NBA 2011-2012 Schedule (Maybe)

Well, the NBA released its 2011-2012 schedule yesterday despite the fact that most league analysts are predicting a lengthy lock-out and many players are considering going overseas.

Here's a look at some of the big games on the schedule.

11/1/2011 CHI @ DAL, OKC @ LAL
The season will tip-off with the defending Champions, Dallas Mavericks hosting the Chicago Bulls who made the EC Finals. The 2nd half of that double-header will feature the Los Angeles Lakers against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Kobe v. Durant.

12/25/11 DAL @ MIA, BOS @ NYK, CHI @ LAL
Everyone usually gets pretty pumped for the Christmas Day games. I know it is always a way for me to escape the family chaos for a few hours. This year we'll get Dallas visiting South Beach to play the Heat. Should be a big crowd, huh? No way people in Miami show up to fill that stadium on Christmas day.
The Celtics will also battle on Christmas Day, this year against New York in another episode of this budding rivalry. That will be at MSG and the Lakers will also host Chicago that night. (That is an awesome lineup of games. Fuck presents and stockings...I'll be stuffing my face with cookies in front of the tv)


3/4/12 Heat @ Lakers
Always an entertaining game, and it should be a good crowd because it is in LA...not Miami.



And a look at the C's schedule -

11/2/11 CLE @ BOS
They'll open up at home against Cleveland. Boring.


11/16/11 BOS @ MIA
The first meeting against Miami will be on ESPN. If they actually play this game I'm guessing Boston will be pretty fired up. Fuck Lebron. He's good at knock-out though.


12/22/11 NYK @ BOS
In order to build up some drama for Christmas Day the C's will host the Knicks. This could work really well if it is a close game, maybe OT. Get some good vibes going for Christmas.


1/11/12 DAL @ BOS
First crack at the defending champions. Jason Kidd is a wife-beater.


1/16/12 OKC @ DAL
Sour taste in the mouth from the loss to them at home last year. Hopefully, they can get rid of that. Fuck Westbrook.


2/9/12 LAL @ BOS
First showdown with the Lakeshow and Kobe and that candy-eating, chubby chasing Lamar Odom.


2/12/12 CHI @ BOS
How are we getting all these teams at home? C's record might be awesome heading into trade deadline. Also, fuck Derrick Rose. Let him shoot. (Sorry, K)


2/16/12 BOS @ CHI
I like it. Close game could be fresh in their minds. Should be good action. Joakim Noah is ugly.


3/4/12 BOS @ NYK
C's visit the Garden on ABC. Fuck Spike Lee. He's a clown.


3/11/12 BOS @ LAL
Only trip to LA, also on ABC. Mike Brown. HAHAHAHA


3/25/12 BOS @ SA
C's visit the Alamo on ESPN. Fuck Tony Parker. He cheated on a dime piece.


4/5/12 BOS @ CHI
This one could be huge for EC seeding. Fuck Carlos Boozer.


Close the season with Philly, New Jersey, Washington, Charlotte, New York and Orlando - in that order. That could be huge for seeding.

My prediction is that the NBA schedule will probably start some time around December or January. I really don't think they want to miss the All-Star Game which will be in Orlando this year. That's a big weekend for the NBA and if you're gonna have that you'll have to start at least a month or two before hand. It'd be great if they've resolved everything by Christmas so we can get those games on Christmas Day.
No word yet on how the schedule would actually play out if they miss games. My guess is it would be altered to fit in an even amount of conference and division games for every team. But I'm not sure. The NBA is coming off an epic season, so I really hope they get it together.

NBA Finals Game 7 Preview

Tonight's Game 7 between the Celtics and Lakers is the second-biggest Game 7 of my life and if you're in your 20s, I'm sure you feel the same way. Game 7 of the 2004 Red Sox-Yankees ALCS was a defining moment but beyond that, I don't remember this much drama revolving around the other Game 7's we've witnessed of late. Here were my thoughts going into each of these recent Game 7s.

