Minnesota are leading Sacramento in the Western Conference First Round 2-1 with a 91-78 upset keyed by Smith's great play. There's no question that Sacramento is the better team, and even after today's loss they remain ranked ahead of Minnesota. But that wasn't important today, when Smith took over and carried his team to a win. "What a gift," grinned Minnesota coach Bob. "The rest of the team got outplayed, but Smith stepped up and got us the win. No complaints, but we'd be surprised to get another win over Sacramento."

Said losing coach Bob, "What a tough way to lose. It seemed like we had everything under control today. We pretty much did what we wanted, except for Smith."

Minnesota was led by Smith (8 points, 8 assists, 3 steals, a block), Dirks (22 points, a steal, a block), Prince (14 points, 2 assists, 2 blocks). Sacramento was led by Bravo (20 points, 9 boards, 1 assists, a steal, 4 blocks), Gilliam (23 points, 0 assists, 3 steals, a block), Brown (5 points, 8 boards, 1 assists, 2 blocks).

box score Minnesota roster Sacramento roster

Transactions
CVBL: Portland Upends Memphis
CVBL: Minnesota Outplays a Better Sacramento Team 106-92
CVBL: Portland Upsets Memphis 104-102
CVBL: Memphis Get Beyond the Western Conference First Round by Getting Past Portland 4-3
CVBL: Portland Takes Out Memphis in a Big Win for Bob
CVBL: Sacramento Wins Over Minnesota 89-78
CVBL: Sacramento Embarrasses Minnesota in 112-73 Win
CVBL: Memphis 129, Portland 94
CVBL: Sacramento Beats Minnesota 87-84
CVBL: Utah Topple LA Clippers 4-1, To the Western Conference Semifinals
CVBL: LA Clippers Beats Utah 82-73
CVBL: Memphis Wins Big
CVBL: Utah Go Up 3-1 in Western Conference First Round
CVBL: Sacramento Wins Over Minnesota 101-77
CVBL: Houston Gets Win Over Oklahoma Cty
CVBL: Houston Wins
CVBL: Utah Gets Easy Win
CVBL: Houston Topple Oklahoma Cty 4-0, To the Western Conference Semifinals
CVBL: Houston Downs Oklahoma Cty
CVBL: Memphis Pull Ahead 1-0 in Western Conference First Round
CVBL: Utah Comes up Big Over LA Clippers
CVBL: Charlotte Pull Ahead 3-1 in Eastern Conference First Round
CVBL: Charlotte Stuns Detroit
CVBL: Charlotte Lead 2-0 in Eastern Conference First Round
CVBL: Detroit Advance Past the Eastern Conference First Round by Getting Past Charlotte 4-3
CVBL: Detroit Pulls Out Win Over Charlotte 97-88
CVBL: Detroit Still Down 2-3 in Eastern Conference First Round
CVBL: Detroit Downs Charlotte
CVBL: New York Wins 108-92
CVBL: Brooklyn Surprises Philadelphia
CVBL: New York Clobbers Atlanta 114-85
CVBL: Brooklyn Takes Out Philadelphia in a Big Win for Bob
CVBL: New York Takes Out Atlanta in a Big Win for Bob
CVBL: New York Send Home Atlanta 4-2, Move Past the Eastern Conference First Round
CVBL: Cleveland Upends Toronto 101-78
CVBL: Brooklyn Takes Out Philadelphia in a Big Win for Bob
CVBL: Atlanta Lead 1-0 in Eastern Conference First Round
CVBL: Philadelphia Coasts Past Brooklyn
CVBL: Atlanta Pull Ahead 2-0 in Eastern Conference First Round
CVBL: Toronto Beat Cleveland 4-1, Continue to the Eastern Conference Semifinals
CVBL: Toronto Cruises Past Cleveland
CVBL: Philadelphia Pulls out the Win over Brooklyn
CVBL: Philadelphia Over Brooklyn
CVBL: Toronto Takes Easy Win over Cleveland
CVBL: Philadelphia Tie Series 1-1 in Eastern Conference First Round
CVBL: Toronto Pulls Out Win Over Cleveland 93-85