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Best NBA Playoff Performances

Best NBA Playoff Performances
Best NBA Playoff Performances

Best NBA Playoff Performances

Derrick Rose, Bulls

Boston's Rajon Rondo recorded 29 points, nine rebounds and seven assists ... and was clearly the second-best point guard on the floor. That's because Rose went for 36 points and 11 assists in Chicago's 105-103 overtime victory. Rose, the No. 1 pick in the 2008 draft, matched Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's record for most points in a playoff debut.

Ray Allen, Celtics

The All-Star guard followed up his 1-for-12 in Game 1 by scoring only two points in the first half of Game 2. But he erupted for 28 second-half points, including a tiebreaking three-pointer with two seconds left that propelled Boston to a series-tying 118-115 victory.

Brandon Roy, Trail Blazers

After Portland's no-show in Game 1, Roy stepped up in Game 2 with 42 points as the Blazers won a playoff game for the first time in six years. Roy shot 15-of-27 from the field and 10-of-12 at the free-throw line against one of the NBA's top defensive teams.

Chauncey Billups, Nuggets

Relishing his duel with Chris Paul, Billups hit a career-high eight three-pointers, scored 36 points and had eight assists and no turnovers to lead Denver past New Orleans 113-84.

Yao Ming, Rockets

Yao went 9-of-9 from the field and 6-of-6 at the foul line for his 24 points in Houston's 108-81 rout of host Portland. The big man collected all of his points in the first half, when Houston built a 62-44 lead. He didn't take a shot in the third quarter and rested the entire final period.

Dwyane Wade, Heat

The regular-season scoring leader reeled off 13 consecutive Miami points to close the first half and banked in a late three-pointer to thwart an Atlanta rally in a 108-93 victory. Wade made six threes as part of his 33 points.

Carlos Boozer, Jazz

The power forward tied a franchise playoff record with 22 rebounds and added 23 points as the Jazz won 88-86 to avoid a 3-0 series deficit.

Ben Gordon, Bulls

He hit big shot after big shot in his duel with fellow former UConn guard Ray Allen, who wound up winning it with a late three-pointer. Gordon finished with 42 points, including 25 in the second half.

Tony Parker, Spurs

Parker equaled the Mavs' first-quarter total with 19 points, ended the first half with 27 and finished with 38 (on 16-of-22 shooting) in the Spurs' 105-84 win in Game 2. Two games later, Parker tied George Gervin's franchise playoff record for points in a half (31 before intermission) en route to 43 points in a 99-90 loss.

LeBron James, Cavaliers

LeBron didn't have a single turnover in 40 minutes while closing with 38 points (13-of-20 from the field, 11-of-14 at the free-throw line), eight rebounds and seven assists in Cleveland's 102-84 series-opening victory. In the series clincher, LeBron piled up another 36 points, 13 boards and eight assists. he averaged 32 points, 11.3 rebounds and 7.5 assists in the four-game sweep.

Rajon Rondo, Celtics

After flirting with a triple-double in Game 1, Rondo accomplished the feat in Game 2 with 19 points, 12 rebounds and 16 assists in Boston's 118-115 victory. Rondo also had a triple-double in the Celtics' Game 4 loss.


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