-Game 7 of the 2007 ALCS between the Sox and Indians. That fraud Indians team was dead in the water at that point and no one really thought the Sox would lose Game 7 at Fenway.

-Game 7 of the Hawks-Celtics series in 2008. Same story but even worse for the Hawks as they quit after the opening tip.

-Game 7 of the Cavs-Celtics in 2008. This was graduation night at URI for me and instead of hanging out with my family at the party they threw for me, I watched what ended up being a great game. There was a lot on the line in this game but it was nothing close to tonight.

-Game 7 of the Sox-Rays in 2008. Coming off two titles in 4 years, the Sox' best pitcher (Beckett) and power hitter (Ortiz) hurting combined with a young core that will be back in 2009, I know my heart wasn't pumping at 9 a.m. that morning like it did today.

-Game 7 of the Bulls-Celtics in 2009. We knew the Celtics weren't in position to make a deep playoff run without Kevin Garnett but we also hated Joakim Noah so it wasn't meaningless, either.

-Game 7 of the Magic-Celtics . The Celtics had a 3-2 lead but a series win was gravy with Garnett hurt. Eff you, Hedo Turkoglu.

This isn't the first time we're preparing for a do-or-die game but the circumstances surrounding it and the effects of the outcome weigh heavier than anything since '04. The Celtics players are certainly aware of the fact that the Pistons of the 1980s are held in much higher regard than the Washington Bullets in 1978 or the 1983 76ers. Being able to win multiple titles with the same group is special and that's what Boston has on the line tonight: being compared to the Pistons from 2004 or the Celtics from the mid-1970s.

It's hard to believe this will be the last run for the Celtics team that Danny Ainge constructed during the summer of 2007 but that was the deal with the devil that he brokered. There was only a 3-year window. Times up. The Celtics will make one last stand and win this game. I can assure you of that.

Nostalgia aside, this game will come down to how well the Celtics pass the ball and improve their shooting. I don't feel as though the Lakers were play a great brand of defense that was limiting the Celtics. Game 6 was lost due to Celtics missed shots that created fast-break points for the Lakers. Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett will all be immense tonight. Pierce drops 30 points and will be MVP.

NBA Finals Game 6 Preview

The Celtics are in the same position that they were in 2 years ago with a 3-2 series lead. The difference is that it took those 5 games for the starters to play in unison. With Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett leading the way, Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen stepped up to finally get the Celtics a win away from Banner 18.

When the Celtics have Pierce shooting elbow jumpers and KG active in the post, they are tough to beat. Look for Rondo to turn the ball over less and to create more in the paint.

I'm extremely interested to see Kobe Bryant's demeanor tonight. He's almost in a no-win position in that if he shoots too much, the Lakers aren't doing enough around him and if he defers too often, it's 2006 Phoenix Game 7 all over again. He can't shoot the ball much better than the other night and the Celtics have made it clear that they will not allow him into the paint. That combined with the thought that it's hard to imagine Ron Artest or Lamar "I'm Sick!" Odom suddenly producing against the Boston defense makes this Laker offense easy to figure out for the Celtics.

The key tonight will be Kendrick Perkins continuing to play straight-up defense on Pau Gasol. Without Gasol's inside scoring (drawing fouls) and rebounding, Los Angeles is one-dimensional.

I also expect the bench to provide more support tonight for the Celtics than Game 5. Glen Davis will have a big impact on tonight's game.

The Celtics will win their 18th championship tonight because the Lakers have given us no reason to side with them over the past 2 games. Celtics 95-Lakers 90.

Thanks for the kind words on Christmas, Sasha

Merry Christmas!

It's funny how even the most emotion-filled of quotes can have more meaning than initially intended. All I've heard from Sasha Vujacic is how much he hates the Celtics and he refuses to wear green. On the other side of the spectrum, Kobe Bryant talks about how the Lakers need to improve and learn from last year.

