It’s new blood versus old as Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic battle Chauncey Billups and the Detroit Pistons in Game One of the Eastern Conference Semifinals tonight in Auburn Hills.

Series Overview: There’s a lot to like about this match-up. You got the Magic’s youth against the Pistons’ experience. The Magic rely on the power game of Howard along with deadly perimeter shooting from Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis. In their five-game first round win over the Raptors, Howard dominated the paint averaging 22.6 points, 18.2 boards and an intimidating 3.8 blocks. He’ll need to do more of the same and Turkoglu will have to shoot better from the outside (2-for-18 from 3 vs Tor).

They’ll also need Jameer Nelson to score and distribute the ball. That will be a tough chore against one of the game’s best point guards in Billups, who is a great all around player.

Keith Bogans and Keyon Dooling must supply the same spark they did in coming off Stan Van Gundy’s bench against the Raptors. Ex-Piston Carlos Arroyo could be vital giving Nelson a breather.

The Pistons rely on more of a balanced attack which features Billups and veteran big man Rasheed Wallace in the pick n’ roll. It’s extremely tough to defend because the versatile Wallace not only sets good picks but can hurt you from beyond the arc. In the six-game elimination of the 76ers, he averaged 14.5 PPG, 6.5 RPG and shot a deadly 44.8 percent (13-for-29) from downtown. In this series, he’ll be asked to play great D against Howard.

The Pistons don’t normally double which means they’ll ask Rasheed to limit the damage. What that could mean is Howard will get his points but the Magic perimeter attack could be neutralized. If that plays out, I can’t see Orlando winning this series.

You can give the nod to Howard against Wallace but Billups has a decided edge on Nelson, who needs to play out of his mind. The problem is that the other three starters all can chip in. That includes one of the brightest shooting guards in the game in Richard Hamilton along with the versatile Tayshaun Prince, whose length causes problems on both ends of the floor.

Antonio McDyess won’t score a ton but has good range and can step out from 17-18 feet and drain it. His ability to make shots away from the basket along with Wallace’s outside stroke could force Howard to play out meaning he won’t be as much of a defensive presence. That can’t happen or the Magic are in trouble.

On top of matters, Flip Saunders can bring in power forward Jason Maxiell, Amir Johnson and grizzled vet Theo Ratliff to bang around Howard. The Raptors didn’t have the personnel to do that. Rodney Stuckey, Arron Afflalo and Jarvis Hayes all give Saunders minutes. Figure vet Lindsey Hunter also to come off the bench. He can shoot the rock if you leave him open.

Analysis: The Magic are basically a three player attack with Nelson as the important fourth option. The problem is if the Pistons play Howard man-to-man, his supporting cast isn’t going to be much of a factor. It’s awfully hard to see them winning against a deeper and more experienced team whose been through this grind before.

Series Prediction: Pistons in 5

In the old days, the NBA had a signature phrase, “Now that’s fantastic.” These days in Atlanta, it’s more like Hawktastic! 

Twenty years ago, the Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics hooked up in a great seven-game second round series. Best remembered for the classic Game Seven duel between superstars Dominique Wilkins and Larry Bird, the scoring war went to The Human Highlight Film but not the series as Boston advanced thanks to 20 fourth quarter points from Larry Legend. Wilkins, who scored a game high 47 (13 better than Bird) had 16 in a losing effort. The Celtics won 118-116.

In the rich history of the Boston Celtics, they’ve never lost a series deciding Game Seven. That and plenty more will all be on the line when the East’s top seed hosts the underdog Hawks tomorrow afternoon at TD Northbank Garden. It doesn’t quite have that same feel as the fabled Boston Garden where the green and white won so many NBA titles. Just maybe that will be enough incentive for upstart Atlanta, a team who won 37 games during the regular season. That’s 29 fewer than Kevin Garnett and the Celts won in posting the league’s best record to gain home court.

The deciding game became necessary when the Hawks held up their end of the bargain by winning on their home floor at a loud Phillips Arena of better than 20,000. Like Game Four, Boston built a double digit lead taking a 32-20 cushion after one quarter. But the Celts couldn’t handle prosperity allowing a resilient group of Hawks to outscore them 29-18 cutting the deficit to one by the half.

Everytime the Celtics tried to take control, Atlanta made a timely basket to stay right with them. Trailing by three after 36 minutes, the Hawks used better aggressive defense and heady play on the offensive end to stifle their opponent outscoring them 24-18 to pull out a hard fought 104-101 Game Six win.

When his team needed a big bucket in crunch time, Game Four hero Joe Johnson delivered once again. With the Celts within two and the shot clock winding down, he faked out defender James Posey and then stepped into a trey from the right arc nailing it for a 100-95 lead with over a minute left. It was the only three Atlanta made all night.

If Johnson was the star in outscoring Boston 20-17 by himself a few nights ago, then he got plenty of help from a well balanced attack which included 16 points, five rebounds and four assists from NBA Rookie of The Year runner-up Al Horford. On a night when Boston doubled to limit Johnson’s touches, other Hawks came through including veteran guard Mike Bibby, who made just enough free throws to hold off Boston’s last charge without Paul Pierce, who fouled out and drew a technical.

