| The Lakers were challenged throughout, but they emerged victorious via a 111-107 win over the Utah Jazz. Forward Lamar Odom was a big part of the effort, going 8-of-12 from the field and 6-of-6 from the free-throw line to score 22 points, adding 11 rebounds. |
Our View: Odom has the ability to take the night off, but he has been great down this playoff stretch and showed he has the game to excel this evening.
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| The Utah Jazz couldn't find the answer to the Lakers puzzle this evening, falling 111-107 in Game 5 of their Western Conference semifinal series. Team leader guard Deron Williams went 8-for-19 from the floor, 3-of-7 from three-point range, and 8-for-8 from the charity stripe to score a team-high 27 points, adding 10 assists and five rebounds to the effort. |
Our View: Williams was strong but came up a bit short in leading his team to a road win. Now they must win two in a row to mover forward.
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| The Utah Jazz battled mightily, but in the end they couldn't match the effort of the Los Angeles Lakers, falling 111-104 to fall back 3-2 in their Western Conference semifinal series. Utah forward Carlos Boozer did his best, shooting 6-of-16 from the floor and 6-of-8 from the free-throw line to score 18 points with 12 total rebounds and two assists in the double-double effort. |
Our View: Boozer was frustrated trying to deal with both Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom down low, and that combination proved deadly against Boozer in the paint.
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