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May 8, 2006
Recently named MVP Steve Nash of the Suns proved once again in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals why he was bestowed that award. After Nash led the second-half rally that pushed Phoenix ahead, Los Angeles responded with a run of its own. However, it was Nash's driving layup with a minute left that took the wind out of the Clippers' sails. The bucket put the Suns up nine, 124-115, but the savvy point guard wasn't done there. With 27.9 seconds remaining on the clock, Nash sunk two free throws to ice the game and lead Phoenix to a 130-123 home victory on Monday. For his efforts Nash collected 31 points, 12 assists and seven Nestlé Crunch Time Points.
Nash is cash down the stretch:
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May 9, 2006
Richard Hamilton had the perfect answer when Cleveland's LeBron James cut Detroit's lead to five points on a three-point play with 1:13 to go in Tuesday's Game 2. Hamilton came right back with a three-point play of his own, scoring on a driving layup and adding a free throw for a 95-87 advantage with 58 seconds to play. The bucket dashed any Cavs' hopes for a comeback and Hamilton added two free throws with 10.6 ticks remaining to seal a 97-91 victory for the Pistons, who lead the Eastern Conference Semifinal series 2-0. The clutch layup was the only basket of the game for Hamilton, who hit 15-of-18 free throws en route to 17 points. He also tallied nine Nestlé Crunch Time Points.
Rip holds off the Cavs:
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May 12, 2006
Dwyane Wade may have lost a little blood, but he certainly didn't lose his nerve. Wade played the key role in Miami's 103-92 win at New Jersey in Game 3 on Friday, scoring half of his 30 points in the fourth quarter, while finishing with 10 assists and seven rebounds. The speedy guard briefly left the game in the third quarter after taking an elbow to the face from the Nets' Vince Carter, but displayed no adverse effects upon returning. He sank all 11 of his free-throw attempts in the final period, including 6-of-6 in the final two minutes. He also drained a jumper with 11.3 seconds remaining to seal the victory and assure the Heat a 2-1 series lead. Wade totaled 13 Nestlé Crunch Time Points.
Wade provided fuel for the Heat:
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May 13, 2006
Although the box score shows Dirk Nowitzki hit only three shots, anybody who watched Game 3 between the Mavericks and Spurs knows made baskets is not the best way to gauge his influence on the outcome. Nowitzki, who played the final 1:05 with a sprained ankle, made several clutch plays to seal Dallas' 104-103 win. For starters, he fed Jerry Stackhouse for a basket with 31.4 seconds remaining to put the Mavericks in front by a point. After the Spurs' Manu Ginobili coverted a layup, Nowitzki, who scored 21 of his 27 from the foul line, grabbed an offensive rebound, drew a foul and drained the winning free throws with 7.9 seconds left. Nowitzki totaled 10 Nestlé Crunch Time Points.
Nowitzki did it all down the stretch:
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May 14, 2006
When the Clippers had a 13-point lead with less than six minutes to go, it looked like a 2-2 tie was a foregone conclusion. Then the Suns ran off 12 straight points as L.A. appeared to tighten up on offense. That's when Sam Cassell proved the value of veteran leadership. Cassell found Elton Brand for a basline jumper with 56 seconds left and then showed why he is one of the NBA's premiere clutch shooters by hitting a dagger 3-pointer with 27 ticks on the clock. Cassell tallied 28 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists in the Clippers' 114-107 Game 4 win, and earned nine Nestlé Crunch Time Points for his efforts.
Sam helps secure a 2-2 tie:
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May 16, 2006
Raja Bell hit the biggest shot of the season for the Suns as he nailed a 3-pointer from the corner with 1.1 seconds left in OT to send Game 5 to a second extra period. Phoenix went on win the game, 125-118, in double-OT to take a 3-2 lead in the Western Conference Semifinals. With 3.5 seconds on the clock and the Clippers clinging to a 111-108 lead, Bell shook loose of Daniel Ewing and took the inbounds pass from Boris Diaw. He was able to elevate above Ewing's outstretched arms to drain the clutch jumper. Bell scored seven points in the extra sessions and finished the game with 22 points. For his efforts, Bell earned 12 Nestlé Crunch Time Points.
Bell led Phoenix to a 3-2 lead:
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May 18, 2006
Facing elimination in Game 6 on Thursday, the Los Angeles Clippers needed strong performances from their best players and that's exactly what they got. Point guard Sam Cassell was one of five Clips in double figures, scoring 15 while handing out eight assists as L.A. forced the Western Conference Semifinals to Game 7 with a 118-106 victory over the Phoenix Suns. The savvy veteran sank a pair of free throws with 1:58 remaining, extending the lead to 114-100. He grabbed a rebound and hit a jumper with 62 seconds to play, assuring both teams would be back on the court Monday in Phoenix with a spot in the Western Conference Finals at stake. For his efforts, Cassell racked up nine Nestlé Crunch Time Points.
Cassell comes through for the Clips:
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May 19, 2006
Defensive Player of the Year Ben Wallace puts the "D" in Detroit, but it was his work on the offensive boards that helped the Pistons force the Eastern Conference Semifinals to Game 7 with an 84-82 victory in Cleveland. Big Ben tipped out an offensive rebound with 1:40 remaining and followed up his glass cleaning with a huge O-board off of a Rasheed Wallace missed free throw with 13.9 seconds left and his team up two. Wallace's rebounding effort assured the Pistons the chance to play for their third consecutive Eastern Conference Finals berth on Sunday. For his clutch carom collecting, Wallace racked up six Nestlé Crunch Time Points.
Big Ben cleans the glass in Cleveland :
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