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Things Got Interesting

Now, things could really get interesting.

The Chicago Bulls made a big statement when they routed Detroit 108-92 on Tuesday night, and the decibel level would jump again with a win Thursday night.

``At least we've made a series out of it,'' Bulls coach Scott Skiles said after Wednesday's film session.

Stoudemire, Diaw Out

The Phoenix Suns' chances of advancing to the Western Conference finals have taken a hit as nasty as the one Robert Horry gave Steve Nash.

The NBA suspended Suns All-Star center Amare Stoudemire and his teammate Boris Diaw on Tuesday for Wednesday night's Game 5 of Phoenix's conference semifinal series against the San Antonio Spurs.

Lebron is Intense

LeBron James has delivered facials in all shapes and sizes. Never one like this.

Incensed by a flagrant foul inflicted on teammate Sasha Pavlovic, James went nose-to-nose with New Jersey's Mikki Moore in the third quarter of Game 4 on Monday night, a heated confrontation that fired up Cleveland and sent the Cavaliers to an 87-85 win and 3-1 lead in their Eastern Conference semifinal.

Focused on Finishing

The Utah Jazz are more focused on finishing than retaliation.

Utah's 115-101 win over the Golden State Warriors on Sunday night turned ugly as the Jazz pulled away at the end. One flagrant foul and a collision between the two team leaders set up some tension for Tuesday's Game 5 in Utah.

Pistons Need to Close

The Detroit Pistons intend to get this over without further delay. They want to beat the Bulls in Game 5 and advance to the Eastern Conference finals for the fifth straight year.

``No doubt, that's our intention - to try to close the series out,'' Chauncey Billups said Monday.

Detroit had a chance to end the series in Game 4, but the Bulls showed a lot of resolve against a team that usually doesn't waste time when it has a chance to eliminate an opponent.