Kobe has won 3 rings and has proven he is a mentally tough player. I personally don't like him but there's not much I can pick on basketball-wise. The problem for L.A. is he's the only player who scares me. The rest of the players are soft and Vujacic's recent comments only lend credence to the perception that last year's Finals scarred the Lakers.

If I'm Phil Jackson, I tell Vujacic to shut his mouth. If he has enough time on his hands to explain his contempt for the color green, surely he can watch tape of Ray Allen blowing past him twice to seal the Celtics' 24-point comeback win in Game 4 of the Finals. In telling us his real feelings on the events of last summer, he's letting the Celtics know they are indeed in his and his teammate's heads.

Alright, enough Sasha Vujacic talk. Let's talk about today's Celtics-Lakers game. Let me start with this. Since the "Big Three" as we currently know it came into existence, when was the last time this team has had a letdown in a game like this? Other than getting blown out of the Garden by the Jazz last year and losing on a pair of Chauncey Billups free-throws last year the Celtics have shown up for these contests.

All of the "upstart" teams such as the Rockets, Jazz, Trailblazers, or Magic as well as the normal stalwarts like the Spurs, Suns, Pistons, Mavericks, Cavs and of course the Lakers have fallen to the Celtics in prime time games. Kevin Garnett and the Celtics' smothering defense simply refuses to suffer a defeat in an important game. You'll never hear it from the players but these really are statement games. Playing on the company line from the Patriots a few years ago, the word respect is on the minds of these players.

"If the Lakers had Andrew Bynum in the Finals, they would've won with ease"

I'm sorry, but no chance. He's back and that soft defense hasn't suddenly gotten tougher. After watching him against the Heat recently, he hasn't proven he can handle pick-and-rolls and still gets called for dumb fouls. Kendrick Perkins will reduce him to a spectator. Watch.

The Celtics will show the whole country how and why they are a better team than a year ago. There are still experts picking the Lakers to win the championship, which is fine. Hopefully they'll get a glimpse into what we see nightly the Mecca of the Hoops Universe known as the Garden when Rajon Rondo blows by Derek Fisher (no, Jordan Farmar wouldn't have made a difference) time after time or Kevin Garnett swats a Pau Gasol hook into the stands.

I'm looking forward to hearing what you have to say after the game, Sasha.

