News from April 21.

Yao Ming, a prospective top 5 draft pick, has been granted release by his
Chinese team, clearing the way for Yao to enter the NBA draft and joined an
NBA team next season.


Dal 101, Min 94 - at Dal
Michael Finley (Dal) had 16 points and 3 steals.
Steve Nash (Dal) had 21 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists.
Dirk Nowitzki (Dal) had 30 points including 9-10 FT, 15 rebounds, and 3
blocks.
Nick Van Exel (Dal) had 18 points and 7 assists.
Chauncey Billups (Min) had 25 points, 6 rebounds, and 9 assists.
Kevin Garnett (Min) had 19 points, 21 rebounds including 7 offensive, and
6 assists.
Radoslav Nesterovic (Min) had 16 points and 6 rebounds.
Min out-rebounded Dal 58-39 including 20-4 offensive.
Dal leads the series 1-0.

LAL 95, Por 87 - at LAL
Shaquille O'Neal (LAL) had 25 points including 5-10 FT and 9 rebounds.
Kobe Bryant (LAL) had 34 points on 10-28 FG and 12-13 FT, 7 rebounds, and
3 blocks.
Derek Fisher (LAL) had 12 points and 6 rebounds.
Rasheed Wallace (Por) had 25 points including 4-7 3-pointers and 14
rebounds.
Derek Anderson (Por) had 22 points.
LAL leads the series 1-0.

Det 85, Tor 63 - at Det
Ben Wallace (Det) had 19 points including 8-11 FG, 20 rebounds, 3 blocks,
and 3 steals.
Jerry Stackhouse (Det) had 20 points including 10-10 FT.
Corliss Williamson (Det) had 14 points and 6 rebounds.
Jerome Williams (Tor) had 11 points and 13 rebounds.
Antonio Davis (Tor) had 15 points and 14 rebounds.
Det shot 40.3% (31-77) FG and Tor shot 29.9% (23-77) FG.
Eric Montross (Tor, sprained left foot) did not play.
Det leads the series 1-0.

Bos 92, Phi 82 - at Bos
Antoine Walker (Bos) had 20 points including 8-23 FG and 7 rebounds.
Paul Pierce (Bos) had 31 points including 10-25 FG, 11 rebounds, 3 blocks,
and 4 steals.
Walter McCarty (Bos) had 14 points including 6-8 FG.
Matt Harpring (Phi) had 18 points and 8 rebounds.
Allen Iverson (Phi) had 20 points on 4-15 FG and 12-15 FT.
Bos leads the series 1-0.


Playoff Standings
  1st Round             2nd Round            3rd Round         Finals
  (Best of 5)           (Best of 7)          (Best of 7)     (Best of 7)
1 Sacramento (1) __
8 Utah (0)         |_ _____________ _____
                    _ _____________      |
4 Dallas (1)    ___|                     |_ _____________ _
5 Minnesota (0)                           _ _____________  |
                                         |                 |
2 San Antonio (1) _                      |                 |
7 Seattle (0)      |_ _____________ _____|                 |
                    _ _____________                        |
3 LA Lakers (1) ___|                                       |
6 Portland (0)                                             |_ ___________
                                                            _ ___________
                                                           |
1 New Jersey (0) __                                        |
8 Indiana (1)      |_ _____________  ____                  |
                    _ _____________      |                 |
4 Charlotte (1) ___|                     |                 |
5 Orlando (0)                            |_ _____________ _|
                                          _ _____________ 
2 Detroit (1) _____                      |
7 Toronto (0)      |_ _____________ _____|
                    _ _____________    
3 Boston (1)      _|
6 Philadelphia (0)