Cleveland 86, Detroit 77 (Pistons lead series, 2-1)
All due respect to the Cavs, the Pistons just aren’t playing well in Game 3’s this year. In the first round, it took a 124-104 loss to the Bucks in Game 3 of that series to wake the Pistons up. Yesterday, behind another LeBron James playoff triple-double (21/10/10), the Cavs took advantage of a lackluster performance by Detroit to take Game 3. James scored 15 points in the final period, taking over the game when it mattered most. The win is especially impressive considering that the team was playing the game without Larry Hughes, who was with his family after the death of his younger brother. Flip Murray started in his stead and provided 13 points and seven rebounds in over 45 minutes of playing time. The Pistons were hampered by poor shooting from Rasheed Wallace (3-11), Chauncey Billups (6-15) and Tayshaun Prince (4-10), while committing 16 turnovers in the loss. Cleveland will have the opportunity to even the series in Game 4 on Monday.
Dallas 104, San Antonio 103 (Dallas leads series, 2-1)
Maybe the Mavericks do know how to win the close ones. Things were looking a little grim when Brent Barry hit a wide open three to give the Spurs a 98-95 lead with 3:08 to play. But Dallas fought back and caught a break when Dirk Nowitzki stepped on Tim Duncan’s foot. Nowitzki twisted his ankle, but Duncan was called for his sixth foul and had to leave the game. Nowitzki was hobbled for the rest of the game, but was able to make several key plays to give his team the win. The Mavericks almost squandered the victory when Jerry Stackhouse was fouled with 0:02 to play. After missing the first free throw, he tried to miss the second free throw intentionally, but failed to hit the rim on the attempt, so the Spurs got the ball near midcourt. Without a timeout, the Spurs threw a long pass to Robert Horry, who stumbled as he attempted the game winner, which missed its mark. Tim Duncan finished with 35 points and 12 rebounds, and is having a great series. Manu Ginobili finally looked like his old self, dropping 24 with a series of aggressive drives to the basket. Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavericks with 27/15, including 21 of 24 (88%) from the free throw line. But it was the play of the Mavericks’ 2004 first round draft pick, Devin Harris, that made the difference in the game. He scored 24 points by going to the hole relentlessly, and contained Tony Parker (15 points on 6-16 shooting) on the other end of the court. Dallas could take control of the series with a win at home on Monday.
