News from May 11.

Ivan Chiriaev (19 yrs old, Russia, center) withdrew his name from the NBA
draft.  Players who had declared for the draft can withdraw up to June 17.


LAL 98, SA 90  at LAL
Shaquille O'Neal (LAL) had 28 points on 10-18 FG and 8-11 FT, 14 rebounds,
and 4 blocks.
Kobe Bryant (LAL) had 42 points on 15-27 FG and 10-13 FT, 6 rebounds, 5
assists, and 3 steals.
Karl Malone (LAL) had 9 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists.
Gary Payton (LAL) had 8 points on 4-11 FG, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Tim Duncan (SA) had 19 points including 9-12 FT, 10 rebounds, and 8
assists.
Tony Parker (SA) had 18 points and 8 assists.
Manu Ginobili (SA) had 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists.
The series is tied 2-2.

NJ 94, Det 79  at NJ
Richard Jefferson (NJ) had 19 points and 7 rebounds.
Kenyon Martin (NJ) had 18 points, 15 rebounds, and 3 blocks.
Kerry Kittles (NJ) had 14 points and 5 assists.
Jason Kidd (NJ) had 22 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists, and 6 turnovers.
Ben Wallace (Det) had 6 points on 1-5 FG and 4-8 FT, 15 rebounds, and 3
steals.
Richard Hamilton (Det) had 30 points and 6 rebounds.
The series is tied 2-2.


Playoff Standings
  1st Round            2nd Round            3rd Round          Finals
  (Best of 7)          (Best of 7)          (Best of 7)        (Best of 7)
1 Minnesota (4) ____
8 Denver (1)        |_ 1 Minnesota (2) __
                     _ 4 Sacramento (1)  |
4 Sacramento (4) ___|                    |_              __
5 Dallas (1)                              _                |
                                         |                 |
2 LA Lakers (4) ____                     |                 |
7 Houston (1)       |_ 2 LA Lakers (2)  _|                 |
                     _ 3 San Antonio (2)                   |
3 San Antonio (4) __|                                      |
6 Memphis (0)                                              |_ 
                                                            _ 
                                                           |
1 Indiana (4) ______                                       |
8 Boston (0)        |_ 1 Indiana (2) ____                  |
                     _ 4 Miami (1)       |                 |
4 Miami (4) ________|                    |                 |
5 New Orleans (3)                        |_              __|
                                          _ 
2 New Jersey (4) ___                     |
7 New York (0)      |_ 2 New Jersey (2) _|
                     _ 3 Detroit (2)
3 Detroit (4) ______|
6 Milwaukee (1)
 

Second Round  (Central times)  *if necessary
Wednesday, May 12
  Game 4: Indiana at Miami             7:00 pm  ESPN
  Game 4: Minnesota at Sacramento      9:30 pm  ESPN

Thursday, May 13
  Game 5: LA Lakers at San Antonio     7:00 pm  ESPN

Friday, May 14
  Game 5: New Jersey at Detroit        6:00 pm  TNT
  Game 5: Sacramento at Minnesota      8:30 pm  TNT

Saturday, May 15
  Game 5: Miami at Indiana              TBA
  Game 6: San Antonio at LA Lakers      TBA     TNT

Sunday, May 16
  Game 6: Detroit at New Jersey         TBA     
 *Game 6: Minnesota at Sacramento      3:30 pm  ABC

Tuesday, May 18
 *Game 6: Indiana at Miami             7:00 pm  

Wednesday, May 19
 *Game 7: Sacramento at Minnesota       TBA
 *Game 7: LA Lakers at San Antonio      TBA

Thursday, May 20
 *Game 7: New Jersey at Detroit         TBA
 *Game 7: Miami at Indiana              TBA