Celtics Vs Lakers Preview

And to give this preview I will hand this to The Answer:
I wont steal the official game preview from the man who usually does it. But I wanted to give my own prediction on this game as a rant. Tomorrow the moment every basketball fan has been anticipating from the final buzzer of game 6 of the NBA finals. Lakers vs the Celtics. A match-up of the NBA juggernauts. Some things have changed since last season's meeting in the NBA finals. In the finals last year the Lakers were without Andrew Bynum and this year the Celtics have lost the ever so valuable James Posey (fucking trader) Most NBA analyst at the begriming of the season, and even now will say advantage Lakers. But to everyone's surprise, with the loss of James Posey, the Celtics actually became better. Why? How? These are questions that basketball fans around the world are asking. There two reason. One is the ghost of James Posey. Since Danny Ainge decided not to replace are ever so valuable 6th man, that was a silent message to his world champions, and his coach. "Pick up the slack" The Celtics wear the crown better than any world championship team I've seen in any sport in a while and maybe ever. There is no doubt that James Posey contributed irreplaceable play on the court. How can we make up for this one man, who can score, is clutch, and defend guys like Kobe Bryant and Lebron James. I tip my hat to Eddie House, Leon Powe, and Tony Allen, who have all contributed to making his absence a forgotten tale. I like that Doc didn't rely on just one man to do this. The entire team stepped up. Everyone including the starters are playing better. If James Posey were here now I don't think things would be much different. Maybe even a little worse. Guys wouldn't be looking in the mirror saying "okay we need to step it up." The loss of James Posey may be a blessing in disgiuse. Now for the number two reason and what I like to call the x-factor. First let me start with the pre-amble to this point. How do we beat Boston? We need a rotating double team on Pierce, Allen, and Garnett. Don't worry about Rondo, he can't score. This was last years tatic on the unbeatable team. Not this year. In fact it's just the opposite. Which brings us to the number two reason why the Celtics are even better this year. Rajon Rondo. His play has been nothing short of an All-Star. He passes, he makes plays, he steals the ball, and now to add to his world of talents, he can just flat out score. Not only can he score, but he is a threat that can no longer be ignored. This is the key to beating the Lakers. I feel that Bynum will get the best of Perkins, Gasol and Garnett will go at it but Garnett will come out with the edge. Paul Pierce and Ray Allen will switch off guarding Kobe, but lets face the facts, Kobe is going to drop 20 or more. That's what he does. But the likes of Pierce and Allen will match and surpass his scoring and make it a wash. The bench play from both teams should be even. But the match-up that is the key to this game is Derek Fisher and Rajon Rondo. It really isn't a match. Derek Fisher's age will show on X-mas day. Rondo is two fast, too young, and just too good for him. I think this game will be a battle. Maybe the toughest of the season for the Green Machine. But Rodno's stat line will read 21 points, 8 assisit, 6 boards, 2 steals and that will be an unanswered weapon. Celtics will win and it will be a battle right up until the mid way through the fourth quarter. Lakers will quit. Celtics are champs and the reason is because they don't quit. Ever. It will be close, but the Celtics will win by 10. 101 to 91. Merry Christmas Kobe Bryant, here's your gift, the new and improved Rajon Rondo who will terrorize this game. Beat LA Beat LA Beat LA, and as I like to say Fuck LA!


DP's thoughts:

Celtics are the greatest team in the history of the NBA and will beat the soft Lakers easily.

Celtics 120-89
Tommy Award: The Truth Paul Pierce

131 Celtics, 92 Lakers

O.K. I just woke up, I was watching Celtics highlights the whole night. I was terrified before the game and expected Kobe to go off and it to be a close game, however, I did not expect a 39 point victory. The Celtics were phenomenal on both ends of the court and really made the Lakers look like the bad team they are. Everyone on the team did well, everyone from Paul Pierce to Big Baby. I still will be celebrating for weeks to come.

First we will start with Ray Allen
Not only did he come into this game with no sleep, he had a sick son to worry about. So what did Ray Ray do? He set a championship record of 7 3 pointers and 26 points, while getting poked in the eye, early second quarter. I have never been more impressed with someone as I have been with Ray Allen and his defense. I don't know who a guy who played little defense until this year was able to do a great job on Kobe Bryant for an entire season.

Kevin Garnett
This guy changed the whole attitude for the Celtics, he along with Tom Thibideau made this team a very tough defensive orientated team. Kevin was doing a mediocre job these finals, and a terrible game 5, but last night he brought this team to a new level, he scored 26 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists for his final game in this championship. To quote Kevin Garnett "EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE!"


Paul Pierce
Paul Pierce has made it a long way. He went from being a selfish, offensive orientated teammate, even I wanted to trade him for Kareem Rush and a draft pick, to a premier player who outshined Kobe Bryant in the finals, and won the finals MVP. Pierce started this series by being carried off the court to cementing his career as a hall of famer, and one day his number will be raised in the rafters. Pierce finished the game with 17 points and 10 assists, and his guts this finals were amazing.

Rajon Rondo
Everybody and their mother was ready to throw this guy away and wanted to start Eddie House. (yea I am talking to you Barstool) but this guy just bitch slapped all of you, he finished with 21 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, and 6 steals. He was asked to be more aggressive and that is exactly what he did, he shot it 20 times and made defenders pay attention to him. He felt people calling for Eddie House who did great, but he silenced all his critics.