Bibby stepped up supporting Johnson’s 15, five assists and four rebounds with a similar 17, seven assists and six boards. After converting one-of-two to keep the Celts’ hopes alive of forcing overtime, the former Sacramento King and teammates played splendid D not allowing Rajon Rondo to find an open Posey or Ray Allen for a potential tying three. Instead, the pass oriented point guard went to the last option forcing a 25-footer which drew nothing but air as the Hawks and their pumped up fans celebrated by chanting, “Se—ven, Se—ven, Se—ven!!!!!”

All five Atlanta starters hit for double figures including Marvin Williams’ 18 which paced them despite missing most of the final quarter due to a twisted knee while guarding Pierce. Showing playoff mettle, he came back into the game to play defense with 20 seconds remaining. The plan worked as an Allen force from way downtown missed wide forcing the Celts to foul. He just didn’t have the touch from the outside clanging seven of eight three-point attempts despite 20 points.

When Williams wasn’t in, replacement Josh Childress was ripping it up to the tune of 15 points, six rebounds, three assists and a steal. The former 2004 first rounder out of Stanford has really played big in this series, playing awesome D along with timely hoops and unselfish dishes. His hustle has also kept several loose balls alive including three big offensive rebounds last night.

The Hawks also got a valiant effort from little used reserve center Zaza Pachulia. The big man who jawed with Garnett during Game Four played 28 big minutes scoring nine points on three of four from the field with three free throws, six boards including four offensive and two steals.

That kind of yeoman effort is the reason they’re headed back to Boston for a Game Seven rematch 20 years in the making. Well, maybe it’s not quite Nique and Bird with current Celtic coach Doc Rivers on the Hawk side. But it sure is great theater.

The pressure will be squarely on Boston. They swept all three regular season meetings and have won by an average of 22 points in Games 1, 2 and 5 on their home court.

They didn’t bring in the Big Ticket (22 pts, 7 rebs, 6 assists) and Allen to flop in the first round against a hungry athletic opponent who wants to victimize a heavy favorite much the way Baron Davis and the eighth seeded Golden State Warriors stunned Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks in this same round. So, the pressure will be immense when they tip off Game Seven at 1 ET tomorrow in Boston.

If the Celts win, they’ll play LeBron James and the Cavs, who for the third consecutive year eliminated the Wizards on their home floor . James posted a triple double with 27 points, 13 assists and 13 rebounds in a 105-88 Game Six win at Verizon Center. Deadline pickup Wally Szczerbiak connected on six treys netting 26 points and Daniel Gibson came off the bench for 22 including another four from beyond the arc.

Antawn Jamison paced the Wizards with a double/double (23 and 15) in a losing effort. Game Five hero Caron Butler was limited to 18 on 6 of 14 shooting with four turnovers.

The Utah Jazz also advanced to an enticing Conference Semifinal match-up against rumored regular season league MVP Kobe Bryant and the Lakers. Despite a heroic 40 points, 10 boards and five assists from Tracy McGrady, the Jazz used a more balanced attack with seven different players netting double digits including 10 apiece from reserve guards Kyle Korver and Matt Harpring.

McGrady, who is now 0-7 in playoff series did all he could for the shorthanded Rockets who lost starting guard Rafer Alston to an injury early on which didn’t help their cause. In the past, I’ve been critical of him but the guy did all he could to get his team back in the game. They trailed by 19 in the first half before a McGrady led run which included back-to-back three’s cut the lead to four at the half. The only other Rocket in double digits was rookie power forward Luis Scola, who finished with 15 and nine boards.

The Jazz responded with a strong third quarter outscoring the Rockets 27-11. Point guard Deron Williams had 13 by himself including two straight trifectas which put Utah back in command up 18. The former Illinois standout finished with 25, nine assists and six rebounds. Mehmet Okur added a double/double (19 and 13) and Carlos Boozer chipped in with 15, 10 and 5. 

Utah cruised to a 113-91 Game Six win to setup Sunday’s Game One at Los Angeles. Figure that to be a great series.

When one looks at the AL East standings from the first month, a couple of things will stand out. The Orioles are playing good ball over .500 and the Rays are in first place having won eight of 10.

That also means the Yankees are once again off to a slow start under new skipper Joe Girardi. Something which has become a weird tradition for a team which prides itself on perfection and the pursuit of winning a 27th world championship.

It would be easy to point to the DL stints of MVP Alex Rodriguez and perennial All-Star Jorge Posada for why the Bronx Bombers find themselves two games under .500 (14-16) and three behind both Tampa Bay and Boston. That still doesn’t explain being swept at The Stadium by the Tigers for the first time in 42 years.

Jim Leyland’s resurgent club completed a three-game sweep last night by scoring eight of the last nine runs to turn back a 3-0 Yankee deficit courtesy of a Bobby Abreu three-run first inning blast. No worries for the Tiger bats who pounded out eight extra base hits to the Yanks’ one in rallying back for their eight win in 10 to suddenly pull within a game of .500 (14-15). They started 2-10.

AL MVP runner-up Magglio Ordonez led a balanced 11-hit attack against struggling rookie starter Ian Kennedy. Given a three-run lead, he gave it back when Detroit pushed across four in the third including a tying two-run Ordonez double and a go-ahead Miguel Cabrera RBI triple.

The 23 year-old former first round pick out of USC was looking for his first victory this season but didn’t get much help from Abreu in the field, who according to a few peturbed Bomber fans on WFAN strayed away from the right field wall on two triples in the game. That included a two-run Ramon Santiago three-bagger which was valuable insurance off ineffective losing Yankee reliever Jonathan Albaledejo.

