Best NBA Playoff Performances

SI Staff | Apr 27, 2009

Best NBA Playoff Performances /

Best NBA Playoff Performances

Derrick Rose, Bulls

Boston's Rajon Rondo recorded 29 points, nine rebounds and seven assists ... and was clearly the second-best point guard on the floor. That's because Rose went for 36 points and 11 assists in Chicago's 105-103 overtime victory. Rose, the No. 1 pick in the 2008 draft, matched Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's record for most points in a playoff debut.

Ray Allen, Celtics

The All-Star guard followed up his 1-for-12 in Game 1 by scoring only two points in the first half of Game 2. But he erupted for 28 second-half points, including a tiebreaking three-pointer with two seconds left that propelled Boston to a series-tying 118-115 victory.

Brandon Roy, Trail Blazers

After Portland's no-show in Game 1, Roy stepped up in Game 2 with 42 points as the Blazers won a playoff game for the first time in six years. Roy shot 15-of-27 from the field and 10-of-12 at the free-throw line against one of the NBA's top defensive teams.

Chauncey Billups, Nuggets

Relishing his duel with Chris Paul, Billups hit a career-high eight three-pointers, scored 36 points and had eight assists and no turnovers to lead Denver past New Orleans 113-84.

Yao Ming, Rockets

Yao went 9-of-9 from the field and 6-of-6 at the foul line for his 24 points in Houston's 108-81 rout of host Portland. The big man collected all of his points in the first half, when Houston built a 62-44 lead. He didn't take a shot in the third quarter and rested the entire final period.

Dwyane Wade, Heat

The regular-season scoring leader reeled off 13 consecutive Miami points to close the first half and banked in a late three-pointer to thwart an Atlanta rally in a 108-93 victory. Wade made six threes as part of his 33 points.

Carlos Boozer, Jazz

The power forward tied a franchise playoff record with 22 rebounds and added 23 points as the Jazz won 88-86 to avoid a 3-0 series deficit.

Ben Gordon, Bulls

He hit big shot after big shot in his duel with fellow former UConn guard Ray Allen, who wound up winning it with a late three-pointer. Gordon finished with 42 points, including 25 in the second half.

Tony Parker, Spurs

Parker equaled the Mavs' first-quarter total with 19 points, ended the first half with 27 and finished with 38 (on 16-of-22 shooting) in the Spurs' 105-84 win in Game 2. Two games later, Parker tied George Gervin's franchise playoff record for points in a half (31 before intermission) en route to 43 points in a 99-90 loss.

LeBron James, Cavaliers

LeBron didn't have a single turnover in 40 minutes while closing with 38 points (13-of-20 from the field, 11-of-14 at the free-throw line), eight rebounds and seven assists in Cleveland's 102-84 series-opening victory. In the series clincher, LeBron piled up another 36 points, 13 boards and eight assists. he averaged 32 points, 11.3 rebounds and 7.5 assists in the four-game sweep.

Rajon Rondo, Celtics

After flirting with a triple-double in Game 1, Rondo accomplished the feat in Game 2 with 19 points, 12 rebounds and 16 assists in Boston's 118-115 victory. Rondo also had a triple-double in the Celtics' Game 4 loss.

Published Apr 27, 2009

SI STAFF