James Posey
What more can I say about this guy. He is a big reason the Celtics won, he is by far the coolest guy on the Celtics (total mancrush), but best defensive player, and can hit some clutch shots if need be. Posey these play-offs has had to guard Joe Johnson/ Josh Smith, Lebron James, Rasheed Wallace/ Rip Hamilton and Kobe Bryant/ Lamar Odom. That is why I give him the nick name MVPosey.

Doc Rivers
This guy deserves every bit of credit as anyone. He went from a 24 win team to a 66 win team who just won the championships. He badly out-coached Phil Jackson all series and was the guy who kept the team believing they were a better team and can win. There were Fire Doc chants last year, I say lock this guy up for 4 more years.

Congrats Celtics

We are going for 18 next year

131 Celtics- 92 Lakers

Fuck Yea.

I'm crying

more tomorrow

I wonder if the Bruins are embarrassed?

Celtics vs Lakers

When the Doc says it's a wrap it's a wrap.

I am not going to go out there and say I am extremely confident that the Celtics will beat the Lakers tonight. Actually I am damn near scared as hell of this game. The Celtics had two opportunities in this series to win game 3 and game 5 and they were not able to close the door. I do not want to leave the door open for a game 7 and I want it to end it tonight.

Perkins doesn't look healthy, but looks good enough to play, Pierce is a warrior, Rajon hopefully is able to get his shit together and play like he knows he can, Hopefully Ray Allens son Walker is OK and will be able to stay focused, and hopefully KG realizes he has been kind of looking pathetic and get it together tonight. I have had a couple of friends call me and say that they are smelling a blow out tonight, and I hope to God they are right. I can not deal with another game, let alone a game 7. This team needs to feed of the home courts emotion and just do it. We know the weaknesses of the Lakers and we know how to beat them.
1)Defense
2)Pick and Roll
3)Rebound
4)Be Physical
The Celtics are a better team, and normally better teams win these kind of games.
Tommy Award: Rondo
With that being said

GO CELTICS and BEAT LA

Lakers 103, Celtics 98

The Celtics came close to finishing off the Lakers last night, but wound up on the wrong side of a 103 to 98 score. Once again, the Lakers pulled ahead early, leading by 19 at one point. They then collapsed, allowing the Celtics to come back. But the C's didn't put the finishing touches on the game and LA escaped.

Kevin Garnett had a mediocre to bad 4th quarter. On defense, he was rarely physical. Then again, he was in foul trouble, so that's understandable. On offense, however, he failed to be physical for the entire game. He made Pau Gasol look like an actual big man, and not just an overgrown soccer player. KG slapped defensive rebounds to the backcourt, instead of trying to haul them in. He didn't drive. He didn't get to the free throw line until the 4th quarter. And then he shot 1 of 4, which was back breaking.



I'm not going to pull a Phil Jackson and blame the officials for this loss. The Celtics did enough to lose it on their own. But the refs deserve free drinks in LA for at least a month.

With 0:48 on the clock in the 4th, and a 97-95 Laker lead, Paul Pierce pulled down a defensive rebound. He appeared to get mugged by three different Lakers as he corralled the ball. But he got out with the ball and brings it up the court. Then Kobe Bryant reaches around and hits Paul Pierce's side. KOBE NEVER TOUCHED THE BALL. It pops free, the Lakers get it, find Kobe running up the court, and he dunks to make it a 99-95 lead with 0:37 on the clock.



So instead of Paul Pierce going to the line with a chance to tie it, the Lakers get a 4 point lead. I'm not accusing the refs of bias, it was just a standard case of officials refusing to call fouls/penalties late in games. I guess by allowing rules to be broken late in a game, the officials avoid affecting the outcome. Flawless logic.

Anyway, the Celtics and Lakers come back home for some more fun. Hopefully KG will get his act together, because Pierce, Allen, and the bench are doing everything right. Game 6 Tuesday night.

And Jack Nicholson, get a life. You may be one of the coolest dudes on the planet, but any mystique you have evaporates when you yell at the refs like a 12 year old.



