Every day during the NBA playoffs, the Triple Threat will break down the latest action as we get closer to awarding the Larry O'Brien Trophy.

New Orleans 99 Dallas 94 Chris Paul continues to show why he is the best point guard in the game by leading the Hornets over the Mavericks in 5 games. Paul culminated the series by having a triple double in the fifth and final game. Paul also became the 7^th player all time to average 24 points, 12 assists, and 2 steals per game for an entire series. For the second straight year, the Mavericks are sent home in the first round. There is obviously something wrong in Dallas. Is it Avery Johnson? Does Dirk need another superstar so he doesn’t have to step it up in crunch time? But this series was all about Chris Paul and his complete dominance of Jason Kidd and the Mavericks. The Hornets advance to the second round to face…

San Antonio 92 Phoenix 87 Tony Parker and Tim Duncan continued to dominate the Phoenix Suns with a combined 50 points and 20 rebounds. The Suns had no answer for those two all night or for most of the series. Now the Spurs go on to face the Hornets in the 2^nd round, which should be a great match-up of the traditional West power vs. the potential heir to the throne of the West. Hopefully this upcoming series between the Spurs and Hornets will be as great as I think it will be. Phoenix on the other hand is scratching their heads with what went wrong in this series. Mental lapses in games 1 & 5 cost the Suns the possibility to win this series. The Suns also have several questions this offseason such as: Will D’Antoni return as coach next season? Will Steve Kerr be back for a second season as GM? Will the Suns blow up their roster and start over or try one last time to win with this group?

Detroit 98 Philadelphia 81 Detroit decided to show up this game and took care of business from the opening tip by winning the first quarter by 14 points. Detroit’s big three of Billups, Hamilton, and Wallace combined for 60 points while Tayshaun Prince added 17. The Sixers looked out matched from the get go as Detroit came out focused and looked like they are the team to beat in the East with the way the Celtics are struggling with the Hawks. Game 6 is on Thursday, where the Pistons will be hoping to close it out and get ready to take on the younger and more rested Magic.

Houston 95 Utah 69 This one wasn't even close. Houston dominated Utah in every facet of this game, out shooting the Jazz 47% to 37%. The Rockets did what they have been unable to do all series; shoot well, hit their free throws (15-19), and got some much needed production out of their bench (26 points to the Jazz’s 9). Tracy McGrady led the Rockets with 29 points and Luis Scola added 18 and 12. The Rockets led by 2 at the end of the first, 11 at the half, and 19 at the end of the 3^rd. Now this series goes back to Utah where the Jazz had the best home record in the regular season, however; Houston not only was the first team to beat them at home in the regular season but they also won game 3 in Utah. The Jazz have to finish off the Rockets at home because if this series gets back to Houston, the Rockets will win it.

Best Lines

• Chris Paul: 24 pts, 11 rbs, 15 asts (first career playoff triple double)
• Rasheed Wallace: 19 pts, 6 rbs, 6 blks, 3 asts
• Tracy McGrady: 29 pts, 5 rbs, 5 asts, 2 stls
• Tim Duncan: 29 pts, 17 rbs, 3 blks

On Tap

Washington at Cleveland (Cavs lead 3-1) TNT at 6pm

Atlanta at Boston (Series tied 2-2) TNT at 8:30pm

Now it is your turn; Share your thoughts on Tuesday night’s action or preview Wednesday’s Game 5 action.