Sure, basketball is a team game... but individual performances can still spell the difference between playoff success and failure. In this feature, we take a look at the players who made the biggest impact, good or bad, on the day's results. Which player made the most efficient use of his offensive touches to help his team win the game? Which player's misses cost his team a shot at victory?

Here's what we've got...

Let us know how we did. Did we choose the right guys? Who would you add or subtract?

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HOT SHOTS - Carlos Delfino








22 Points

Field Goal Selection
Layups: 0-1
Jumpers: 7-12
Dunks: 1-1
 
Scoring Breakdown
FGs: 8-14
3FG: 6-8
FT: 0-0




HOT SHOTS - Rashard Lewis








17 Points

Field Goal Selection
Layups: 0-0
Jumpers: 5-8
Dunks: 0-0
 
Scoring Breakdown
FGs: 5-8
3FG: 4-7
FT: 3-4

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COLD SHOT - Stephen Jackson







8 Points

Field Goal Selection
Layups: 1-2
Jumpers: 1-8
Dunks: 0-0
 
Scoring Breakdown
FGs: 2-11
3FG: 0-3
FT: 4-5

Magic 99, Bobcats 90 (Orlando wins series, 4-0)

GameTracker | Box Score | Full Play-byPlay | Shot Chart | Photos



As the final seconds ticked down, Dwight Howard was back in his familiar spot on the bench and coach Stan Van Gundy was steamed at his superstar for fouling out again.

Then the buzzer sounded and the Orlando Magic became the first team to advance in the NBA playoffs.

Who needs Howard? Not these deep Magic -- at least not in the first round.

Vince Carter scored 21 points, Jameer Nelson added 18 and the Magic showcased their depth and pressure shot-making in a 99-90 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats on Monday night to complete a sweep of their first-round series.

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Bucks 111, Hawks 104 (Series tied, 2-2)

GameTracker | Box Score | Full Play-byPlay | Shot Chart | Photos



Powered by Carlos Delfino's hot shooting, Brandon Jennings' creativity and an unexpected windfall of chances at the free-throw line, the undermanned Milwaukee Bucks are beginning to make the Atlanta Hawks sweat.

The Bucks pulled off their second straight playoff surprise, beating the Hawks 111-104 in Game 4 on Monday night to pull even in the first round of the playoffs.

"I still feel like there's no pressure on us," Jennings said. "At the end of the day, everybody still expects us to lose the series. The best thing we can do right now is just keep fighting, keep competing with them and just see how everything goes. Hopefully we can go over there and steal one."

Delfino scored 22 points with six 3-pointers, Jennings scored 23 and John Salmons added 22 for the Bucks, who finally started getting free throws and made the most of them. Milwaukee was 28 of 32 from the line after attempting 17 free throws or fewer in each of the first three games of the series.

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Suns 107, Trail Blazers 88 (Suns lead series, 3-2)

GameTracker | Box Score | Full Play-byPlay | Shot Chart | Photos



Reserves Channing Frye and Jared Dudley broke out of their series-long shooting slumps with 20 and 19 points, respectively, and the Phoenix Suns overcame an early 14-point deficit to rout the Portland Trail Blazers 107-88 on Monday night and take a 3-2 lead in their first-round playoff series.

Phoenix can advance to the second round by beating the Blazers in Portland on Thursday night.

Frye, who spent the previous two seasons on the Portland bench, made 3-of-5 3-pointers and grabbed eight rebounds. Dudley was 5 of 9 on 3s. The Suns' two best 3-point shooters in the regular season, Frye and Dudley had been a combined 14 of 48 (29 percent) on 3s in the first four games of the series.

Amare Stoudemire scored 19, and Steve Nash had 14 points and 10 assists for Phoenix.

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BRACKET & SCHEDULE


Dwight Howard kept collecting fouls, and all the Orlando Magic did was become the first team to advance in the NBA playoffs.

Vince Carter scored 21 points, Jameer Nelson added 18 and the Magic showcased their depth and pressure shot-making in a 99-90 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats on Monday night to complete a sweep of their first-round series.

Howard was held to six points in his fourth straight game in foul trouble, but the Magic never flinched to accomplish their first four-game sweep in franchise history. Orlando will face the Atlanta-Milwaukee winner in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Tyrus Thomas scored a career playoff-high 21 points for the Bobcats, whose focus will now almost immediately turn to nomadic coach Larry Brown's future with the team.

Howard did grab 13 rebounds, but was limited to 23 minutes before fouling out for the second straight game. The Magic, though, got key contributions and big shots from others.

Rashard Lewis scored 17 points, Matt Barnes added 14 and Orlando held Stephen Jackson to 2-of-11 shooting to make sure Charlotte would be the only team not to win a first-round game.