Who??? Exactly.

If you’re a Yankee fan, you know by now that it’s way too early to push the panic button. A-Rod will be back. As for Posada, our guess is as good as anyone’s. Rest is the best thing for the valuable veteran leader.

Even without them, there’s still enough bats to be producing more than what Girardi’s getting. When Melky Cabrera is tied for the club lead in dingers (5), that’s not a good sign. I’m a Melky backer and he’s improved but where the heck is sidekick Robinson Cano?

As usual, Cano’s off to an atrocious start. It’s been the second baseman’s trademark. However, that shouldn’t be an excuse for a talented player capable of winning both a batting title and Gold Glove. Isn’t it about time the 25 year-old who hit .306 with 19 dingers and 97 RBI’s (.343-13-57 Post All-Star in 2007) was held to a higher standard? He now makes more bucks and must start being a more consistent performer because he’s the Yanks’ youngest star in an All-Star lineup with untapped potential.

Getting Cano untracked would certainly be a big step in the right direction. Here’s a suggestion for Girardi. Try hitting him higher in the order. Could someone please explain why he batted eighth last night behind Cabrera and has been Morgan Ensberg with Chad Moeller as batting protection? It makes about as much sense as trying recently recalled Shelly Duncan cleanup.

Jason Giambi also is more washed up than Cher. Unless he’s bopping the ball out, there’s no place for him in the lineup. He shouldn’t hit ahead of Cano.

The only Yanks who are doing their job at the plate are the aforementioned Cabrera and Abreu along with Hideki Matsui. That means they need more from team captain Derek Jeter. And by that, I don’t mean just singles. He has no stolen bases in 24 games. He’s been back long enough to at least attempt steals and set the tone.

Leadoff hitter Johnny Damon has come around after a slow start. The Pinstripes need the gritty 34 year-old former Red Sock to continue getting on base.

While the depleted lineup is one story, the other is the continued problems with the Yankee rotation. Outside of ace Chien-Ming Wang, it’s been pretty mediocre. The 28 year-old Wang won five of his first six starts entering Friday’s home game against Seattle. He’s done his part even striking out 27 in 39 innings.

Andy Pettite’s been up and down. Some outings, the crafty southpaw veteran has done the job winning half while getting into the seventh. The others have seen the 35 year-old 200-plus game winner show his age giving up five long balls. The good news is that when he’s won, that hasn’t been an issue. The bad is that he’s allowed four homers the last two times out. Not coincidentally both Yankee defeats. Is this what you want from your second starter?

Mike Mussina’s performed admirably as the No.3 winning three and losing three in similar fashion to Pettite permitting seven long balls. He’s basically a five inning pitcher. The problem is that taxes a pen which isn’t very good. Especially when Girardi continues to roll out Ross Ohlendorf (Woh-len-dorf) and latest free agent bust LaTroy Hawkins. Instead, he’s reminding Yankee fans of Andy Hawkins. At least they’re not related.

We’ve already documented Kennedy who after last night is still winless in five starts with Girardi non-committal on whether he’ll stay in the rotation. Like the alternatives are any better? Who’s longing to see Japanese failure Kei Igawa?

The Yanks already have to replace an injured Phil Hughes, who it was discovered had a broken rib along with a right oblique strain. That might help explain a miserable start in which he’s 0-4 with a team worst 9.00 ERA. Somehow, he started his sixth game of the season this past Tuesday getting tattooed by Detroit for six earned runs, eight hits along with the first two homers against in just three and two thirds before coming out.

You got to wonder about the 21 year-old former first round pick’s ability to stay healthy. This is the second straight year he’s gone down and will miss significant time. He shouldn’t be expected back before he turns 22. Maybe that’s a good omen.

The Yanks must be right about Kennedy and Hughes because they passed on Johan Santana putting a lot more emphasis on the younger shoulders of the two hurlers while Joba Chamberlain remains a perfect bridge to Mariano Rivera.

Hank Steinbrenner can bark all he wants but keeping Joba in the pen is best for now. Kyle Farnsworth has pitched better lately but let’s be serious. He can’t be trusted in the eighth inning.

What else is alarming? What the heck are Ensberg and reliever Billy Traber doing on the active roster? Better questions for Girardi and Brian Cashman to answer.

For now, the Yanks will have to make do with what they have. No one ever said it would be easy.

Big ups Billy Wagner! It’s not everyday that a ballplayer calls out a teammate for not giving maximum effort but that’s precisely what the Mets’ veteran lefty closer did the other day calling out an ineffective Oliver Perez for not dialing it up a notch.

Instead, the talented southpaw enigma showed his dreadful side losing the plate to the tune of five walks and seven runs (2 ER) in a disastrous second inning against the lowly Pirates. His former club got the better of him taking advantage of porous Met defense turning three errors and one big mental lapse by Jose Reyes to destroy New York 13-1. Prior to the blowout defeat at Shea before another testy crowd (who could blame them), the Amazin’s had won three in a row including the last two from a banged up Atlanta team over the weekend.

Finally, things seemed to be on the way up for Willie Randolph’s ballclub. Not so fast. Instead of making it a two-game sweep of the Pirates and four straight before a challenging West coast swing with stops at major league leader Arizona and the suddenly hot Joe Torre Dodgers (six straight wins), the Mets played sloppy ball in the field and hardly were competitive at the plate against no-name Tom Gorzelanny managing only one hit and zero runs despite five bases on balls in the first five frames.

