Cavaliers near sweep, put away Pistons with late run:
(Cavaliers 79 at Pistons 68)
The Cleveland Cavaliers made the Detroit Pistons’ inspired effort moot. James had 25 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists, leading the Cavaliers to a 79-68 victory Friday night and a 3-0 lead in the first-round series. The Pistons, whose collective heart was questioned by one of their players, played hard for three-plus quarters before being rendered helpless by James. He had an alley-oop slam midway through the fourth quarter during an 18-2 run that started after the sixth tie of the game.
Sixers stun Magic again on late layup
(Magic 94 at 76ers 96)
Thaddeus Young started his drive to the basket and was thinking pass, only to alter his plans because he nearly lost the ball. Instead of an assist or even worse, a turnover, Young made the biggest shot of his life. Young’s driving layup with 2 seconds left lifted Philadelphia to a 96-94 victory over the Orlando Magic on Friday night, giving the 76ers a surprising 2-1 lead in their Eastern Conference first-round series. “It was the biggest shot ever for me,” Young said.
Rockets hold on for pivotal Game 3 win, take 2-1 lead
(Trail Blazers 83 at Rockets 86)
The Houston Rockets got away with another quiet night from Yao Ming because they forced Brandon Roy into one, too. Luis Scola scored 19 points and the Rockets bottled up Roy in an 86-83 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night that gave Houston a 2-1 lead in the first-round series. Yao scored only seven points on 2-for-7 shooting, but Shane Battier scored 16 points as Houston beat the Blazers for the 11th time in the last 12 meetings at the Toyota Center.
[youtube width=”400″ height=”243″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdmnFntrBws[/youtube]