-The Commodore

Celtics vs Lakers

Nothing would make me more happier than to beat the Lakers tonight. After losing the 24 point lead you have to wonder if the Lakers will be able to recover from that, I don't think they will and when you have a team on the ropes you need to finish them. If not for a shitty game 3 this series could have been locked up already. There are some huge questions going into tonights game: Is Doc going to go with Rondo? Is Perk going to be able to play? Are the Celtics going to small all game?

I believe you have to go with Rondo here, he got you here as the starting point guard and you should finish with him, if he proves to be ineffective then move to Eddie House. If Perk is healthy don't be cute with an early substitution, keep him in.

Anyways, I think the Celtics will wrap it up tonight.

Tommy Award winner: Rondo

Nice Vintage T-Shirt

I found a picture of this shirt on HubArts.com. It's from the mid 1980s and is awesome.

-The Commodore

97 Celtics, 91 Lakers

Well fuck me sideways and call me Sally. Holy Shit, I don't believe what I just saw, that game was so ridiculous I needed a nights sleep to get normal. I was ready to cut myself as the Celtics were down by 24 in the first half, I mean they couldn't play offense or defense. They were letting up points at will KG sucked, Pierce sucked, Rondo sucked, everyone sucked and it seemed like Lamar Odom finally got the message and was 7-7 from the field and had 15 points at the half.
But then.....
Something happened and it was the most amazing thing I have ever seen. The Celtics came back and was absolutely amazing. Ray Allen (my championship MVP so far) had 19 Points, Paul Pierce who had 20, Eddie House who scored 11 points, and James Posey who scored 18 timely points. The went on a 21-3 run to finish up the third and the rest is history.

KG again sucked in the first half, but like almost everyone pulled it together and finished with yet another double-double with 16 points, 11 rebounds, and 7-14 shooting. Again as defense goes KG played stunning defense as Pau Gasol disappeared in the second half(17 and 10).

Paul Pierce also waited to the second half to do anything, I believe he only scored 5 in the first half and 15 in the second which is pretty amazing. But his scoring will be over shadowed by the best defense he played in his career on Kobe Bryant, he often was left on Kobe alone and Pierce the bigger more physical player was able to blanket Kobe and keep him from really having an impact on this game.

As for Ray Allen, I have already said he is my championship MVP this series and his early play-off shooting woes is completely forgotten. Even though 24 points doesn't seem like a reasonable amount, if not for his shooting we would have been down by 30. The most questioned, and over-looked member of the big three did not leave the court all game, thats right, he played 48 minutes, as he ran the offense and played stellar defense.
Eddie House's 11 points were the biggest of his career. With Rondo not looking 100% or just completely ineffective Eddie who's minutes have fluctuated all play-offs was able to shake off some DNP's and run the Celtics offense. Last night we saw the glaring difference between an Eddie House run team and a Rondo run team. When Eddie runs an offense it is your token half court offense that opens things up for KG in the middle and gives him an easier time kicking it out to an open jump shooter. When Rondo runs an offense it is more up tempo and more reliant on dribble penetration. This Lakers seem to not be able to defend the Eddie ran offense, so I say go with it Doc.

This was Kobe all second half. Kobe had another horrible shooting game going 6-19 getting 17 points but dishing out 10 assists. Kobe only had 6 points at the half. The Celtics coaches made sure the ball was taken out of his hands and that is exactly what happened in the second half. Kobe seemed absolutely defeated after this game basically saying the only way to forget about this game is to get drunk and complain tonight but then get back to work tomorrow.
Like I said earlier Lamar Odom was on record pace, as he finished the half with 15 points, then as he has done all series disappeared in the second half as he finished with 19 points. He was so bad in the second half Phil Jackson took him out for Vlad Rad to finish out the game. James Posey was put on him defensively and was able to shut him down.

