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SPORTS ZONE 2: NBA Playoff Extremes

With the First Round of the NBA playoffs well underway, it is no surprise that some amazing individual performances have taken place; the sheer number of these, however, is somewhat astonishing.

Allen Iverson, in the first playoff game between the New Orleans Hornets and the Philadelphia Sixers, lead the Sixers to a 98-90 win, scoring a career playoff high 55 points, on 21 of 23 from the field. Iverson followed this with a 29 point, 11 for 27 showing in game two, leading the Sixers to yet another win (90-85).

Dirk Nowitzki scored a career high 46 points on 16 for 27 from the field, including 4-5 from downtown, leading the Mavericks to a 96-86 win over the Portland Trailblazers. He was named Time's "Person of the Week" last May-so his contributions appear to be a perennial guarantee.

Paul Peirce stunned the Indiana Pacers scoring 40 points on 8 for 24 from the field, leading the Celtics to a 103-100 win. Amazingly, Peirce entered the recording books going a perfect 21 for 21 from the free throw line, a new NBA Playoff record. He followed this record evening with 14 points in game two and 21 points in game three: all-in-all, he went 34-37 from the charity strip in the three games. The Celtics lead the series 2-1.

Tracy McGrady, the NBA's scoring leader, rustled down 43 points on 15 for 28 in game one against the Detroit Pistons, leading the Magic to a 99-94 win in game one. He followed with a 16-26, 46 point, showing in a 77-89 game two loss for the Magic. McGrady hopes continues his playoff prowess in game three on Friday, April 25.

Stephon Marbury, Amare Stoudemire, and Shawn Marion, scored a combined 74 points (26, 24, 24, respectively) in a 96-95 Phoenix's Suns overtime win against the number one seed San Antonio Spurs in game one. Stoudemire hit a miracle three to send the game into overtime, banking it in from the top of the key, and Marbury hit a running three to win it in overtime as time expired. Look for this terrible threesome to cause San Antonio continued problems in game three, this Friday.

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Read SPORTS ZONE 1: The NFL Draft