Monday, April 26, 2004
Lakers 92, Rockets 88, OT
HOUSTON -- Karl Malone had 30 points and 13 rebounds while playing with the energy of someone half his age, as Los Angeles took a 3 games to 1 lead in the series. The last of Malone's three steals, along with his second offensive rebound, put the finishing touches on the win. Game 5 will be Wednesday night in Los Angeles. Houston held Los Angeles scoreless over the final 41/2 minutes of regulation and led by as many as four in overtime. Kobe Bryant scored six of his 18 points in overtime, including a three-point play that put the Lakers ahead with 40 seconds remaining. Steve Francis nailed a 21-footer to tie it at 81-81 with 39 seconds to go in regulation and finished with 17 points.
Nets 100, Knicks 94
NEW YORK -- Kenyon Martin shook off verbal jabs from injured New York forward Tim Thomas and scored 36 points -- 13 in the fourth quarter -- to lead New Jersey to its third straight sweep in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Martin also grabbed 13 rebounds, and Jason Kidd had 20 points and seven assists for the Nets, who have won 14 consecutive postseason games against Eastern opponents, dating to last year when they reached the NBA Finals for the second straight season. Stephon Marbury had 31 points -- 14 in the fourth quarter -- for the Knicks, who built an 85-79 lead with 6:50 remaining but couldn't hold on. Penny Hardaway had 17 points, and Kurt Thomas added 14 points and 15 rebounds. New York made its first playoff appearance in three years, but it was a short stay for the Knicks, who were swept in a best-of-seven series for the first time since 1983. The Knicks hadn't been swept since 1991 when they lost a best-of-five series to Chicago. The Nets beat the Knicks in the playoffs for the first time in three tries and await the winner of the series between Milwaukee and Detroit.
Spurs 110, Grizzlies 97
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Tony Parker matched his career high with 29 points and had a postseason-best 13 assists to help the San Antonio sweep Memphis. The Spurs have won 15 straight regular-season and playoff games. It also was San Antonio's first series sweep since beating Portland in 1999 en route to its first NBA title. Tim Duncan celebrated his 28th birthday with 26 points for the Spurs. Robert Horry had 14 off the bench, and Bruce Bowen and Manu Ginobili each added 10. Pau Gasol led the Grizzlies with 22 points, but had only two rebounds. James Posey added 20 points, and Earl Watson and Jason Williams each had 13. The Grizzlies got within nine twice in the fourth quarter, the last on a 3-pointer by Mike Miller at 92-83 with 7:44 to go. Parker answered with a pair of free throws, and the Spurs just pushed the lead back to double digits.
Source: Associated Press
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