Cavaliers hold off Pistons:
(Pistons 82 at Cavaliers 94)
For three quarters, the Cleveland Cavaliers were at their basketball best. “It was beautiful,” Mo Williams said. It didn’t end that way. Cleveland blew most of a 29-point lead in the final period against Detroit’s reserves and the Cavaliers had to reinsert LeBron James to restore order before hanging on for a 94-82 win over the Pistons on Tuesday night to take a 2-0 lead in their Eastern Conference playoff series. James, showing no regard for a defensive plan Detroit spent three days preparing for him, scored 29 and Williams added 21 as the Cavaliers withstood a stirring comeback by the Pistons, who used a 27-5 run to close within seven on Antonio McDyess’ jumper with 3:51 left.
Hamilton led the Pistons with 17 points but none of their front line played especially well.
“Our mindset is still positive,” Hamilton said. “They did what they were supposed to do. This isn’t anything new, we know what it takes to win.”
Kobe, Lakers hang on to beat Jazz in Game 2:
(Jazz 109 at Lakers 119)
The Utah Jazz played better and it still didn’t matter. Kobe Bryant scored 26 points, Pau Gasol added 22 and Lamar Odom had 19 off the bench in the Lakers’ 119-109 victory over the Jazz on Tuesday night, giving Los Angeles a 2-0 lead in the best-of-7 first-round Western Conference playoff series. “We’re not thinking about it being over at all,” Bryant said. “We’re thinking about Game 3.” The Lakers’ Phil Jackson notched his 195th career postseason victory, the most of any coach in NBA history.
Roy’s 42 lifts Blazers past Rockets in Game 2:
(Rockets 103 at Trail Blazers 107)
After winning their first playoff game in six years, the Portland Trail Blazers couldn’t help but be a little amazed with their victory over the Houston Rockets. “We kind of laughed about it, ‘Man, it’s hard winning games in the playoffs. It takes a lot of work,”‘ said Brandon Roy, who had 42 points in Portland’s 107-103 victory Tuesday night. The playoff series, now even at a game apiece, moves to Houston for Game 3 on Friday. Aaron Brooks led a late charge and finished with 23 points for Houston, which has not made it out of the first round since 1997.
Rockets’ Mutombo hurts knee, leaves game on stretcher:
Mutombo, an 18-year NBA veteran, appeared to get tangled with Portland center Greg Oden and came down hard on his left leg late in the first quarter of Game 2. Preliminary examination revealed a knee strain.
The 42 yearsveteran was on crutches and fighting back tears.
“Nobody ever thought they’d be carrying the big guy out like a wounded soldier,” he said. “For me, basketball is over,” he said.