Cavs Sweep Lakers

Reservists Jason Terry and Jose Juan Barea turned into nightmares for the opposing defense, and the Dallas Mavericks beated the Lakers 122-86 to sweep the playoff series and qualify for the final Western Conference in the NBA.

Terry scored 32 points and Barea 22 others, in addition to 17, Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavericks accomplished the feat of eliminating the champions of the last two seasons by winning the series 4-0 to the best of seven games in the semifinals of the West.

Mavs also managed to spot the winning record Lakers coach Phil Jackson, who will host his announced retirement from the only sweep in 21 postseason after winning 11 championship rings, six with the Chicago Bulls five with the Lakers.

"All my hopes and aspirations before retiring were on this game (against Dallas), " said Jackson after the game.

Ron Artest in Trade Talks?

Ron Artest

Los Angeles Lakers Forward Ron Artest said recently he still feel good playing for the current NBA Champions even his role has been reduced as a daily player.

"Just because you're not comfortable doesn't mean that you're not happy," he said. "Obviously when I was on other teams, I got a lot of touches. But I'm playing with the greatest player in the history of the game, and I'm playing with All-Stars. I don't have a problem with looking bad on the court for the benefit of the team."

"Ron's limited in his activity, simply because he got banged up in the Boston game," Jackson said. "He's really limited. He's not running freely. You can see it [in the second half against Houston] -- he couldn't get loose again. A lot of things go into this besides the speculation which you guys have going on."

During the NBA Season start, some sources reports of an argument between Artest and coach Phil Jackson during practice surfaced.