Miami 106, New Jersey 105 (Heat win series, 4-1)
Surely, the Heat did not want to go back to New Jersey for a Game 6. Six Miami players scored in double figures, led by Antoine Walker’s 23 points. Dwayne Wade posted 21 points, six rebounds and six assists, and came up with a key steal as the Nets were trying to set up for the game winning shot. Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson each had 33 points, seven rebounds and five assists, while Jason Kidd posted 22 points and eight dimes. Shaquille O’Neal had a quiet, yet effective game, scoring 17 points on 8-10 shooting. Miami moves on and awaits the winner of the Detroit/Cleveland series, which is tied 2-2.
Phoenix 125, L.A. Clippers 118 (Suns lead, 3-2)
Phoenix had this game won. Then the Clippers had it won. Then the Suns actually won it. Phoenix led by as many as 19 points in the middle of the third quarter, but the Clippers stormed back to tie the game, 101-101, with 0:39 to play in regulation. Several missed shots later, the game went to overtime. With 0:03 to play in the first overtime, Sam Cassell – who had a costly 8-second violation at the end of regulation – calmly hit two free throws to give the Clippers a three point lead. After advancing the ball with a timeout (which is one NBA rule that drives me nuts), Raja Bell pushed off on the Clippers’ Daniel Ewing and got open in the corner. Ewing closed out on Bell, but he got the shot off and drained the game-tying bucket, forcing a second overtime. The wind was clearly out of the Clippers’ sails in the second extra period, but they kept the game close until the final minute of play. Shawn Marion led all scorers with 36 points, grabbing 20 rebounds in the process. Tim Thomas and Raja Bell chipped in 25 and 22 points, respectively, with each player hitting five threes in the game. Elton Brand led the Clippers with 33 points and 15 rebounds, while Cassell scored 32. The series moves back to L.A. for Game 6 on Thursday. The Clippers have to win to force a Game 7.
