A busy weekend in the NBA tips off on Friday night with the Cleveland Cavaliers attempting to drop the Detroit Pistons into an 0-3 hole in their first-round playoff matchup.

The Cavaliers and Pistons play in Detroit on Friday after Cleveland dominated the first two games of the series at home to jump out to a 2-0 lead. In Game 2 on Tuesday night LeBron James delivered 29 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists to lead Cleveland to a 94-82 win as an 11.5-point favorite. Mo Williams added 21 points and seven assists for the Cavs and Delonte West chipped in with 20 points. Richard Hamilton led the Pistons with 17 points, as Detroit shot only 39 percent as a team in the loss. The Pistons' only chance in the series may be returning to the Palace of Auburn Hills where they posted their only win against Cleveland this season.

Also in the East on Friday night is Game 3 between the Orlando Magic and the Philadelphia 76ers. The Magic split the first two games of the series in Orlando with a 96-87 win on Wednesday as a 10.5-point favorite. Rookie Courtney Lee continued his strong playoffs with a career-high 24 points and Rashard Lewis bounced back from a disappointing performance in Game 1 with 16 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. The 76ers almost pulled off another big comeback behind 30 points from Andre Miller and 21 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists from Andre Iguodala, but the Magic did not fall apart late like they did in Game 1.

In the Western Conference on Friday Portland and Houston resume their first-round series with Game 3. The Rockets blasted the Blazers in Game 1, but Portland quickly struck back in Game 2 in a 107-103 win as a 6-point favorite. Brandon Roy poured in 42 points and LaMarcus Aldridge added 27 points and 12 rebounds for Portland in the win. Aaron Brooks led Houston with 23 points and Vin Baker scored 21 points off the bench. Portland was able to slow down Yao Ming in Game 2, limiting him to 11 points compared to the 24 points he scored on 9-of-9 shooting in Game 1.

On Saturday there are four games on tap, starting with a must-win game for the New Orleans Hornets. The Hornets head home in their series against the Denver Nuggets down 0-2. The Nuggets whipped the Hornets in Game 1 and kept the pressure on in Game 2 in a 108-93 win as a 6.5-point favorite. Chauncey Billups netted 31 points in the win and Carmelo Anthony had 22 points and nine assists. David West led the Hornets with 21 points and 10 rebounds, while Chris Paul added 14 points and 13 assists. The Hornets have beaten the Nuggets twice this season in six attempts and they need to return to winning form at home on Saturday.

In the East on Saturday the Atlanta Hawks and Miami Heat clash in Miami with the series tied 1-1. The Heat started the series horribly after getting crushed 90-64 in Game 1. It was an entirely different story in Game 2, as the Heat bounced back in a 108-93 win as a 5-point underdog. Dwyane Wade went from 19 points in Game 1 to 33 points and seven assists in Game 2, and Daequan Cook also improved with 20 points. Mike Bibby led Atlanta with 18 points, while Josh Smith had 17 points and 10 rebounds. Also on the Saturday schedule is Game 4 between the Spurs and Mavericks and Game 4 between the Lakers and Jazz.
 

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