OTP SPORTS NBA UPDATE

Mavs 3: Is any team more fun to watch? What other team has a German superstar, a Canadian playmaker, whatever Nick Van Exel is, a high-flying small forward, a three-point shooting center, and a Mexican bruiser and a Chinese center off the bench?
Wolves 0: Can we please stop with the insipid "Kevin Garnett" isn't a big-time player nonsense already. He averaged 24 points, 19 rebounds and 5 assists per game in the series. Does any other superstar in the playoffs (not named Tracy McGrady) have such a lackluster supporting cast? Give KG a healthy Terrell Brandon and a defensive stopper in the middle - and then judge him.

Lakers 3: The Lakers are as tough and they are good. Time and time again the past two years, role players have hit clutch shots to give the Lakers wins in close playoff games. I've had enough of the "Kobe could have been an oceanographer" Sprite commerical already.
Blazers 0:
A valient effort by Wallace and Pippen goes for naught. Maybe if they could use a time machine to bring Arvydas Sabonis circa 1990 in to play center. The Jermaine O'Neal for Dale Davis trade will haunt them for the next decade.

Kings 2: They have not looked like the team with the best record in the league. Their bench has dissapeared, and Peja can't find his shot. They'll have plenty of time to work on their open jumpshots against Dallas.
Jazz 1: The greatest point guard ever, John Stockton, is still going strong at 40 - such prolonged excellence at his position is unprecedented. Basketball will be much poorer once he finally leaves the game.

Spurs 2: There are two reasons why the Spurs have been able to stay on top despite losing David Robinson to a back injury. The expected- the exceptional play of MVP Tim Duncan (27,12,6). The unexpected - Tony Parker holding his own against Gary Payton, upping his scoring from 9 ppg in the regular series to 19 in the series
Sonics 1: Can anyone find Brent Barry? Brent Barry? Oh, well, let's leave it all up to Payton as usual.

Nets 2: Keith Van Horn and Kerry Kittles (until 22.5 seconds to go in game 3) have been invisible. Jason Kidd and Kenyon Martin however have been invaluable. The Nets seemed to have shook off the first game jitters, and should close out the Pacers soon.
Pacers1: Austin Croshere 2000 Finals: 15 pts.,6 boards in 24 mpg. Austin Croshere 2002 Playoffs 2.5 pts. ,1.5 boards in 6mpg. Hey if your not going to use him, can the 76ers have him?

Pistons 2: Ben Wallace has pulled down over 15 rebounds a game this series, and Cliff Robinson has at least played excellent defense. I'd still be stunned to see them in the conference finals.
Raptors 1: Pulling themselves together behind the inspired play of Chris Childs. (No, that last sentence was not a misprint). Could still string this series to 5.

Hornets 2: Give them a healthy Jamal Mashburn, and they'd be resting up for Round 2. Combined numbers of Campbell, Brown and Magloire (38ppg, 28rpg,4.3 bbg).
Magic 1: Combined numbers of Grant, Garrity & Ewing (20.7ppg,20.3rpg,1.0bbg). OK, Tracy McGrady, you are the best player in the series - you're still going home soon.

Celtics 2: They're hitting 45% of their threes, not to mention Walter McCarty is playing out of his head. Are they title contenders? They better stick to finishing off Philly first.
Sixers 1: In the regular season the Sixers held opponents to 33.1% from behing the arc - they simply aren't getting out on Boston's three-point shooters. The whole team seems out-of-sync on offense, nothing is coming easy. Yet, they are still hanging around, and will as long as they can put Iverson, Snow and McKie out on the floor.