Where’s Bob Uecker’s Harry Doyle Major League character when you need him?

“There was no get-up-and-go,” a fired up Wagner told reporters after the humiliation. “That can’t happen.”

To say he took Perez and a few lazy teammates to the woodshed would be an understatement. Billy didn’t mince words even indicating that his team was lucky to finish April two over .500 (14-12).

“It might be good if we worked on a little bit of everything,” one of the team’s most consistent performers noted. “Bullpen’s been shoddy. Starting pitching, we’ve had our ups and downs. Hitting comes and goes.”

The talkative Wagner has always been willing to put himself out there challenging teammates to play better. In the third year of a four-year $43 million contract, the 36 year-old who has six saves and 12 K’s in 12 innings while permitting just three hits has every right to be upset. He came here to win a World Series. Despite winning their division two years earlier, they haven’t been to one yet losing in gut wrenching fashion to the Cardinals and then collapsing last September.

With the key acquisition of ace Johan Santana, the Mets were supposed to get a tremendous lift and make the negativity of last year go away. However, that’s not what’s happened so far which is why Wagner sounded the justified alarm that his team needs to be better.

You could start with Reyes being Reyes on a daily basis and Carlos Beltran remembering that he was given over $100 million three years ago to be a big run producer. Not just a streaky player who goes from hot to ice cold making Met fans see the recurring image of the bat on the shoulder with Adam Wainwright and the Cards celebrating on their field.

As for Wagner target Perez, he’s only gone six once in his first six outings. Oh btw…that came in a 13-0 Apr.2 rout at Florida a month ago. It’s awfully hard to accumulate innings when you walk nearly as many batters as you strikeout. Twenty one walks in 29 IP just won’t get it done. Especially with a thin pen which Randolph has already overused.

Outside of Wagner, Pedro Feliciano and the coming along Duaner Sanchez whose role should magnify, who else can Met supporters trust out of that pig pen?

Fairly simple reply.

Wagner even admitted on The Michael Kay show during his weekly segment yesterday that he’s not the most liked teammate. No surprise there since many players today hate when a brutally honest and caring ‘mate tosses high heaters instead of soft lobs to the press if their team isn’t playing to expectation.

Today’s players are too pampered. These Mets feel they’ve accomplished something already when that’s far from the case. It’s about winning championships.

That Wagner spoke up shows his heart’s in the right place. He knows it should be much better. It’s not like anyone’s running away with the NL East. The Phils are still without MVP Jimmy Rollins and don’t have much pitching to speak of. Florida has dropped three straight and aren’t very deep pitching-wise either. The Braves are banged up and have dropped four in a row. Though they’re playing better, the Nats are still the Nats.

On paper, the Mets should have enough to take the division. Maybe that’s the problem. Paper doesn’t win you anything. A crisper brand of baseball will.

The same applies for what’s gone on across town in the Bronx. We’ll get to that story another day.

For now, we admire Billy The Kid and wish there were more players like him in today’s game. He clearly gets IT!

Sometimes, a slow jam every now and then ain’t bad. R Kelly used to be the master if you ignore all the other stuff. Yeah. He can still hack it on the mic. Though when he and the died way too young Aaliyah teamed up for “At Your Best (You Are Love),” that was great stuff. Aaliyah was awesome. R.I.P.

Chris Brown has that vibe too. His hit song, “With You” is just really special. It seems to get played all the time on Hot 97 and for good reason. The lyrics are good meshing well with the background music. That’s how you get that classic R & B sound. It definitely works.

Guess that’s the kind of mood I’m in. It can’t always be high tempo even for myself.

Chris Brown: “With You“

In the movie classic Wizard Of Oz, Dorothy’s character claims, “There’s no place like home.”

Thus far, that’s held true for the first five games between the East’s top seeded Celtics and eighth seeded Hawks in the First Round. Coming off consecutive losses in Atlanta, Boston rebounded with a 110-85 Game Five victory to go up 3-2 in the best-of-seven series.

The result wasn’t surprising since the Celts fed off the energy like they did in Games One and Two. Factor in that Atlanta was 0 for their last 11 in road playoff games. So, it was predictable especially with a young team.

Though Boston led throughout building a double digit lead, the pesky Hawks chipped away at it cutting the deficit to 11 with under a minute left in the third quarter. That’s when the two biggest plays were made from Paul Pierce and James Posey to rebuild an 81-64 lead by the quarter’s conclusion.

First, Pierce drove the lane and converted a very difficult acrobatic lay-up getting fouled for a three-point play. Following an Atlanta misfire, heady Boston point guard Rajon Rondo got the ball quickly up court and found a wide open Posey for a bread and butter trey with a second to spare. 

Just like that, instead of the Hawks possibly being down by nine, instead they trailed by 17. While not insurmountable, it was just too much to ask for a vastly inexperienced Atlanta club to comeback from.

Led by Pierce’s series best 22 (10-of-17 FG) along with seven rebounds and six assists, the Celtics cruised to the 25-point win at TD Banknorth Garden. Kevin Garnett scored 20, posted five boards and seven assists. Rondo also dropped seven times as Doc Rivers’ club spread the wealth with 12 more assists than their opponent (Celts-28, Hawks-16).

