Trash-talking sparks Bryant to 49-point game as Lakers win
It doesn't pay to make Kobe Bryant angry. Kenyon Martin and the Denver Nuggets learned that lesson in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers. (AP, 8:18 a.m.)

Bryant shines as Lakers beat Nuggets
Kobe Bryant poured in 49 points to lift the Los Angeles Lakers to a 122-107 victory over the Denver Nuggets in Game Two of their Western Conference quarter-final on Wednesday. (Reuters, 4:51 a.m.)

Getting even: Pistons even series with Game 2 rout of 76ers
Rasheed Wallace had another good game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Unlike the series opener, a few Detroit Pistons starters helped him out. (AP, 2:08 a.m.)

Kobe's 49 points leads Lakers over Nuggets 122-107
Kobe Bryant scored big at the start and finish Wednesday night. In between, he set up his teammates for easy baskets. It turned out to be a winning formula. Bryant had 49 points and 10 assists, and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Denver Nuggets 122-107 to take a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series. (AP, 8:16 a.m.)

Pistons rebound with big win over Sixers to level series
The Detroit Pistons evened their first round Eastern Conference series with the Philadelphia 76ers with a dominating 105-88 win on Wednesday. (Reuters, 12:52 a.m.)

Celtics beat Hawks 96-77 to go up 2-0 in series
Rajon Rondo outplayed Mike Bibby and helped the Boston Celtics silence Atlanta and its blustery point guard. Kevin Garnett had 19 points and 10 rebounds, and Rondo added 12 points, eight assists and six rebounds to lead Boston to a 96-77 victory over Atlanta on Wednesday night and a 2-0 lead in the first-round series. (AP, 1:53 a.m.)

Hawks-Celtics, Box
ATLANTA (77) Williams 3-9 7-9 13, Smith 3-13 7-10 13, Horford 4-9 1-2 9, Bibby 2-7 8-10 12, Johnson 4-10 3-3 11, Childress 2-3 0-1 4, Pachulia 1-4 1-1 3, Law 4-4 4-4 12, West 0-0 0-0 0, Jones 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 23-60 31-40 77. BOSTON (96) Pierce 5-10 2-3 14, Garnett 6-18 6-6 19, Perkins 2-5 4-5 8, ... (AP, 4/23/08)

Celtics beat Hawks 96-77 to go up 2-0 in series
Rajon Rondo outplayed Mike Bibby and helped the Boston Celtics silence Atlanta and its blustery point guard. Kevin Garnett had 19 points and 10 rebounds, and Rondo added 12 points, eight assists and six rebounds to lead Boston to a 96-77 victory over Atlanta on Wednesday night and a 2-0 lead in the first-round series. (AP, 4/23/08)

Getting even: Pistons even series with Game 2 rout of 76ers
Rasheed Wallace had another good game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Unlike the series opener, a few Detroit Pistons starters helped him out. (AP, 4/23/08)

Paul inspires Hornets to second big win over Mavs
The New Orleans Hornets eased to a second consecutive win over the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday, Chris Paul leading the way with 32 points and a franchise playoff record 17 assists in the 127-103 home triumph. (Reuters, 4/23/08)

Parker scores 32 in Game 2 as Spurs take 2-0 lead
Another big comeback by the San Antonio Spurs. Now the Phoenix Suns will need one. (AP, 4/23/08)

Howard has another 20-20 game to carry Magic to 2-0 lead
Dwight Howard had 29 points and 20 rebounds, his second straight 20-20 game, and the Orlando Magic beat the Toronto Raptors 104-103 on Tuesday night for a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series. (AP, 4/23/08)

Former Sonics owner Schultz sues to rescind sale of team
Former SuperSonics owner Howard Schultz filed suit Tuesday to undo his sale of the team to an Oklahoma City-based group led by Clay Bennett, saying Bennett lied to him by insisting he planned to keep the NBA franchise in Seattle. (AP, 4/22/08)

Howard has another 20-20 game to carry Magic to 2-0 lead
Dwight Howard had 29 points and 20 rebounds, his second straight 20-20 game, and the Orlando Magic beat the Toronto Raptors 104-103 on Tuesday night for a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series. (AP, 4/22/08)

Paul picks apart Mavs again as Hornets seize 2-0 series lead
First the brilliant playoff debut, then the encore. Chris Paul had 32 points and a franchise playoff-record 17 assists, leading New Orleans to a 127-103 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night that gave the Hornets a 2-0 lead in their first-round series. (AP, 4/22/08)

Bibby calls Boston backers fair weather fans after loss
Mike Bibby thought the Celtics' crowd was loud in the playoff opener. He should get an even bigger earful in Game 2 after slamming the fans. (AP, 4/22/08)