THE New Orleans Hornets shocked the two-time defending NBA champion Lakers and upstart Memphis edged top-seeded San Antonio Sunday in a pair of Western Conference playoff upsets.
Seventh-seeded New Orleans beat the Lakers 109-100 and Memphis defeated the Spurs 101-98 as both best-of-seven first-round series got underway.
Oklahoma City wrapped up the day’s action in the West with a 107-103 victory over Denver.
New Orleans’ Chris Paul had 33 points, 14 assists and seven rebounds for the Hornets as they seized the initiative over the Lakers on the champions’ home floor in Los Angeles.
“Our defence, I thought, was late,” Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. “I think we were late on everything. They were the aggressors, and they stayed aggressive.”
He said he didn’t think his players overlooked the underdog Hornets.
“I just don’t think they were keyed in on what they have to do,” Jackson said.
Hours earlier, the Memphis Grizzlies notched their first-ever NBA post-season win by stunning the top-seeded Spurs in San Antonio.
Zach Randolph scored nine of his 25 points in the fourth quarter for the eighth-seeded Grizzlies, who were making their first playoff appearance since the 2005-06 NBA season.
Marc Gasol finished with 24 points and Mike Conley had 15 points and 10 assists for Memphis, which finished with a 46-36 record in the regular season.
The Grizzlies earned their first playoff win since coming into the league as an expansion team in Vancouver, Canada, 16 years ago.
“It’s nice from an annoyance perspective to have it out of the way, because I don’t have to answer questions about being 0 and 13,” Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins said.
They were swept by San Antonio in four games in the 2004 playoffs.
Memphis trailed when Shane Battier nailed a three-pointer with 23 seconds left, giving the Grizzlies a 99-98 lead.
San Antonio tried to force overtime, but Richard Jefferson missed a long range shot as the clock ticked down.
Memphis players raced onto the court as the buzzer sounded to celebrate their first playoff win in 13 attempts.
Battier was with Memphis when they were swept by San Antonio seven years ago.
“It was awesome. I’m really happy for the city,” Battier said. “Beale Street will be a fun place tonight. Most of these guys don’t know the history or the heartache that the city has gone through. I’m happy for the city.”
France’s Tony Parker led San Antonio with 20 points. Tim Duncan had 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Spurs, who lost their sixth straight playoff series opener.
AFP