Boston also got a splendid shooting night from Ray Allen, who connected on five-of-eight three’s en route to 19 points. Even savvy vet Sam Cassell got into the act nailing two triples on his way to a valuable 13 off the bench in just 15 minutes.

The Celts held the three-point edge sinking 9-of-20 to the Hawks’ 4-of-13.

In a losing effort, Game Four hero Joe Johnson paced his team with 21 finishing 6-of-11 from the field including two from downtown plus a perfect seven-for-seven at the charity stripe. Rookie center Al Horford had his best effort of the series notching a double/double (14 and 10) to go with five assists. Josh Smith added 18 with five boards, three assists and three steals.

So, can the Hawks do what team legend and exec Dominique Wilkins flashed showing seven fingers to a TNT camera? They’ll need a better effort from veteran guard Mike Bibby. Six points and just one assist while turning it over three times in almost 40 minutes just won’t cut it. Conversely, he had 18 in their Game Four win at Phillips Arena. That’s what they’ll need.

It will take a lot of effort on both sides of the court to extend the battle tested Celtics the distance. By now, they want to get this series over with and not chance going a seventh game.

Sure. They’re not losing this series. However, going seven this round won’t help their quest to reach the NBA Finals.

In the other playoff series last night, the Cavs couldn’t close out the Wizards dropping an 88-87 decision on their home floor. They got outscored 6-0 in the final 1:47 blowing an 87-82 lead.

Delonte West’s three-point play had supplied Cleveland with the five-point lead but some bad possessions along with a Caron Butler score plus two Antonio Daniels free throws suddenly cut it to 87-86 with 43 ticks left.

A couple of more Cleveland misses from in tight allowed the Wizards to get the ball back. Following a timeout, they went to their best player Butler, who hit a tough driving lay-up with LeBron James draped all over him.

There were still 3.9 seconds left. Enough time for LeBron to once again end Washington’s season as he had a couple of years prior. However, this time he missed a runner off the backboard and rim allowing the Wizards to escape with new life.

They’ll now get a Game Six back in the nation’s capital tomorrow. Who thinks they’re losing that? You can pretty much book a Game Seven.

Butler’s heroics put the exclamation point on a brilliant night. The former Uconn star finished with 32 points on 11-of-22 shooting including four trifectas along with six-for-seven from the line. He also added nine rebounds, five assists and two swipes in nearly playing all 48.

For once, a Walt Frazier expression played true. The Butler did it! There’s a reason he’s one of my fave players. He’s really worked hard to become an NBA All-Star and a versatile player who can score, get teammates involved and D up. His big night along with DeShawn Stevenson’s 17 and Daniels’ 12 helped offset only eight from Antawn Jamison.

For the Cavs, James led the way with 34 netting 24 in the second half. Did we also mention the man child had 10 boards and seven assists? Just awe inspiring. How can you not love LeBron? Well, with the exception of driving a really fast car at insane speeds and all the other fame which comes with it…Never mind.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas had 19 and West netted 12 points, five rebounds and eight assists. Great pickup from Seattle for next to nothing! I called that one.

Realistically, I can’t see the Cavs dropping this series. The Wizards are without Gilbert Arenas. Even if they have played well without him, it’s hard to see them winning three in a row over LeBron. Especially with a seventh game back in Cleveland.

Figure the MVP candidate to rescue his team.

Mavericks Fire Johnson: In other NBA news, it came as little shock that Dallas fired coach Avery Johnson for another first round disappointment. Still, I feel he got a raw deal here as it was just too much to expect the former NBA Coach Of The Year to suddenly make it all work because crazy owner Mark Cuban got Jason Kidd at the deadline. Two months just isn’t enough time to mesh and they ran into a better opponent in the Hornets.

You have to figure Johnson will wind up coaching again. Maybe the Bulls or Knicks? It’s also rumored that Mike D’Antoni will step down as Suns coach. Look for him to resurface in Toronto and re-team with Bryan Colangelo. That also would mean Sam Mitchell would not return as Raptor coach even though he’s done an admirable job.

That’s the NBA for ya where it’s all about now and how far you go. Proven track records only work if your name is Larry Brown, who still manages to get jobs even though he’s just in Charlotte for another paycheck.

Ditto Pat Riley, who “retired from coaching.” Just ask current Magic coach Stan Van Gundy about that. Who really could take Riley at his word? In the old WFAN days, Steve Somers and Russ Salzberg got it right when Riles dissed New York only to resurface in Miami:

The Loser Within

See. Even American Idol’s Paula Abdul got one right.

Maybe it was fitting that the same script was written for both the Mavericks and Suns last night. Each lost close Game Fives on the road to be eliminated in disappointing first round showings against better opponents.

Not long ago, they were two of the Western powers who could go deep into the NBA’s second season. Now, not even acquiring marquee stars such as Jason Kidd or Shaq could alter a downward spiral for each. It’s two straight years for the Mavs out in the first round. Though falling to Chris Paul and the Hornets wasn’t much of a stunner like last year’s bowing out to eighth seed Golden State.

In his third year, Paul is a legit MVP candidate along with Kobe and LeBron proving he’s legit ripping apart the older Kidd along with the rest of the Mavs. He only recorded his first career playoff triple double in closing out Dallas with 24 points, 11 rebounds and 15 assists. David West added 25 points, seven boards and four assists. Tyson Chandler was a force underneath grabbing 14 rebounds (seven offensive) and blocking three shots. Reserve guard Jannero Pargo also came off the bench for 17 shooting seven for nine from the floor with a couple of triples.