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2KSports.com has been nice enough to help us run the show, using full-length game simulations on NBA2K10.

Think you can outmatch the machine? Post your predictions in the comments section!

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8 p.m. ET - Magic vs. Bobcats (Orlando leads series, 3-0)

Game Stats | Magic Stats | Bobcats Stats

The Bobcats stave off elimination for one more game, rallying for a 100-84 victory over the poor-shooting Magic. Boris Diaw and Stephen Jackson led a two-headed attack for Charlotte, racking up 21 and 20 points respectively. On the Orlando side, Dwight Howard managed a meager 12 points to go with his 11 rebounds.

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8:30 p.m. ET - Hawks vs. Bucks (Atlanta leads series, 2-1)

Game Stats | Hawks Stats | Bucks Stats

In the Game 4 simulation, the Hawks roll to an easy 111-81 trouncing of the Milwaukee Bucks. Despite shooting only 49 percent from the field, Milwaukee sank eight three-pointers to keep the score from getting really ugly. Al Horford fills up the stat sheet, going 9-of-11 for 18 points, seven rebounds, three assists, three blocks and a steal.

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10:30 p.m. ET - Suns vs. Trail Blazers (Series tied, 2-2)

Game Stats | Suns Stats | Trail Blazers Stats

This one goes down to the wire, with the Suns eventually prevailing by a score of 93-91. Amare Stoudemire leads Phoenix, with 30 points and 11 rebounds. Brandon Roy is still easing back in to action, but manages to tally 10 points in 17 minutes.

BRACKET & SCHEDULE

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8 p.m. ET - Magic vs. Bobcats (Orlando leads series, 3-0)

• AWESOME: Give Stan Van Gundy a makeover! (Orlando Sentinel)
• Magic need killer instinct to complete the sweep (Orlando Sentinel)
• Howard, Van Gundy meet to discuss foul calls (Orlando Sentinel)
• J.J. Redick bringing Duke-UNC rivalry to the NBA (Orlando Sentinel)
• Magic bring out the worst, most predictable Bobcats traits (Charlotte Observer)
• Bobcats are winners... just not this year (Charlotte Observer)

8:30 p.m. ET - Hawks vs. Bucks (Atlanta leads series, 2-1)

• Hawks road flops are unacceptable and embarrassing (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
• Hawks lick wounds after being exposed in Game 3 (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
• After three games with minimal drama, will Game 4 be close? (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
• Jennings, Salmons prospering as a pair (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
• Hawks fighting rough road reputation (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
• Bucks believe they can close the deal in a tight game (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

10:30 p.m. ET - Suns vs. Trail Blazers (Series tied, 2-2)

• Suns: Lose identity, lose the game (Arizona Republic)
• Phoenix giving bench players more playing time (Arizona Republic)
• Brandon Roy is a rare breed (Arizona Daily Sun)
• Suns have to make big adjustments to account for Roy's return (The Oregonian)
• Stoudemire's mind games: Brilliant or idiotic? (The Oregonian)
• Alvin Gentry: Roy sent message to teammates (Portland Tribune)

BRACKET AND SCHEDULE

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Magic 90, Bobcats 86 (Orlando leads series, 3-0)

GameTracker | Box Score | Full Play-by-Play | Shot Chart | Photos

In front of a boisterous, hostile crowd and facing a team in desperation mode, the Orlando Magic showcased their depth, grit and poise when it mattered most.

Imagine how good they could be if their superstar center played more than half the game.

No Dwight Howard, no problem for the Magic, who got 32 points from sudden star Jameer Nelson to overcome another frustrating, foul-filled game by their big man in a 90-86 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats on Saturday.

Spoiling Charlotte's return to the playoff stage after an eight-year absence, the Magic took a commanding 3-0 lead in their first-round series despite being without Howard for the final 3:32 after he fouled out.

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Thunder 110,  (Series tied, 2-2)

GameTracker | Box Score | Full Play-by-Play | Shot Chart | Photos

Kevin Durant scored 22 points, Russell Westbrook added 18 points and eight assists, and the Oklahoma City Thunder evened their first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers with a 110-89 victory in Game 4 on Saturday night.

For the second straight game, the Thunder capitalized on a significant edge at the foul line and on the boards despite the presence of the Lakers' 7-foot tandem of Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum.

Oklahoma City never trailed after the opening five minutes and led by double digits for the final three quarters in a thorough dismantling of the defending NBA champions.

Bynum had 13 points and 10 rebounds, and Gasol also scored 13 to lead Los Angeles. Kobe Bryant finished with only 12 points.


