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Magic, Lakers sweep rivals to ease through
Source: Agencies |
May 12, 2010, Wednesday
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THE Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers capped a total domination of their National Basketball Association playoffs series opponents on Monday, completing four-game sweeps over the Atlanta Hawks and Utah Jazz, respectively.
The Magic improved to 8-0 in the playoffs with a 98-84 victory over the Atlanta Hawks and advanced to the Eastern Conference finals, where they will meet the winner of the series between the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers. That series is tied 2-2.
Orlando beat the Hawks by a combined 101 points, the largest margin for a four-game sweep in the NBA playoffs.
"We've been working hard to get better and we have to continue to do that if we want to win a championship," Orlando center Dwight Howard told reporters in Atlanta, Georgia. "I like the way this team is working and staying humble at the same time."
Vince Carter scored a team-high 22 points for the Magic, who made 16 three-pointers and led from start to finish.
The Magic, who lost to the Lakers in last year's NBA finals, have won 14 in a row and 28 of 31 games.
Jamal Crawford had 18 points to lead the Hawks, who lost in the second round for a second consecutive season, and face a number of organizational questions ahead of next season.
Leading scorer Joe Johnson, who will be a free agent, was booed loudly after making disparaging comments about the Atlanta crowd following a Game 3 loss, while head coach Mike Woodson's contract is also up and he could depart as well.
Johnson finished off a miserable series by scoring only 14 points on 5-of-15 shooting.
In the Western Conference, the Lakers completed a 4-0 series sweep of the Jazz with a clinical 111-96 victory in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Pau Gasol dominated an undersized Jazz team with 33 points and 14 rebounds while Kobe Bryant recorded 32 points to lead the NBA champions to the West finals where they will meet the Phoenix Suns. Game 1 is on Monday.
"We know it will be a tough series, and we want to get everyone as healthy as possible," Gasol said.
"With this next week of rest we should be able to do that."
The Lakers quickly ended the Jazz's hopes of extending the series by pulling ahead by 22 in the second quarter.
Los Angeles had just six turnovers and made 29-of-36 foul shots while knocking Utah out of the playoffs for the third straight year.
Deron Williams led Utah with 21 points and nine assists.
The Magic improved to 8-0 in the playoffs with a 98-84 victory over the Atlanta Hawks and advanced to the Eastern Conference finals, where they will meet the winner of the series between the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers. That series is tied 2-2.
Orlando beat the Hawks by a combined 101 points, the largest margin for a four-game sweep in the NBA playoffs.
"We've been working hard to get better and we have to continue to do that if we want to win a championship," Orlando center Dwight Howard told reporters in Atlanta, Georgia. "I like the way this team is working and staying humble at the same time."
Vince Carter scored a team-high 22 points for the Magic, who made 16 three-pointers and led from start to finish.
The Magic, who lost to the Lakers in last year's NBA finals, have won 14 in a row and 28 of 31 games.
Jamal Crawford had 18 points to lead the Hawks, who lost in the second round for a second consecutive season, and face a number of organizational questions ahead of next season.
Leading scorer Joe Johnson, who will be a free agent, was booed loudly after making disparaging comments about the Atlanta crowd following a Game 3 loss, while head coach Mike Woodson's contract is also up and he could depart as well.
Johnson finished off a miserable series by scoring only 14 points on 5-of-15 shooting.
In the Western Conference, the Lakers completed a 4-0 series sweep of the Jazz with a clinical 111-96 victory in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Pau Gasol dominated an undersized Jazz team with 33 points and 14 rebounds while Kobe Bryant recorded 32 points to lead the NBA champions to the West finals where they will meet the Phoenix Suns. Game 1 is on Monday.
"We know it will be a tough series, and we want to get everyone as healthy as possible," Gasol said.
"With this next week of rest we should be able to do that."
The Lakers quickly ended the Jazz's hopes of extending the series by pulling ahead by 22 in the second quarter.
Los Angeles had just six turnovers and made 29-of-36 foul shots while knocking Utah out of the playoffs for the third straight year.
Deron Williams led Utah with 21 points and nine assists.
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