It all added up to a five-game victory and first ever series win since the Hornets relocated to New Orleans.

On the losing side, Dirk Nowitzki’s double/double (22 and 13) along with six assists and a couple of blocks weren’t enough to save the Mavs’ season. Neither was Kidd’s best effort of the series in which he had 14 points, nine assists and four boards. Jason Terry also added 13 points and nine dishes. Still, Dallas didn’t have enough to offset their younger opponent who advanced to a Conference Semifinal meeting against the defending champion Spurs.

Who isn’t excited about that match-up? Old established guard against new kid on the block. The point guard match-up between Paul and 2007 Finals MVP Tony Parker should be one to enjoy for any hoop fan.

Parker just got done finishing off Steve Nash, Shaq and the Suns going for over 30 again with a team high 31 to go with eight dimes. I’ve come to the conclusion that Mr. Parker is just The Truth. I love his game cause he never settles. Plus he’s lightning quick off the dribble making like the Road Runner.

Nash and the Suns won’t be rising as Shaq promised. Oh well. The Big Aristotle did try hard giving his all on the defensive end despite foul trouble. He had 13 points but was only two of eight from the field and misfired on 11 of 20 free throws. Yikes. Gregg Popovich’s hack-a-Shaq formula worked. O’Neal still pulled down nine rebounds, blocked three shots and had a couple of steals in over 29 minutes.

In crunch time, the Suns were right there fighting for their playoff lives. They nearly stole Game Five and got it back to Phoenix. And who would’ve bet against them forcing a seventh game? The reason they lost was because Nash had some costly turnovers. He was stripped once by freaking Robert Horry. Big Shot Bob is only supposed to be good for the occasional dagger from downtown. He shouldn’t be able to pick Nash’s pocket clean. Especially with Tim Duncan on the sidelines with Shaq out which should’ve been an edge for Phoenix on the offensive end. Wow.

Nash had a couple of other bad miscues as did teammate Boris Diaw jumping a crosscourt pass to nobody in the final minute. The Spurs didn’t screw up instead allowing Parker to do his thing and Manu Ginobili to do his from the free throw line even though he had an off night finishing with just eight. Half came from the charity stripe.

There also was a big make from Duncan where he went by Shaq off the dribble and beat the shot clock with an eight foot runner off the glass. Yeah. The Big Fundamental can still play as evidenced by his strong 29 and 17 with three blocks. He’s a gamer.

The Suns bricked 17 of 37 free throws. The worst total in 14 years. At least for them cause if I caught it right, the last time came against the Rockets. Isn’t that when they blew a 3-1 lead? Never mind.

I do have to wonder how Nash only wound up with three assists while turning the ball over five times. He also shot a pitiful four for 16. Against Parker and the physical Bruce Bowen, Nash looked old. He’s 34 and certainly not getting any younger. Maybe the pounding is finally taking its toll cause he looks like an Ewok from Star Wars out there.

So, will Mike D’Antoni get the axe for this? Should he really when new GM Steve Kerr decided to bring in Shaq and throw him into a system which wouldn’t work? No. They needed more time to jell. Ditto for J Kidd, Dirk and the rest of the Mavs coached by Avery “Squeaky” Johnson.

I concur with what TNT’s Charles “The Chuckster” Barkley said during the postgame. Both are good coaches who got thrown for a loop with big acquisitions. And it’s not that easy to just go and win with that much time left. It doesn’t account for team chemistry, etc. Did Shaq and Dwyane Wade win the first year down in Miami? Of course not.

For that reason, I wouldn’t fire either coach. They’ll be scooped up faster than Larry Brown can reach his next destination. Charlotte? Really? Is he kidding? They suck! I guess he must be really de$perate or hasn’t met Dan “Da Man” Wheeler (Wheel-ah) yet. 

Much has been made out of Carlos Delgado’s non-reaction to Met fans asking for the beleaguered first baseman to come out for a curtain call after he hit his second home run in a 6-3 win over the Braves Sunday at Shea.

Those would be the same fans who booed Delgado at every turn including earlier that day for being in the lineup. While his dreadful start warranted the classic reaction from Amazin fans, how could anyone disagree with the veteran slugger opting not to come out and show appreciation?

It was the one time he’d been cheered so far during what’s been a tough month where another slow start saw him hitting below the Mendoza Line until the other day. In a lineup which outside of David Wright and Ryan Church is struggling with just 15 total home runs, the Mets need Delgado’s big bat to heat up.

The Mets themselves aren’t exactly lighting it up either. Delgado and struggling reliever Aaron Heilman are the biggest targets at the moment with Willie Randolph not far behind. The pressure’s on to perform. Especially from a frantic fanbase that’s still fearful of last year’s September collapse having a hangover affect which might explain a 13-11 record, tied with the Phillies for second a game and a half behind the Marlins.

Until Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran get untracked, the Mets will continue to have issues. Now, those are two younger stars who are in their primes. By contrast, the 35 year-old Delgado who’s slugged over 430 career dingers won’t be revisiting his best days. Just being a productive bat who could drive the ball out would be enough to help boost his ballclub and get fans off his back.

