In the NBA, the playoffs keep marching on.

First up, it was the New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics.  The Knicks barely lost Game 1, and were looking to hopefully steal a win in Boston.  However, their point-guard, Chauncey Billups, who said that the Knicks were the most dangerous lower seed to play in the first round, was actually out injured for the game.  But, Carmelo had such an amazing night, it made up for it.  Carmelo finished the evening with 42 points and 17 rebounds, but would that be enough?  The Knicks’ Jared Jeffries hit a beautiful shot to put the Knicks up 1 with under 20 seconds to go.  Then Garnett hit a fade away hook shot to put the Celtics up one.  The Knicks went back to Jeffries, who turned the ball over (or Garnett stole it — depends how you look at it), and the Celtics had the ball with 4 seconds left.  Then, they in bounded, and Carmelo didn’t foul because he had 5 fouls and would foul out.  Unfortunately, the clock ran down and gave the Celtics a 2-0 lead.  Boston 96, NY Knicks 93.

Next up, it was the Atlanta Hawks vs. the Orlando Magic.  The Hawks stole a victory against the Magic in Game 1, and you can bet that Orlando was looking for revenge.  It wouldn’t come easy as the Hawks refused to go away.  Josh Smith led the way with 17 points and 6 rebounds.    Dwight Howard had another dominant night with 33 points and 19 rebounds.  The Magic pulled away, but, late in the game, Atlanta got it back to a 2-point lead.  However, late in the game, when it mattered, the Magic’s Jason Richardson hit a clutch 3-pointer to give the Magic a 7-point lead and cruise to a victory.  Now the series heads back to Atlanta tied at 1-game a piece.  Orlando 88, Atlanta 82.

Finally, it was the Portland Trail Blazers and the Dallas Mavericks.  This was the popular upset series pick going into the playoffs.  The Blazers have been great lately, especially since the addition of Gerald Wallace, and many people thought they would handle the shaky Mavs.  But, the Mavs played marvelously in Game 1, and hoped to keep it up last night.  The game stayed neck and neck in the first half.  LaMarcus Aldridge led the way for Portland with 24 points and 10 boards on the night.  But, in the 4th quarter, the Mavs’ Peja Stojakovic started draining 3s to run away with the game.  Now the Mavs take a 2-0 lead in the series, as it heads back to Portland… where their home crowd will be incensed.  Dallas 101, Portland 89.