OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The eighth-seeded Memphis Grizzlies have
followed their shocking first-round series victory over San Antonio
by taking the opener of their NBA Western Conference semifinal
series at Oklahoma City. Zach Randolph poured in 34 points and
grabbed 10 rebounds while Marc Gasol (gah-SAHL') contributed 20
points and 13 boards to the Grizzlies' 114-101 win over the
Thunder.
MIAMI (AP) - Dwyane (dwayn) Wade poured in a game-high 38 points
on 14-of-21 shooting as the Miami Heat downed Boston 99-90 in Game
1 of the NBA's Eastern Conference semifinal series. James Jones hit
five three-pointers and finished with 25 points off the bench,
while LeBron James provided 22 points, six rebounds and five
assists.
DEERFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Chicago's Tom Thibodeau (THIB'-uh-doh) is
the overwhelming winner of the NBA's Coach of the Year award,
beating Philadelphia's Doug Collins. Thibodeau led the Bulls to a
62-20 record in his first season at the helm, matching their best
record since Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen completed their
second championship three-peat at the end of the 1997-98 season.
The 62 wins tied a league record set by Paul Westphal for victories
by a first-year coach.
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - Ryan Clowe (kloh) assisted on goals by
Ian White and Niclas Wallin (wah-LEEN') as the San Jose Sharks beat
Detroit 2-1 to take a 2-0 series lead in the NHL's Western
Conference semifinals. Antti Niemi (AN'-tee nee-EH'-mee) made 33
saves and was perfect until Henrik Zetterberg beat him on a power
play with six minutes left.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Tampa Bay has a 2-0 lead in the NHL's Eastern
Conference semifinals after Vincent Lecavalier (leh-KAV'-ul-yay)
scored his second goal of the night at 6:19 of overtime to complete
a 3-2 victory over Washington. Martin St. Louis (mahr-TAN' san
loo-EE') snapped a 1-1 tie at 7:35 of the third period, but the
Capitals forced overtime when Alex Ovechkin (oh-VEHCH'-kihn) scored
with 67 seconds left in regulation. Dwayne Roloson made 35 saves as
the Lightning won their fifth in a row.