Even if he invited criticism the past 48 hours, one can certainly understand why. He hasn’t earned it yet and knows he needs to do it consistently. If he does, maybe then you’ll see a different Delgado engage the Shea supporters.

Joe Johnson couldn’t be stopped. The top seeded Celtics had no answer for the explosive leading Hawks’ scorer who scored 20 of his game high 35 in a fourth quarter comeback to lead the big underdog to a second straight home win 97-92 in Game Four-leveling the best-of-seven first round series at two games apiece.

In a back and forth riveting playoff game at Phillips Arena which saw the eighth seeded Hawks comeback from a 16-3 hole to take an eight-point lead before a strong third quarter by Boston put them down 10, the home team rallied outscoring the Celts 32-17 in the last 12 minutes to win their second straight. Most expected them to go quietly and get swept after not being competitive in the first two games but Atlanta had other ideas taking Game Three 102-93 and using that strong fourth quarter to square the series and put all tons of pressure on Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen  along with the rest of former Hawk point guard Doc Rivers’ team.

It was Johnson and super athletic deluxe Josh Smith (28 pts, 12 of 13 FT, Hawks franchise playoff record seven blocks, six rebounds) who took all the Hawks’ shots combining to score all 32 points dominating the paint against a normally strong Boston defensive club. In particular, they weren’t able to shutdown Johnson, who toasted Allen on effective pick n’ roll isolation all quarter scoring on an array of floaters. Maybe the biggest shot in a game where his team trailed 75-65 after being outscored 27-14 in the third was a classic schoolyard crossover where defender Leon Powe was so badly faked out that he fell down allowing Johnson to step back and drain a trey from the left arc, putting Mike Woodson’s team up four with 4:41 left as a raucous crowd erupted invoking memories of Atlanta-Boston series past which featured NBA Hall of Famers Dominique Wilkins and Larry Bird.

At one point, Johnson scored nine straight including a couple of ridiculous finishes where he sliced and diced the Boston D. Along with some money free throw making from Smith, they wouldn’t allow Atlanta to lose insuring that there would be another home game in the series.

Two late James Posey three’s weren’t enough as Johnson and Smith finished off the Celts at the line. In fact, the dynamic duo finished with 18 of Atlanta’s 29 free throw makes. Overall, the Hawks shot lights out going 29 for 33 as compared to the Celtics’ 10 of 18. That was the biggest difference.

They also got invaluable contributions from rookie Al Horford on the defensive glass as he finished with a game high 13 boards. Josh Childress came off the bench to grab nine rebounds including a big offensive board late to get a new shotclock. He also had a highlight reel tomahawk jam netting four points and two assists in nearly 32 minutes.

The game also featured some nastiness with Garnett and Atlanta backup center Zaza Pachulia going nose to nose before cooler heads prevailed. Pachulia took exception to a KG elbow going right after the Boston superstar nearly butting him. Both got T’s as did Sam Cassell and Johnson in which each respective coach came out making certain nobody from the bench got involved.

Good thing too because league commish David Stern was in the house looking on. There could be fines but it doesn’t look like there will be any suspensions which would be the best case scenario with a best two-of-three deciding this series.

“We all know he’s a great player,” Pachulia later indicated of Garnett who finished with 20 points, nine rebounds and six steals in a losing cause. “He’s done a lot of good things for the league. He’s a future Hall of Famer. But it doesn’t matter when we’re on the court.”

“I don’t take anything from anybody,” Pachulia added. “The message was, ‘We’re right here. Even if we lose, it’s not going to be easy.”’

Message delivered.

Two Advance: In the other two first round games played Monday night, both Orlando and the Lakers advanced to the Conference Semis.

The Magic got another 20/20 performance from man child Dwight Howard (21 pts, 21 rebs) as they eliminated the Raptors posting a 102-92 Game Five home win.

Howard paced a balanced attack which saw all five starters hit for double digits including a double/double from Rashard Lewis (18 and 13), 19 from Jameer Nelson and Hedo Turkoglu’s 12 along with a game high nine assists.

Turkoglu was presented with the NBA’s Most Improved Player before the game beating out Memphis’ Rudy Gay and Portland’s LaMarcus Aldridge. Reserve guard Keith Bogans also came off the bench nailing three triples for 11 points, six boards and two assists in 35 minutes.

Toronto was paced by star power forward Chris Bosh’ 16 and nine rebounds. Supersubs Jason Kapono, Carlos Delfino and Jose Calderon each netted double figures combining for five treys and 39 points. Raptor point guard T.J. Ford added 14 but only five assists while turning it over four times.

Orlando now will await the 76ers-Pistons winner. That series is tied 2-2.

Meanwhile out West, the top seeded Lakers advanced with a hard fought 107-101 Game Four road win over the Nuggets, sweeping their talented opponent out of the playoffs. It’s the fifth consecutive year Denver’s bowed out in the first round. According to TNT, the Nuggets became the first 50-win team in playoff history to be swept in Round One.

Kobe Bryant came alive in the final quarter scoring 14 of his 31 in the last five and a half following a 17+ minute drought. Making an assortment of Kobe-esque shots as only the Laker superstar can do, he carried his team down the stretch in shooting down a more pesky Denver team finishing them off to advance to Round Two where they’ll play either Utah or Houston. The Jazz lead that series 3-1.

