NBA Playoffs May 4

For the second-straight series, the defending-champion Celtics have lost the first game. They dropped Game 1 of their second round series to the Magic on Monday night.

- Orlando 95, Boston 90
Team FIC Differential: Magic +3.1, Celtics -3.1

The Magic (1-0) jumped out to a huge lead early and hung on to defeat the Celtics (0-1) in Game 1 of their second-round series. Dwight Howard starred with 16 points and 22 rebounds, Rashard Lewis posted 18 points and 7 boards, and Mickael Pietrus scored 17 points on 7-for-13 shooting in the win. Boston won the rebounding battle by seven, but hit just 38% of their field goal attempts at home. Orlando led by eighteen at halftime, but the Celtics clawed to within three in the final minutes. Paul Pierce led with 23 points and 5 rebounds, Kendrick Perkins tallied 6 points and 16 boards, Rajon Rondo stuffed the shat sheet with 14 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists in the loss.

Game FIC Scores
Dwight Howard, Orlando – 27.1
Kendrick Perkins, Boston – 16.0
Rashard Lewis, Orlando – 12.8
Rajon Rondo, Boston – 11.3

- Houston 100, L.A. Lakers 92
Team FIC Differential: Rockets +8.0, Lakers -8.0

The Rockets (1-0) used a strong fourth quarter to steal home court advantage away from the Lakers (0-1) on Monday night. Yao Ming starred with 28 points and 10 rebounds, Ron Artest tallied 21 points and 7 assists, and Luis Scola turned in 10 points and 8 boards in the victory. Houston shot 47% from the field, while attempting ten more free throws than Los Angeles at the Staples Center. The Rockets committed 16 turnovers, while holding the Lakers to 2-for-18 shooting from the three-point line. Kobe Bryant had 32 points and 8 rebounds, Pau Gasol posted 14 points and 13 boards, and Andrew Bynum chipped in 10 points on 5-for-10 shooting in defeat.

Game FIC Scores
Yao Ming, Houston – 18.2
Ron Artest, Houston – 16.1
Pau Gasol, Los Angeles – 15.8
Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles – 15.4

• RealGM calculates the Floor Impact Counter using the following formula: (Points + .75 Defensive Rebounds + Offensive Rebounds + Steals + Assists + Blocks - .75 Field Goal Attempts - .375 Free Throw Attempts - Turnovers - .5 Personal Fouls)