NBA Daily Blog Playoff Edition: First round comes to an end. Clippers advance to the 2nd round, defeats the Grizzlies in Game 7 82-72. Heat take Game 1 vs the Pacers 95-86.

The Clippers celebrate their Game 7 victory as they advance to the second round

Photo ©NBA.com

The First Round of the 2012 NBA Playoffs have come to an end. The Los Angeles Clippers became the last team to advance to the second round as they take a stunning road victory in Game 7 against the Memphis Grizzlies at the FedExForum 82-72. The Clippers almost blew the series after taking a commanding 3-1 series lead and losing the next two games which forced this match. But they held their grip in this slugfest in Game 7 and will now face the top-seeded team in the West, the San Antonio Spurs who are coming off a first round sweep of the Utah Jazz. Game 1 of that series will be on May 16 in San Antonio.

Chris Paul led the Clippers with 19 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. Nick Young off the bench scored 13 points. Kenyon Martin finished with a double-double 11 points and 10 rebounds with 2 blocks. Mo Williams scored 9 points. Blake Griffin, Caron Butler and Eric Bledsoe each scored 8 points.

Rudy Gay led the Grizzlies with 19 points and 9 rebounds. Marc Gasol also scored 19 points with 5 rebounds and 3 blocks. Zach Randolph added 9 points and 12 rebounds. Mike Conley and Tony Allen each scored 7 points.

In Miami, the Miami Heat begin the second round taking Game 1 of their series against the Indiana Pacers at the American Airlines Arena 95-86. Game 2 will still be in Miami on May 16. Recently crowned MVP LeBron James led the Heat with a double-double 32 points and 15 rebounds with 5 assists and 2 steals. Dwayne Wade added 29 points and 4 assists. Chris Bosh added 13 points and 5 rebounds. Joel Anthony off the bench added 9 points and 7 rebounds. David West led the Pacers with a double-double 17 points and 12 rebounds. Roy Hibbert also finished with a double-double 17 points and 11 rebounds. George Hill and Darren Collison each scored 10 points. Leandro Barbosa off the bench scored 9 points.

2012 NBA Playoffs Bracket (as of 12:52 PHT)

WESTERN CONFERENCE

#1 Spurs vs #8 Jazz

SAN ANTONIO SPURS WINS SERIES 4-0

#1 Spurs vs #5 Clippers
Game 1: May 16, 9:30 am PHT Channel TBD

#4 Grizzlies vs #5 Clippers

LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS WINS SERIES 4-3

#2 Thunder vs #3 Lakers

Game 1: May 15, 9:30 am PHT Channel TBD

EASTERN CONFERENCE

#4 Celtics vs #8 76ers (Celtics lead series 1-0)
Game 1: May 15, 7:00 am PHT Channel TBD

#2 Heat vs #3 Pacers (Heat lead series 1-0)
Game 1: May 16, 7:00 am PHT Channel TBD

K-Smoove