Atlanta Hawks and New Orleans Hornets win: NBA Playoffs Sunday Roundup - Part 2
Joe Johnson scored 10 of his 20 points in the final four minutes of the final period as the Atlanta Hawks cruised past the Orlando Magic 88-85 on Sunday night at Philips Arena. Atlanta leads the Eastern conference best-of-seven quarterfinal series 3-1.
Jamal Crawford came off the bench with 25 points and six assists while Al Horford contributed 14 points and 12 rebounds in the victory.
The dazzling Dwight Howard was once again a bright spot in the defeat for the Magic, adding 29 points and 17 rebounds, both game-highs. Gilbert Arenas ended with 20 points and five rebounds for the Magic.
The fifth-seeded Hawks limited Orlando to shoot a season-low 27.9 percent from the field in the first half, taking a 46-37 lead into the locker room. The Magic cut their 9-point halftime deficit to five, 66-61, at the end of the third quarter.
Orlando fought hard to make it a one-point contest, 84-83, with 22 seconds to go in the fourth quarter. The Hawks responded with a 4-1 run in the closing seconds to seal the third victory of the series.
New Orleans Hornets 93 – Los Angeles Lakers 88
The New Orleans Hornets were able to beat the Los Angeles Lakers by the score of 93-88 in the fourth game of the Western Conference best-of seven quarterfinal series at the New Orleans Arena.
The win squares the first round of the 2011 NBA playoffs series at two games apiece, with Game 5 on Tuesday night at Staples Center.
Chris Paul played one of his best games of the series with a triple-double of 27 points, 15 assists, and 13 rebounds in the victory. Forward Trevor Ariza added 19 points and six rebounds while Carl Landry finished with 16 points and seven rebounds for the
Hornets.
Kobe “Black Mamba” Bryant could not add much for the Lakers, ending with 17 points, eight assists, and six rebounds. Pau Gasol and forward Ron Artest chipped in with 16 points each for the two-time defending NBA champions. Bryant “Black Mamba” went scoreless
in the first half of the game, providing the Hornets with an opportunity to take a 49-45 lead into the second half.
The Lakers played well in the third quarter and cut the deficit to two, heading into the fourth. Paul hit a pair of free throws with 1:12 to go in the fourth quarter to put New Orleans ahead by 88-82. Los Angeles went on a 6-2 run in the next few seconds
to make it a two-point contest, 88-90. The Hornets guard, Jarrett Jack hit three crucial free throws in the last seven seconds of the game to walk away with a victory.
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