Welcome back to a playoffs edition of the US Sports Wrap. We're thick in the action of the first round of both NBA and NHL playoffs series so there's plenty to cover, lets get to it.
NBA (Basketball)
Eastern Conference
Chicago Bulls (2) vs Indiana Pacers (0)
Miami Heat (2) vs Philadelphia 76ers (0)
Boston Celtics (2) vs New York Knicks (0)
Orlando Magic (1) vs Atlanta Hawks (1)
Western Conference
San Antonio Spurs (0) vs Memphis Grizzlies (1)
LA Lakers (0) vs New Orleans Hornets (1)
Dallas Mavericks (2) vs Portland Trail Blazers (0)
Oklahoma City (1) vs Denver Nuggets (0)
* Bulls vs Pacers
The Bulls lead the series 2-0 but it hasn't been the easy going affair most were expecting. Apart from two sublime performances from this blog's favourite MVP candidate Derrick Rose (39 and 36 points in the first two games), the Bulls have looked out of sync offensively and the Pacers have been able to break through their usually rock-solid defense. Despite leading late in the first game the Pacers never quite felt safe. Or as the Pacers' Danny Granger put it when asked the question... "with Derrick Rose on the other team, no. It's like a crazy stalker ex-girlfriend. Every time you tell her you don't want to talk to her, she'll show up at your door again".
* Heat vs 76ers
The 'Big Three' in Miami are firing at the right time helping the Heat cruise to a 2-0 series lead with two crushing wins over the 76ers. Lebron James is averaging 25 points, 10.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game in the series, with Chris Bosh also putting in two fantastic performances. If any matchup is going to end in a clean sweep, I think it'll be this one.
* Celtics vs Knicks
After losing a tough game one against the Celtics, the Knicks job in game two was made harder with point guard Chauncey Billups sitting out with a sore knee and Amare Stoudamire leaving the game in the second quarter with back spasms. Carmelo Anthony did put in his best effort with 42 points and 17 rebounds but it wasn't enough to stop KG and the Celtics taking the lead with 14 seconds remaining and holding on for a 96-93 win.
* Magic vs Hawks
A monster game from Dwight Howard wasn't enough to get the Magic over the line in game one. Orlando has struggled with Atlanta all year, losing 3 of their 4 games, and relied too heavily on Superman (46 points and 19 rebounds) and Jameer Nelson (27 points) with no other players reaching double figures in points in game 2.
* Spurs vs Grizzlies
I mentioned that Grizzlies looked like a danger team heading into the playoffs, and they didn't disappoint with a 101-98 win over the Western Conferences' number one seeded Spurs. Power forward Zach Randolph led the way with 25 points and 14 rebounds, however it was Shane Battier who hit the go-ahead three pointer with 23 seconds left to give Memphis their first ever playoff win after 12 attempts. They lead the series 1-0.
* Lakers vs Hornets
The Lakers also suffered a stunning upset losing 109-100 to Chris Paul and his New Orleans Hornets. Paul had a huge game with 33 points and 14 assists. Lakers coach Phil Jackson said of the loss, "Our defense, I thought, was late. I think we were late on everything. They were the aggressors, and they stayed aggressive." Game two in the series will be played today
* Mavs vs Trail Blazers
Statistically it was the 7-foot German Dirk Nowitzki (33 points, 7 rebounds) who led the Mavs, however in reality it was the two old-timers Jason Kidd (18 points) and Peja Stojakovic (21 points) who's work early in the second half which paved the way for the Mavericks 2-0 lead in the series. It's a good position to be in, with The Mavs having won three of the past four playoff series that they've managed to start with a 2-0 lead.
* Thunder vs Nuggets
Huge games from Kevin Durant (41 points, 9 rebounds) and Russell Westbrook (31 points) almost weren't enough to stop a Denver Nuggets team furious about a go-ahead tip-in from Kendrick Perkins with a tad over a minute remaining that should have been ruled as goal-tending. Said Perkins of the incident, "There's a lot of calls that would have probably been questioned tonight, so it ain't just that one. It happens."
* Award Watch
Two of the yearly awards have been announced so far. First up, the Defensive Player of the Year award went to the Magic's Dwight Howard for the third consecutive year. In doing so he became the first player to win the award three times in a row. Also, the 6th Man of the Year went to the Lakers' Lamar Odom.
This is the point where usually we'd have the Top Ten Dunks of the Week... but sadly I can't find one for this past week. Instead, the NBA YouTube channel has put together the Top Ten plays of the year from some of the regular excitement machines. This week, I give you D.Rose!
NHL (Ice Hockey)
Eastern Conference
Washington Capitals (2) vs NY Rangers (1)
Philadelphia Flyers (2) vs Buffalo Sabres (1)
Boston Bruins (1) vs Montreal Canadiens (2)
Pittsburgh Penguins (2) vs Tampa Bay Lightening (1)
Western Conference
Vancouver Canucks (3) vs Chicago Blackhawks (1)
San Jose Sharks (2) vs LA Kings (1)
Detroit Red Wings (3) vs Phoenix Coyotes (0)
Anaheim Ducks (1) vs Nashville Predators (2)
* Blackhawks stun Canucks
Facing elimination trailing three games to nil in the series before yesterday's game, the Chicago Blackhawks brought a second period to remember piling on 4 goals to none before finishing the game 7-2 winners.
* Amazing comeback by Sharks
The San Jose Sharks were trailing 4-0 during the second period of game three before staging a miraculous come-back to win 6-5 in overtime. The Sharks now lead the series 2-1.
* Downie suspended for big hit
Tampa Bay's Steve Downie was suspended for one game for this monster hit on the Penguins' Ben Lovejoy. Worse for the Lightning was the fact that the puck was whipped right back up the ice for a Penguins goal. Ouch!
That's it for this week's edition of the US Sports Wrap. For more sports action check out the latest World Sport Report from Chris Cork and the Friday Experts' Aussie Sports Wrap.