NBA Conf Finals update...Orlando and LA hold 1-0 leads

West Finals
LOS ANGELES - Carmelo Anthony poured in everything and the kitchen sink hurling in a heroic 39 points and making four huge 3-pointers in humbling defeat against the No. 1 seeded Los Angeles Lakers who held home court 107-105 before the usual star-studded packed Staples Center. Always the leader for the Lakers Kobe Bryant dropped in 40 helping take the early lead in a series that promises to live up to the hype. But the play of the night belonged to an oft victim, Trevor Ariza (6pts, 5rebs, 2assists), who proved to be victor when his team needed him most.

Ariza, a four-year veteran out of UCLA, had the dubious task of trying to match up against the fierce onslaught from Melo, who wouldn't be denied. Still with 30.5 to go Trevor wasn't holding his head down. After two clutch free throws from Kobe Bryant gave L. A. a slim lead 101-99 Ariza seized on the horrible inbound pass from Denver's Anthony Carter going over and through the outstretched arms of Mr. Big shot himself Chauncey Billups then wisely dribbling out a few precious seconds off the clock before finding Bryant who was fouled and hit the final two of his 40 from the line sealing the victory and sending L. A. to an early 1-0 lead in the series.

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East Finals
CLEVELAND - The Cavaliers played a perfect game for about two and a half quarters then slowly melted away a 14-point lead and the home court advantage in their game 1 loss 107-106 against D. Howard and the upstart Orlando Magic. The fans in Cleveland are still in shock. They watched helplessly as the game slipped right through the fingers of the Cavs. D. Howard( 30 pts,13 rebs) had a front-row seat after he fouled out late in the fourth quarter but his services would not be needed. After Labron gave the Cavs the slim advantage 106-104, Rashard "Young Fella" Lewis provided the 3-point dagger to silence the crowd and complete the jaw dropping display. The Cavaliers fell in love with the high flying thunderous Labron show early on and when their MVP showed signs of mortality late, his teammates were invisible down the stretch.

James (49 pts, 8 assts, 6 rebs) did all he could to will his team to victory driving to the basket in the final moments of the game but the Magic's defense stiffened closing down the paint forcing him to kick the ball back out but the Cavs rotated the ball to Delonte West who missed a wide open and unneccessary three-pointer. Two steps forward, he probably sinks the 20-footer and the home fans go home with smiles. The Cavs would earn a jump ball after a scrum under their basket but with only 1.0 remaining their hopes laid in an off-balanced heave from Williams that clanged the back of the rim sending the Cavs to their first playoff defeat. Orlando now holds the keys to the castle ahead 1-0 in the series having at best already earned a split.