LEADING OFF

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Photograph by Greg Nelson

BEAR TRAP Clippers forward Blake Griffin closed in on Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley as Conley tried to score during Game 1 of the Western Conference quarterfinals in Memphis on Sunday. Griffin and Conley each scored 17 points as L.A. rallied from 27 down late in the third quarter to edge the Grizzlies 99--98 (page 31).

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Photograph by Robert Beck

RUBBER-NECKING Coyotes goalie Mike Smith (41) turned to look at the puck as it flew over the crossbar during Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals in Glendale, Ariz., last Friday. The unsuccessful shot was by Predators forward Gabriel Bourque (out of frame). Phoenix won the game 4--3 in overtime (page 38).

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Photograph by Al Bello/Getty Images

SNAP SHOT A punch from challenger Chad Dawson changed Bernard Hopkins's outlook during their 12-round WBC light heavyweight title fight in Atlantic City last Saturday. Dawson, 29, took the belt from the 47-year-old Hopkins by majority decision (page 40).