The NBA playoffs standings has the Houston Rockets into the second round after winning over the Dallas Mavericks to advance in the postseason and they will face off against the San Antonio Spurs or Los Angeles Clippers next.
The Rockets finished off the Mavericks in five games, winning the series 4-1 after taking Game 5 by the score of 103-94. The Rockets went up 3-0 on the Mavericks, who were only able to win Game 4 at home all series and now they await the winner of the Spurs-Clippers series in the second round. The Rockets were one of the most consistent teams in the west this season and now James Harden and Dwight Howard will advance.
Harden had another strong game in the clincher, scoring 28 points and putting up two rebounds with eight assists for the Rockets. Dwight Howard at 19 rebounds, while Monta Ellis led the Mavs with 25 points and Dirk Nowitzki had 14 rebounds. The Spurs were able to win over the Clippers in Game 5 and now San Antonio leads the series 3-2 heading to Texas for the next matchup.
The Spurs are coming into the playoffs as the road team in the first round for the first time in years and now they are close to clinching the series. The team has been getting some fantastic play from Tim Duncan, who led with 21 points and 11 rebounds in the win. Blake Griffin did all he could with 30 points and 14 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to take down the Spurs. Chris Paul had 10 assists and now the Clippers have to win two in a row, including one in San Antonio, to advance.
The East has the Nets and Hawks tied at 2-2 in their series and the Wizards are awaiting the winner of that. The Wizards won over the Raptors in four games, while the Cavaliers won over the Celtics in four games. Cleveland is awaiting the Bulls, who have the Bucks and that series is 3-2, but Chicago was up 3-0. The team likely will win the series, as no NBA team has come back from 3-0 before.
The Hawks return home for Game 5 after losing two on the road and now they will try and take care of business back home. The Trail Blazers and Grizzlies series is 3-1 in favor of Memphis and now Portland will try and extend things a bit. The Cavs in the east are dealing with a major injury, as Kevin Love is likely out for the playoffs after hurting his shoulder. The team likely will not get him back in the NBA finals if they make it and that could have a huge impact on the playoffs in the east.
