Terreno Deportivo Around the Association presented by T-Mobile: April 24
Go Around the Association for a recap of Thursday’s games, including Houston’s season-saving Game 3 win at Utah.
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McGrady Leads Rocket over Jazz in Game 3
Tracy McGrady snapped out of his fourth-quarter slump and scored seven of his 27 points in the final period, leading Houston to a 94-92 victory over Utah on Thursday night that gave the Rockets life in a series that could have been headed for a sweep.
Savage: Rockets-Jazz Game 3 Live Blog
Follow the action with commentary from NBA.com’s Dan Savage, who is blogging live Game 3 of Rockets-Jazz.
Wizards Get Off Ropes, Dominate Cavaliers in Game 3
DeShawn Stevenson and Caron Butler found their games and LeBron James could not locate his as the Washington Wizards pounded the Cleveland Cavaliers, 108-72, in Game 3 of teir Eastern Conference first-round series Thursday night.
Raptors Cut Magic’s Lead to 2-1
T.J. Ford scored 21 points, Jose Calderon had 18 points and 13 assists, and the Toronto Raptors beat the Orlando Magic 108-94 on Thursday night in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series.
Kings F Ron Artest Has Thumb Surgery
Sacramento Kings forward Ron Artest had surgery Thursday to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb but should be ready in plenty of time for training camp.
Slane: Magic-Raptors Game 3 Live Blog
Follow the action with commentary as NBA.com’s Mike Slane blogs live for Game 3 of Magic-Raptors.
Cohen: Cavaliers-Wizards Game 3 Live Blog
Follow the action with commentary as NBA.com’s Josh Cohen blogs live for Game 3 of the Cavs-Wizards series.
McGrady: Playoffs Put Him in ‘Tough Situation’
Jonathan Feigen of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE writes “In the first two games, McGrady is 0-for-7 shooting in the fourth quarter, prompting more debate on his play in this and past postseasons. ‘I’m in a tough position,’ McGrady said. ‘If I go out and try to be passive and we’re not making shots, then we’re in a hole. If I am aggressive and I have to stay that way, then fourth quarter, I’m worn out, don’t have the lift I do in the first three quarters. It’s a tough situation to be in.’”
chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/5725471.html?rss=true
76ers Executive Vice President Larry Brown Resigns
Philadelphia 76ers President and General Manager Ed Stefanski announced today that Executive Vice President Larry Brown has chosen to resign.
Around the Association presented by T-Mobile: April 23
Go Around the Association for a recap of Wednesday’s action, which included the Celtics’ Game 2 win over the Hawks and a 49-point performance from Kobe Byrant in his Lakers’ victory.
McMenamin: Denver-LA Lakers Game 2 Blog
Kobe Bryant put his head down and drove straight for the basket, bringing J.R. Smith along for the ride the same way a car speeding down the highway picks up an unexpected passenger in the form of a squashed insect on the windshield.
Bryant’s 49 Points Lead Lakers Over Nuggets
Kobe Bryant had 49 points and 10 assists Wednesday night, and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Denver Nuggets 122-107 to take a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series.
Celtics Grab 2-0 Series Lead on Hawks
Kevin Garnett had 19 points and 10 rebounds, and Rondo added 12 points, eight assists and six rebounds to lead Boston to a 96-77 victory over Atlanta on Wednesday night and a 2-0 lead in the first-round series.
Pistons Even Series with Game 2 Rout of Sixers
Rasheed Wallace scored 11 of his 16 points in the first quarter and Detroit went on to beat Philadelphia 105-88 in Game 2 on Wednesday night to even the first-round series.
Pennsylvania Temporarily Renames Highway to Honor Sixers
As the Philadelphia 76ers continue their National Basketball Association Playoffs series against the Detroit Pistons, the team is requesting that travelers in the Greater Philadelphia Region refer to the Schuylkill Expressway by its proper name (I-76) and add “ers” to the end. The team hopes this will spread and people will immediately begin calling the popularly traveled highway “I-76ers.”
Hawks’ Johnson Recalls Rookie Year With Celtics
“Joe Johnson’s time in a Boston uniform was so brief ? 49 games during his rookie season ? that he barely remembers the particulars,” writes Sekou Smith of the ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION. “I don’t remember where I lived or really anything else about it,” said Johnson, the 10th pick in the 2001 NBA draft. “It was a blur. It went so fast I don’t remember a lot, other than them giving me a chance to play in the league. Other than that, it was a short stint.” If Johnson and his Hawks teammates aren’t careful, their time in the playoffs will suffer the same fate.
ajc.com/sports/content/sports/hawks/stories/2008/04/22/johnson_04
Celtics’ Rondo Brimming With Confidence
He always has been considered bright beyond his years, and certainly smarter than the rest of the people on the floor,” writes Mark Murphy of the BOSTON HERALD. “If the best basketball players see the game develop at a slower speed, then that was Rajon Rondo [stats] from the time he became a point guard. “He’s so smart,”said Doug Bibby, who coached the Celtics [team stats] point guard for three years at Louisville (Ky.) Eastern High School, before Rondo moved on to Oak Hill Academy in Virginia. “I pick his brains right now whenever I get the chance.?
bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1089
Nuggets, Lakers Have Sense of Urgency
In the ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS, Chris Tomasson writes “it’s rush hour in Los Angeles. A new reason has emerged why the Lakers wouldn’t mind making quick work of the Nuggets. The Lakers have seen Utah go to Houston and take a 2-0 lead. With a quick series possible and the Jazz being the Lakers’ next possible opponent, a drawn-out series against the Nuggets would not be considered ideal. Fisher, whose Lakers won Game 1 of the Western Conference first-round series 128-114 on Sunday, knows very well the importance of tonight’s Game 2 at the Staples Center. He needs only to look at the numbers. In NBA history, teams having taken a 2-0 lead in a best-of-seven series are 191-13. That’s a staggering winning percentage of .936.?
rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/apr/23/nuggets-lakers-both-have-s
Houston’s Alston Pushes Toward Game 3 Return
In the HOUSTON CHRONICLE, Michael Murphy writes “coach Rockets fans have found the first two games of the first-round Western Conference series against the Utah Jazz hard to watch, imagine how the view has been for Rafer Alston. As the Rockets prepare for Thursday’s Game 3 at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Alston thinks there’s a good chance he’ll finally be on the court passing the ball rather than on the bench passing time. ?I’m pushing hard,’ Alston said of his rehab work. ?I’m closer than I was two days ago. I’m doing things that I would have to do ? slash, cut, being able to slide. Right now I’m pushing for Game 3.”?
chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/5722818.html?rss=true