2008 NBA Playoffs - Day Eleven - April 29

Here at About.com, we'll be following each day of the 2008 NBA Playoffs - nothing too in-depth with these posts, but a bit of a recap that gives a couple of brief sentences or so, the final results, as well as links to the boxscore.

Phoenix Suns 87, San Antonio Spurs 92 @ San Antonio / Box Score

It seems the Shaquille O'Neal trade was all for naught. O'Neal was brought in primarily to stop or at least equalize the big men in the West, particularly Tim Duncan. However, it didn't quite work out that way and the trade proved to faulty right off the bat in the postseason as the Spurs bounced the Suns once again as they did last season. The play of Tony Parker was a definite highlight for San Antonio as he and Manu Ginobili exposed the backcourt defense of the Suns, or rather, the lack thereof. Maybe the Suns should have kept Shawn Marion? Either way, the series is over because the Spurs are always a big-time contender for the NBA title. Spurs win series 4-1.

Philadelphia 76ers 81, Detroit Pistons 98 @ Detroit / Box Score

Yes, things seem to be headed back in the right direction in the universe. Nothing against the Sixers at all because they've definitely stepped up their games in the playoffs. However, this is the Pistons, the team with the second-best overall record during the regular season. Plus, I picked them to go all the way to the title! Pistons lead series 3-2.

Dallas Mavericks 94, New Orleans Hornets 99 @ New Orleans / Box Score

Chris Paul, the playoff rookie showed everyone why he is considered one of the top candidates for the regular season MVP. If he keeps playing the way he has been (a 24/11/15 triple-double performance tonight), he could very well end up the postseason MVP if he can lead his team to the promised land... and it's kind of hard to bet against him, David West, Tyson Chandler, and company. Unfortunately for the Mavericks, it's the second year in a row that they have lost in the first round since making the NBA Finals in 2006. Hornets win series 4-1.

Utah Jazz 69, Houston Rockets 95 @ Houston / Box Score

The Rockets are staying alive, but must now go back to Utah to try to take another one on the road. If they can, Tracy McGrady has a very good shot at actually getting past the first round of the playoffs in his career. It only makes sense that he would lead the Rockets with 29 points to keep the Rockets' hopes of postseason survival alive. T-Mac is hungry! Jazz lead series 3-2.

Photo: Harry How/Getty Images