As for this man, he was the MVP of the game and acted like a seasoned veteran when he hit the most timely three's I have ever seen in my life. Posey finished with 18 points and 4-8 from behind the line, and played stellar defense on Odom, Kobe and whoever they threw at him.

On a side note:
Doc Rivers has blatantly out coached the zen master Phil Jackson. He seems to countered every move Phil has done, if he goes small, Doc goes small, if he found a way to shut down Rondo he brought Eddie House in, who is the exact opposite of Rondo.
The Lakers only scored 33 points in the second half.
Here is a Lakers fan:

Also, with the 3-1 lead on the series the worst that can happen is Lakers have to win 2 in boston now.

Well Done Celtics

Celtics vs Lakers

Celtics:
Ok, here we go. KG knows he has to be more aggressive to the hoop, Paul Pierce will come back with a vengeance scoring and good D, Rondo looks good enough to play so the C's don't have to worry about the vaunted full court pressure by Farmar and Vag-i-chick, Ray Allen looks like Jesus Shuttlesworth, Perk is chilling.

Lakers:
Lamar Odom is back to his line blowing days, Pau Gasol is still going to play like a pussy, Derek Fisher has been MIA, Sasha Vag-i-chick will continue to shoot but he will not have a game like last, as for Kobe, I hope he has the exact same game as he did last time, I will take that all day.

Without me trying to sound to much like a homer, the Celtics are a better team from their starters to last man on the bench. Last game was a blown opportunity, but I feel that was the best the Lakers could possibly play, and that was worse the Celtics could have played and they only lost by 6 points. Let Kobe do what he needs to do, you can see his lack of confidence in his teammates with his ONE assist last game, and I like that Kobe Bryant.

Not only do I believe the Celtics will win I believe they will win 103-87.

Tommy Award: Rondo

Celtics vs Lakers

Again the Celtics have the formula to beat the Lakers and that is rebound, defense and drive. That is exactly what is going to happen. The Lakers were too busy complaining about free throws even though the Celtics got 7 more personal fouls for them, then too work on their defense. Toughness can't be learned over night and Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom won't be able to change their whole games in 2 nights. If Garnett can hit some shots and still rebound like crazy we can easily take this one. Lakers fans are queer, the Lakers are queers, this one is in the bag.

RADMANOVIC Walks it out

I'm not complaining about the officiating, because last night I agreed with most of the calls, but how do you miss this one?

108 Celtics, 102 Lakers

For the time being, I will dismiss the 4th quarter as something that will not happen again. In my eyes this was more of a route than a blown lead for the Celtics. If anything, this gives Doc Rivers more to talk about going into LA. The Celtics were doing a superb job on the defensive end for most of the game, and hopefully that will keep up going into LA.


No need to say "he's back" because he has been solid on both ends of the court for the past 4 games. Ray had 17 points (3-6 beyond the arc) and again stayed aggressive going to the basket along with laying stifling defense at times which Ray is not known for.
Rondo keeps impressing, going assist crazy last night with 16 assists, 6 rebounds, and 4 points. Although he did miss 4 out of 6 free throws, and you can see how hesitant he is when it comes to shooting a jumper, if he keeps attacking the basket it will not be that big of an issue. Again, he played great defense on Fisher holding him to 9 points, along with that huge block on 6-10 Vlad Rad. If he continues playing like this, I like our odds.
KG had another bad game shooting but still finished with 17 points, and 14 rebounds however, he did go 7-19 shooting. I will not care if he continues to shoot poorly if he continues to be aggressive and grabbing a ton of boards. I would like to see Garnett taking it low, but thats not the type of player he is, and if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Nothing is better than to see Leon Powe do well, and last night he was the reason we won last night. He has had a weird play-offs with his minutes fluctuating and getting a lot of DNPs, but last night he was ready and eager for the call and scored 21 points and went to the line 13 times. He got a lot of Lakers in foul trouble including Lamar Odom and Kobe Bryant, and played tough and took it to the basket almost every time he touched the ball. With Garnett shooting jumpers and Perk being Perk, we need a low post presence and last night, Leon was the man.
The Captain came through again scoring 28 points, and 8 assists including the game sealing free-throws. He has really put this team on his back and picked up the pace offensively and has done a great job defensively on Kobe.