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Trail Blazers 96, Suns 87 (Series tied, 2-2)

GameTracker | Box Score | Full Play-by-Play | Shot Chart | Photos

Brandon Roy was so antsy to return to the Trail Blazers that he campaigned via text message to coach Nate McMillan.

"Coach, I think I should play," he texted on the eve of Saturday's playoff game against the Phoenix Suns.

Luckily for the Blazers, McMillan agreed.

Roy was activated Saturday, then helped Portland to a 96-87 victory that evened the first-round series at two games apiece.

Eight days removed from arthroscopic surgery on his right knee, Roy made his surprising return to the court to the strains of the theme from Rocky blaring from the Rose Garden sound system, then went on hit a key 3-pointer late in the game that shifted the momentum squarely in the Trail Blazers' favor.

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Bucks 107, Hawks 89 (Hawks lead series, 2-1)

GameTracker | Box Score | Full Play-by-Play |  | Photos

John Salmons scored 22 points on 9 of 11 shooting and the Milwaukee Bucks never let up after a hot start in a 107-89 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday night.

The Bucks shot 68 percent in the first quarter and 51 percent for the game following a three-day layoff and were never seriously threatened after building a 19-point, first-half lead.

Atlanta still leads the series 2-1 after two double-digit victories at home, when the Bucks looked overmatched without the injured Andrew Bogut.

But veteran Kurt Thomas had eight points, 13 rebounds and four stitches, rookie Brandon Jennings added 13 points and Milwaukee proved that the Hawks may have to "Fear the Deer" after all.

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2KSports.com has been nice enough to help us run the show, using full-length game simulations on NBA2K10.

Think you can outmatch the machine? Post your predictions in the comments section!

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Magic vs. Bobcats (Magic leads, 2-0)

Game Stats | Magic Stats | Bobcats Stats

Superman? Oh, indeed. Dwight Howard is a one-man wrecking crew in Game 3, dropping in 32 points while pulling down 14 boards. The Bobcats contend for two quarters before coming out flat in the second half... and falling eventually by a final score of 107-92.

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Suns vs. Trail Blazers (Suns lead, 2-1)

Game Stats | Suns Stats | Trail Blazers

After correctly calling for a monster game from Steve Nash in Game 3, the simulation is now expecting an down night from the Suns point guard. Nash totals only 12 points and five assists as the entire Phoenix roster goes ice cold. How cold? Try a final score of 94-70.

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Hawks vs. Bucks (Hawks lead, 2-0)

Game Stats | Hawks Stats | Bucks Stats

The Bucks can't buy a break in real life, or in our simulation. Despite having five players reach double figures, Milwaukee couldn't keep up with the red-hot Hawks. Atlanta shot 71 percent as a team, including 30 points from Joe Johnson, 23 from Josh Smith, and 22 points by way of Jamal Crawford.

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Lakers vs. Thunder (Lakers lead, 2-1)

Game Stats | Lakers Stats | Thunder Stats

After grabbing a win in Game 3, the NBA2K10 simulation picks Oklahoma City to even the series at two games apiece. Even more surprisingly, Kevin Durant will not be the Thunder's lead scorer. James Harden will lead the charge, with 29 points. Kobe Bryant piles up 35 in defeat.

BRACKET & SCHEDULE

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2 p.m. ET - Magic vs. Bobcats (Magic leads series, 2-0)

• AWESOME: Stan Van Gundy Makeover (Orlando Sentinel)
• NBA fines Van Gundy, Matt Barnes $35,000 apiece for comments (Orlando Sentinel)
• Gortat making impact as Magic's $34-million backup plan (Orlando Sentinel)
• Ticky-tacky fouls a conspiracy to keep the Magic out? (Orlando Sentinel)
• Rashard Lewis nursing an ankle sprain, wants to play (Orlando Sentinel)
• Playoffs look bigger than Felton, so far (Charlotte Observer)
• How the Bobcats can avoid going 0-3 (Charlotte Observer)
• Charlotte needs a hot start to have a chance (Charlotte Observer)

4:30 p.m. ET - Suns vs. Trail Blazers (Suns lead series, 2-1)

• After a scrappy Game 3, Suns expecting a fight in Game 4 (The Oregonian) 
• Struggling Blazers need more from LaMarcus Aldridge (The Oregonian)
• Video: Blazers searching for a sense of urgency  (The Oregonian)
• Nicolas Batum will be a game-time decision  (The Oregonian)
• Suns energy burning a hole in the Blazers plan (Portland Tribune)
• Home court advantage gone. Are the Blazers gone too? (Portland Tribune)
• Stoudemire not penalized for elbow? (Arizona Republic)