News from May 2. Gheorghe Muresan (Was) won the Most Improved Player award. Muresan received 50 of the 113 votes. The award was voted on by the media. Muresan averaged 14.5 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks. George McCloud (Dal) received 23 votes, Danny Ferry (Cle) 6 votes, Terrell Brandon (Cle) 6 votes, Tracy Murray (Tor) 4 votes, Brian Williams (LAC) 4 votes, Elden Campbell (LAL) 3 votes, Shawn Bradley (NJ) 2 votes, Chris Childs (NJ) 2 votes, Allan Houston (Det) 2 votes, Bobby Phills (Cle) 2 votes, Dennis Scott (Orl) 2 votes, David Wesley (Bos) 2 votes, Greg Anthony (Van) 1 vote, Vinny Del Negro (SA) 1 vote, Matt Geiger (Cha) 1 vote, Juwan Howard (Was) 1 vote, and Jayson Williams (NJ) 1 vote. Kevin Edwards (NJ) underwent surgery on his right knee to have scar tissue and calcification removed. His rehabilitation is expected to take 10 to 12 weeks. Mark Sanford (forward, sophomore, Washington) declared his eligibility for the NBA draft. Ind 83, Atl 75 - at Atl Derrick McKey (Ind) had 14 points and 6 rebounds. Rik Smits (Ind) had 17 points including 8-12 FG and 9 rebounds. Ricky Pierce (Ind) had 12 points. Mark Jackson (Ind) had 12 points including 5-15 FG, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals. Grant Long (Atl) had 9 points including 4-12 FG and 12 rebounds. Steve Smith (Atl) had 19 points including 6-18 FG, 5 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Mookie Blaylock (Atl) had 17 points and 6 rebounds. The series is tied 2-2. Sea 101, Sac 87 - at Sac Detlef Schrempf (Sea) had 13 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists. Gary Payton (Sea) had 29 points including 4-5 3-pointers, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists. Shawn Kemp (Sea) had 23 points, 8 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 6 steals. Hersey Hawkins (Sea) had 17 points including 3-4 3-pointers. Brian Grant (Sac) had 13 points. Olden Polynice (Sac) had 10 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Tyus Edney (Sac) had 14 points and 3 steals. Lionel Simmons (Sac) had 24 points and 6 rebounds. Seattle takes the series 3-1. Hou 102, LAL 94 - at Hou Robert Horry (Hou) had 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals. Chucky Brown (Hou) had 16 points including 6-7 FG. Hakeem Olajuwon (Hou) had 25 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 steals, and 5 turnovers. Kenny Smith (Hou) had 17 points on 6-6 FG, 4-4 3-pointers and 1-1 FT and 6 assists. Cedric Ceballos (LAL) had 25 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 steals. Elden Campbell (LAL) had 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Eddie Jones (LAL) had 14 points including 3-3 3-pointers and 5 steals. Nick Van Exel (LAL) had 15 points and 11 assists. Houston takes the series 3-1. Playoff Standings First Round 2nd Round 3rd Round Finals 1 Seattle (3) _____ 8 Sacramento (1) |__ 1 Seattle (0) __ __ 5 Houston (0) | 4 LA Lakers (1) ___| |__ __________ __ 5 Houston (2) __ __________ | | | 2 San Antonio (2) _ | | 7 Phoenix (1) |__ ____________ __| | __ ____________ | 3 Utah (2) _______| | 6 Portland (2) |__ __________ __ __________ | 1 Chicago (3) ____ | 8 Miami (0) |__ 1 Chicago (0) __ | __ 5 New York (0) | | 4 Cleveland (0) __| | | 5 New York (3) |__ __________ __| __ __________ 2 Orlando (3) ____ | 7 Detroit (0) |__ 2 Orlando (0) __| __ ____________ 3 Indiana (2) ____| 6 Atlanta (2)