Sat, May 03, 2003 - Page 20 News List

Timberwolves can't keep Kobe quiet

BASKET CASEThe boy Bryant finished with 31 points to sink battling Minnesota and book a berth in the second round of the NBA playoffs alongside the Spurs

AFP , LOS ANGELES

Duncan had 15 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists for his second career postseason triple-double, adding four blocks.

Shawn Marion had 24 points and 15 rebounds for eighth-seeded Phoenix, which beat San Antonio three times during the regular season and threw a scare into the Spurs in this series.

Paul Pierce pumped in 14 straight shots in the first half en route to 27 points as Boston beat Indiana 110-90 to close out their series in six.

Sixth-seeded Celtics will play New Jersey who beat the Celtics in six games in the Eastern Conference final in 2002.

The Celtics set the tone for the Indiana series with a huge comeback win in game one, turned the trick again in games three and four and countered the inside strength advantage of the Pacers with perimeter shooting and experience.

New Jersey's Kenyon Martin scored 29 points and Jason Kidd recorded his sixth career playoff triple-double as the Nets cruised to a 113-101 victory over Milwaukee to finish their series 4-2.

Martin came off a foul-plagued nine-point outing in New Jersey's game five triumph and surpassed that in the first quarter with 12 points as the Nets grabbed a 30-18 advantage.

"This was a great win," Martin said.

Kidd finished with 22 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds for his fifth playoff triple-double with New Jersey. Kidd had three triple-doubles in the six-game series with Boston last season.

"It won't be easy," Kidd said. "They're [the Celtics] another talented team that can put a lot of points on the board. It should be a great series."

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