NBA Today - June 6
Wed, Jun 6, 2007
By Associated Press
SCOREBOARD
Wednesday, June 6
No games scheduled.
STEPPING UP
Cleveland rookie guard Daniel Gibson scored a season-high 31 points by making all five of his 3-pointers, including four in the fourth quarter, when he outscored Detroit 19-16 in the Eastern Conference finals clincher Saturday night. Gibson averaged 13.5 points against the Pistons - nine points above his regular-season average.
MATCHUP
Cleveland's LeBron James, averaging 25.8 points this postseason including 48 in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals against Detroit, will be matched up in the finals with San Antonio's Bruce Bowen, runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year the last three seasons.
MOVING AROUND
The Orlando Magic are close to resolving their coaching fiasco by agreeing to a deal to dismiss Billy Donovan and hire Stan Van Gundy, according to reports Tuesday. ESPN.com reported Donovan and the team were finalizing an agreement for his departure. Terms would prevent Donovan from coaching in the NBA for five years, sources told the outlet. The Orlando Sentinel reported that the Magic offered a contract to Van Gundy, a former Heat coach and current adviser to Pat Riley in Miami.
WAITING GAME
LeBron James' girlfriend, Savannah Brinson is due to deliver their second child on June 17, when the Cavaliers are tentatively scheduled to host Game 5 of the NBA Finals in Cleveland.
SPEAKING
''It gave me goose bumps. I really truly thought it was all a dream. I didn't think it was real. But this morning when I woke up, it still happened.'' - Cleveland's Daniel Gibson on Monday on his 31-point Game 6 performance in the Eastern Conference finals against Detroit.