SCOREBOARD
Tuesday, May 1
New Jersey at Toronto (7 p.m. EDT). The Nets, up 3-1 in the series, try to finish the Raptors.
STARS
Monday
– LeBron James, Cavaliers, had 31 points and 11 rebounds as Cleveland beat Washington 97-90.
– Tracy McGrady, Rockets, had 26 points with a career-high 16 assists to lead Houston past Utah 96-92.
SWEEP
Cleveland completed a playoff sweep for the first time in franchise history Monday night, beating Washington 97-90 in its first round series. The Cavaliers, who have won only six playoff series in their history, are the third Eastern Conference team in three days to finish a first-round sweep. Detroit dismissed Orlando on Saturday, and Chicago ended defending champion Miami’s season on Sunday.
HOME WOES
Home-court advantage was not a factor for Denver, which lost to San Antonio 96-89 Monday night at the Pepsi Center. The Spurs, who handed the Nuggets their sixth loss in eight home playoff games over the last four years, lead the first-round series 3-1. Three of the four games in the series have been won by the road team. The Spurs beat the Nuggets four straight times two years ago after dropping Game 1 in San Antonio.
WINLESS
Washington became the third Southeast Division team to be swept from the playoffs after losing to Cleveland 97-90 on Monday night. The Wizards saw the season end with a playoff loss on their home court for the third straight year. Combined with the first-round series exits by Miami and Orlando, the Southeast Division went 0-12 in the playoffs.
GET DEFENSIVE
San Antonio forward Tim Duncan made his 10th straight NBA All-Defensive first team Monday, and Spurs teammate Bruce Bowen was the top vote-getter in being selected for the seventh time. Completing the team were Denver center Marcus Camby, the Defensive Player of the Year, and guards Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers and Raja Bell of Phoenix. Bryant earned his seventh selection with Camby and Bell chosen for the first time.
SPEAKING
“He’s been known to do that. I’m glad he’s on our team. He’s saved us several times.” – San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich on Spurs forward Robert Horry, who hit a 3-pointer from the right corner with 30 seconds left to seal San Antonio’s 96-89 victory over Denver on Monday night.