Game Six: Houston vs Portland

Game Six

Houston lead the series 3-2 and are looking to end the series tonight — which they should do

Von Wafer reportedly was not going to play, but it looks like he’ll be suiting up.

Tuning into the Rockets-Blazers game late because of the triple overtime Bulls-Celtics game. We are four minutes into the third quarter, with Houston leading 58-43.

Third Quarter

Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge have 32 of Portland’s 44 points. Make that 34 of their 46 points as Roy makes two FTs at the line.

Ron Artest has 21 points for Houston. A balanced scoring effort by his lead.
Artest drives baseline, gets a step on his man easily, to the rim, layup.

Game Six: Chicago vs Boston

Game Six

Boston leads the series 3-2 and I like their chances to end the series tonight.

First Quarter

A John Salmons three pointer from the left wing puts Chicago ahead 3-2. Lovely block by Ty Thomas on Pierce’s layup attempt off some good dribble penetration from Paul, the Bulls miss a short shot by Noah on the other end.

Ah no, Perkins picks up a stupid foul off the ball 80 feet from the rim, while walking back down court. The Celtics can’t win this game without Perkins on the floor for big minutes, and playing well. Perk can’t afford to pick up stupid fouls like that.

Sheed Did Not Ask For Buyout

The Detroit News reports

Sorry to spoil another rumor with the truth.

Contrary to published reports out of Cleveland, Rasheed Wallace never approached Joe Dumars about a buyout.

Could you imagine? Here’s Wallace, struggling most of the season, missing 11 games with a calf injury, coming into Dumars’ office and saying, “Joe, I need you to buy me out so I can finish the season with the Cavs. You know, help LeBron get that ‘ship.”

Wallace, as Dumars confirmed through e-mail Tuesday, wouldn’t be that bold, or stupid.

Game Five: Denver vs New Orleans

Game Five

The Nuggets lead the series 3-1 and are trying to close out the series tonight. I think the Nuggets will win this one.

Tyson Chandler will not play tonight. Hilton Armstrong starts in his place.

First Quarter

Tuning in after the first seven minutes of the quarter. Denver is leading 12-11, make that 14-11 after Nene drops two FTs out of the timeout.

Rasual Butler is bringing the ball upcourt against Billups, it takes him 14 seconds to get rid of the ball and that was a sideways pass to Paul 25 feet from the rim. Good pressure defense from Billups there. Butler runs down to the baseline, curls off screen, catch and shoot, good plus a foul on Chauncey. The possession worked out well for the Hornets but that looks like a problem waiting to happen.

Game Five: Atlanta vs Miami

Game Five

The series is tied 2-2. I like Atlanta’s chances at taking the lead in the series tonight.

Marvin Williams will not play.

First Quarter

Miami are leading 8-6 after a few minutes. We’ve seen a powerful dunk from Josh Smith and some nice play from Jermaine O’Neal.

Odd stat — Wade has 32 three pointers versus 23 free throw attempts in the series.

Good defense by James Jones, great contest on JJ’s fadeaway J from 22 feet in the right corner. Jones’ length is going to bother that shot, JJ has to put the ball on the floor and take Jones off the bounce.

Dwight Howard Suspended For Game Six

ESPN reports

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard has been suspended for one game without pay for Tuesday’s first-quarter elbow to the head of Philadelphia 76ers center Samuel Dalembert.

The NBA announced the suspension Wednesday afternoon.

The league announcement stated that Howard will serve his suspension Thursday night in Game 6 at Philadelphia. The Magic lead the series three games to two after their 91-78 win.

Video replays clearly showed Howard swiping at Dalembert’s head.

Marvin Williams Uncertain For Game Five

The Atlanta Constitution reports

If the Hawks are going to dig their way out of their first-round playoff series against Miami by Wednesday’s Game 5, they might have to do it without any help from Marvin Williams.

The starting small forward missed his second straight game with a sprained right wrist Monday night when he sat out Game 4 at American Airlines Arena.

Bynum May Rejoin Starting Lineup

The LA Times reports

Lakers coach Phil Jackson still isn’t happy with the play of Andrew Bynum, but hinted that the young center could return to the starting lineup in the second round.

Jackson took Bynum out of the starting lineup in favor of Lamar Odom midway through the team’s first-round series against the Jazz.

“I just didn’t think he got comfortable playing tonight,” Jackson said, reflecting on Bynum’s play Monday night. “He can certainly give us minutes against [Houston or Portland]. I would put him right back in the start of the game.”

Moon To Have Surgery

RealGM has the press release

The Miami Heat announced Tuesday that forward Jamario Moon will undergo surgery to repair a sports hernia on Thursday, April 30.

The procedure will be performed by Dr. David Edelman at Baptist Doctors Hospital in Miami. Moon will rest for a period of two weeks and then be re-evaluated.

That’s terrible news for Miami.

Tuesday’s Games

There were four games:

• Boston vs Chicago – click here
• Orlando vs Philadelphia
• San Antonio vs Dallas
• Portland vs Houston – click here

I wrote a game time post for two of those games, albeit only the fourth quarter for the Blazers game, and have posted a link to those posts above. The other two games will get some box score punditry here.