The first Conference semi final series kicked off last night with the Cavs coming back to beat the Celtics and tonight the first Western semi will begin (Jazz at Lakers) while the Bucks and Hawks will play game 7 in the last first round series still alive. It’s a good time to see what the top 5 individual performances were in these playoffs so far, according to the efficiency ratings. Big surprise – LeBron has three of the top 5 spots.

Number 5 – LeBron James, April 22

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Stat line – 39 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 blocks and 2 steals.

Outcome – In game 3 of the Cavs-Bulls first round series, Chicago got their first and only win of the series, beating Cleveland 108-106, as Derrick Rose led the shorthanded team with 31 points, aided by 27 from Hinrich and 20 from Loul Deng. Lebron did have a massive night, scoring 13 in the fourth quarter, but he also turned the ball over 5 times throughout the night and eventually couldn’t bring the Cavs back from their 11 point first quarter deficit which remained intact till the beginning of the fourth.

Number 4 – Carmelo Anthony, April 17

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Stat line – 42 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists.

Outcome – Carmelo scored a career playoff high, hitting 18 of 25 from the field as the Nuggets took game 1 against the Utah Jazz. It didn’t help them, as the Jazz are the ones who’ll face the Lakers tonight in game 1 of the Western Conference Semi Final. And we thought the Nuggets grew up last year.

Number 3 – Jason Richardson, April 22

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Stat line – 42 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals

Outcome – J-Rich, who seems to be the Suns’ barometer in these playoffs, hit a playoff career-high while hitting eight three pointers, as Portland kept focusing on Nash and Amare, leaving Richardson wide open time and time again. Brandon Roy didn’t even play in that game, as the Suns went 2-1 up in a series they eventually won.

Number 2 – LeBron James, April 19

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Stat line – 40 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 blocks

Outcome – LeBron led the Cavs to a 2-0 lead in the series they eventually won 4-1, scoring 40 while shooting 16-23 from the field, including 15 fourth quarter points, as the Bulls kept leaving him open for jumpers, daring him to win the game by hitting outside shots. LeBron wasn’t too impressed or intimidated by the trash talking Bulls, keeping his glance war with the Chicago bench alive all night after every shot he made.

Number 1 – LeBron James, April 25

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Stat line – 37 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists, 2 steals

Outcome – Cleveland bounced back in high fashion after their game 3 loss, destroying the Bulls in Chicago 121-98 a couple of nights before finally finishing the series. LeBron pulled off his fifth career playoff triple double, also hitting six from three point land, becoming the first player to have a 30-10-10 night and hit at least six shots from long range. Joakim Noah scored 21 points and grabbed 20 rebounds, the first Bulls player to get a 20-20 in the playoffs.