Bryant is a lot like Michael Jordan in that when his team needs it most, he’ll step up and make the very difficult big shots which provide sparks. This was a fun game to watch with the Nuggets refusing to go away thanks to some ridiculous hot shooting from sixth man J.R. Smith. The 22 year-old out of Freehold, New Jersey hit a couple of deep three’s including a 28-footer. That along with a three-point play put Denver back ahead by one 96-95 with over three minutes to play.

But a tough Kobe trademark 15-foot floater along with some great passing to setup an uncontested Luke Walton trey from the right corner put Los Angeles on top 100-96 with 2:37 left.

The Nuggets never seriously threatened again. It was the first time in franchise history they were swept out of the postseason.

“My wish would be that we had four games like tonight and we all could have been happier,” Nuggets coach George Karl lamented of his team which doesn’t always play disciplined on both ends.

“I’ve said all along, when they play the right way, they’re fun guys to coach.”

The dilemma for Denver moving forward is how do they change that chaotic style into a winner. They can score with Carmelo Anthony (21 pts, 11 rebs) and Allen Iverson (22 pts, 10-of-22 FG, only 2 assists) plus Smith, who becomes a free agent this summer. However, where’s the D? Marcus Camby plays hard as does Kenyon Martin, who has never quite fit in since bolting the Nets.

Unless Denver alters their style meaning not as much reliance on the offensive end at one-on-one emphasizing better team oriented play in the halfcourt set, they’ll continue to win games but not when it counts most.

It’s high time for an adjustment.

Star veteran player has best season in contract year. Gets re-upped. Then for the first time in a potential Hall Of Fame 14-year career, gets hurt and goes on the DL with a bad shoulder. Maybe it was bound to happen to star Yankee catcher Jorge Posada, who never had been on the DL before.

The 36 year-old Posada has been a fixture behind the plate for the Bronx Bombers spanning more than a decade. A five-time AL All-Star who’s finished in the top six of MVP voting twice including sixth last season in which teammate Alex Rodriguez took home the hardware, Posada’s throwing shoulder had been aching him for a couple of weeks forcing him out of action. Most alarming was that while a team MRI revealed a strain it hasn’t improved causing the respectable backstop to shut it down and visit orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews.

There’s a possibility that it could be a torn labrum which would likely spell the end of Posada’s season. He’s in the first year of a four-year $52.4 million contract. In 18 games this season, he’s hit .302 with a homer, 11 RBI’s and eight runs scored.

Once before following the 2001 season, the Puerto Rican had surgery to repair a torn labrum. The Yankees and Posada will find out the diagnosis soon. For now, the Pinstripes will have to go on without one of their mainstays who helped them win three of four World Series including three straight from 1998-2000.

“He’ll be all right. I’m not a doctor, but my opinion is he’ll be OK,” longtime teammate and Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter indicated.. “I know that Jorge takes a lot of pride in playing. It’s better off to rest it now than run into a problem later in the season. Other guys have to step up, pick up the slack.

“Obviously, Jorge is tough to replace, but every team goes through things like this. The thing is, I think he’ll still be in here (the clubhouse) and that’s important. He’ll be on the DL a couple weeks.”

For first-year skipper Joe Girardi, it’s a loss which should be felt in and out of the clubhouse.

“It’s kind of strange to go into the clubhouse and you don’t see him,” the 1996 World Series hero said of a catcher who had started at least 137 games behind the plate the past eight seasons. “He’s a quiet leader. He’s a constant in the clubhouse, you like to see guys like that.”

So, can the Yanks survive without him? Well, veteran backup Jose Molina isn’t bad by any stretch and should get the majority of the starts in Posada’s place. The ex-Angel acquired last year doesn’t possess the big bat but is a steady influence behind the plate who has a solid arm.

In a packed lineup which includes Jeter, Rodriguez, Bobby Abreu and Hideki Matsui, Molina shouldn’t have to carry the load. If Robinson Cano gets out of a slump, that should bolster it. Especially with Melky Cabrera’s improved power tying Jason Giambi for the club lead with five dingers.

Molina will be backed up by 26 year-old recall Chris Stewart, who hit .300 with a .404 on-base percentage in 40 at bats with Triple A Scranton/Wilkes Barre.

The good news for the Yanks who again have gotten out of the gate slowly is that they rebounded taking the last two from Cleveland to gain a split of a four-game road series. Sure. They were no-hit for five innings by 22 year-old Indian southpaw Aaron Laffey but managed to scratch out four in the sixth following infield hits by Cabrera and Jeter.

They didn’t exactly hammer Laffey instead dinking and dunking their way to home plate with just a Morgan Ensberg infield hit (third of inning) plating one of the four more conventional.

The four run sixth along with a Hideki Matsui eighth inning runscoring double in the eighth helped Mike Mussina even his record at 3-3. The 39 year-old vet wasn’t great but did just enough in going five before a Yankee pen which included the 1-2 punch of Joba Chamberlain and Mariano Rivera did the rest silencing the Cleveland bats.

Even Kyle Farnsworth tossed a scoreless frame K-ing one. Maybe it’s the mop but he’s actually pitched better lately. More than Girardi could say for first-year reliever LaTroy Hawkins.

What it all means is that the Yanks return home for three against the Tigers back over .500 (14-13) a game out of first where there’s a three-way tie between the Rays, Birds and Sox.

Maybe they get it going now. Just don’t expect Posada to be part of it anytime soon.