Nba Playoffs, Playoffs | featured news

Josh Smith scored 22 points and grabbed 18 rebounds, leading the Atlanta Hawks to an 83-74 victory over Boston in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference playoffs Sunday night, the final minute turning ugly when Celtics star Rajon Rondo was ejected for bumping an official.

A day before Andrew Bynum produced one of the most eye-popping defensive performances in NBA playoff history, he spoke up to his Lakers teammates about the importance of getting off to a good start in their championship quest.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, left, puts up a shot as Denver Nugget

Tony Parker scored 28 points and the San Antonio Spurs won their first playoff opener in four years, beating the Utah Jazz 106-91 in Game 1 of their first-round series Sunday.

Kevin Durant scored 25 points and hit the game-winning jumper from the foul line with 1.5 seconds left to lift the Thunder to a 99-98 victory over the Mavericks on Saturday night in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series..

The air got sucked out of United Center with 1 minutes 20 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Derrick Rose, back and bouncing, was still in the game, neither the score (12-point lead) nor the clock requiring it. But this was the playoffs, Philadelphia had trailed a few minutes earlier by 20, Chicago coach Tom Thibodeau wanted to seal the deal.

Incredibly, they were the 29th-ranked offense in April, scoring less than a point per possession over their final 16 games. Only the 7-59 Charlotte Bobcats were worse. Now, it's not like anyone was writing the Heat off before the postseason began.

The Orlando Magic entered Indiana's building as huge underdogs and walked out talking trash....

Roy Hibbert scored 26 points as the Indiana Pacers beat the Boston Celtics 107-100 on Monday night and remained in sole possession of eighth place in the Eastern Conference playoff race....

With the playoffs looming, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh are finding a new gear.

As if there wasn't enough drama already, the Chicago Bulls' season took another weird twist and this one involves coach Vinny Del Negro and executive vice president John Paxson....