MAVERICKS vs KINGS
[thumb=B]mdf276530.JPG[/thumb]
Sacramento Kings center Vlade Divac looks at the referee after being called for his fifth foul.
Doug Christie scored 21 points to go with nine rebounds and seven assists but the KINGSs fell to the MAVERICKS 112-93. 4 starters from MAVS were in double-figures, including two guys, Van Exel and Raja Bell from the bench. I back 5Abi's theory. KINGS defence has been collasped as their main guy Chris Webber is out of the playoffs. But still I think KINGS can win this series, though, I don't reckon KINGS can go head-to-head against LAKERS or SPURS in the Western Conference Final.
[thumb=B]capt.1052880685kings_mavericks_dna116.JPG[/thumb]
Dallas Mavericks guard Raja Bell is congratulated by teammate Steve Nash (13) after making a dunk against the Sacrametno Kings.
One disappiontment I've noticed from KINGS is Mike Bibby, who's not responding. Last year, he was much better aggressive and dominated person. This year, he's not what he used to be. 10, 11 pts with he's playing is like keeping your average as a player.
But all credit to MAVS. The played great with good ball moment, by picking up offensive rebounds; and defence was on its peak. Game 6 is on Thursday as the series heads back to Sacromento.
LAKERS vs SPURS
[thumb=B]capt.1052886971lakers_spurs_saa111.JPG[/thumb]
Los Angeles Lakers' Robert Horry (5) reacts after missing a 3-point shot in the final seconds.
Robert Horry's last-second three-pointer rimmed in-and-out, stopping the LAKERS' wild comeback just short, and the defending champs lost to the SPURS 96-94 in Game 5 on Tuesday to go down 3-2 in their Western Conference Semifinals series. It ruined a great comeback as Phill Jackson said but anyway, it was a good effort by Horry. L.A. cut a 25-point San Antonio lead to just one but couldn't quite catch up and now face a must-win situation at home. It was a good decision by Kobe to let Horry to take the final winning shot 'cause Horry was open; and Duncan wasn't guarding him. Well, Robert has struggled alot from the downtown in the series against SPURS. At least, he's trying to be aggressive; and that's all it matters.
LAKERS were outclassed by the SPURS in the 1st half. In the 2nd half, LAKERS caught up fire as SPURS almost gave their lead and escaped Game 5. Before even the start of the playoffs, I knew this series will be different than others. This series is not best of 7-Game anymore. It has come down to Best of 3. LAKERS are in the same position as they were last year against KINGS, against TRAILBLAZZERS in 2000.
[thumb=B]stanislav_medvedenko.JPG[/thumb]
Stanislav Medvedenko.
I was surprised by the move of Phill Jackson sitting Shaquille out almost 6 minutes in the 4th qtr. Stanislav Medvedenko replaced O'Neal and he poured 13-pt off the bench. Sweet......Haven't LAKERS been looking for this kinda help from bench for couple of years and now found it, hey?
And then there were some poor decision by the refs. I'm not saying just 'cause it happened against LAKERS but this year refs have made mistakes in almost every game of the playoffs; and that really stinks. Players makes mistakes. Refs makes mistakes.
First one, goes on Shaquille as technical. He got involved in a debate with a ref as he didn't call for a foul.
[thumb=B]capt.1052888421lakers_spurs_saa115.JPG[/thumb]
Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal (34) battles San Antonio Spurs defenders Stephen Jackson (3), Tim Duncan (21) and David Robinson for control of the ball.
As long as SPURS or other team are guarding O'Neal, that's fine. But stripping a ball from a person's hand doesn't make sense to say it's the way to steal or to defend. And that really pissed Shaquille off.
[thumb=B]mdf276576.JPG[/thumb]
Los Angeles Lakers' guard Kobe Bryant(R) protests a foul call to ref Don CRAWFORD
Second one was, not giving a foul as Bryant protested. There's was a contact of Bowen's hand to Bryant's, and no call. Huh..........First NBA teams facing injuries, then poor decision by refs and I wonder are the rest games of the playoffs gonna be like that?
[thumb=B]capt.1052889126lakers_spurs_saa117.JPG[/thumb]
San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan, left, congratulates teammate Tony Parker (9)
Anyway, congrats to SPURS. They pulled off a game, which they were about to lose. Duncan said about Horry's shot in a press conference: "I was just hoping that it doesn't go in. That's all I was thinking."
Game 6 @ STAPLES Center as the series heads back to Los Angeles.
- **NBA Playoffs 2003 - SEMI-FINALS Result :-
EASTERN CONFERENCE:**
WESTERN CONFERENCE:**