Kobe had 30 points and 8 assists but only shot 11-23. Kobe seemed frustrated a lot, and even got a technical for the lack of calls he was getting. The Celtics have done an unbelievable job defending him and keeping him out of the paint. Kobe is a scary player to watch and it will be that harder to stop him going into LA.


I don't know whats wrong with Pau Gasol. He was absolutely scoring at will in the first half where i think he had only 15 points, and he only finished with 17. I knew this guy was soft, but he completely disappeared in the second half. I the Lakers want to win a game they need him to post up for the whole game.

108 Celtics, 102 Lakers

A win is a win is a win


Box Score

More Tomorrow

Hard Word Leon Powe

Celtics vs Lakers

Tonight is an extremely important game in the series, due to it being the 2-3-2 format. I would love going into LA being up 2-0 and I believe that will happen. Hopefully the defensive intensity keeps up and they keep Kobe out of the lane and off the free-throw line (6 attempts last game).
The big question is whether or not Pierce's knee can hold up, in an emotional game 1 he got carried off the court, then came back to score 19 points. Pierce will be a part time defender on Kobe w/Ray, Posey and Rajon, and hopefully the knee doesn't hinder him on the defensive end too much.
Another question is if Perk will be able to play a lot of minutes. We need his big body to clog up the lanes and bully around Gasol/ Odom. If he is healthy, I like the Celtics odds a lot better.
KG played well, but if we are to win this game he needs to shoot better. I don't think we will be able to keep Kobe down long, and nine straight misses can't happen.
The Celtics have the formula to beat the Lakers (rebounding and defense) all they need to do know is follow it.

Celtics 98, Lakers 88

Again Hell of a game last night, and great first game but I want to point out a couple more things.

The Rondo Question:

Rajon had 15 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds and proved he can hold his own. Derek Fisher also had 15 points but only shot 4-9 on 41 minutes, however, Rajon did a hell of a job on Fisher and oftem he was caught in switch situation and had to guard Kobe and did a great job there too. He looked very cool under pressure and you can tell this kid has all the confidence in the world, his dribble penetration although looked wild was highly affective.

Ray Allen:

Ray Allen did an amazing job both on offense and defense. 19 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists which means he still is on fire, but I want to talk about his defense, he was on Kobe for a lot of game, holding him to 9-26 shooting which is amazing. He seemed very fresh and not only was he hitting 3's, but he is also doing a great job on dribble penetration.

KG:

Kevin Garnett came out really hot in the first half and if not for him we would have been down by a lot more than 5 points. However, he had a terrible second and at one point missed 9 straight shots. I will not go after him at all because if it was up to me, I would have KG take every shot. On the defensive end KG did an outstanding job holding Gasol/ Odom to a combined 29 points, while scoring 24 himself. Also, he was able to grab 13 rebounds which is another reason the Celtics did so well.

Paul Pierce:

What more can you say? He pulled down another legendary game, the Truth only scored 3 points in the first half, but in the second half didn't miss a shot and scored 19 points. The scariest moment was when pierce went down with an apparent knee injury, and had to get carried off the court by Scal and Tony Allen. The moment of the game is when he came back and hit back to back 3's, and once that happened, you knew the Lakers were done. His performance was one of the gutsiest I have have ever witnessed in my life.

Bench:

Only had 17 points, 8 from Cassell and 6 big rebounds from PJ Brown. Cassell and Brown made most of their minutes, and when Sam was in he absolutely terrorized Fisher and was highly affective, as for PJ Brown he only had 2 points he was huge on the glass including one offensive rebound that seemed to have fallen into his lap in between two defenders.

Lakers:

As for LA. Kobe had 24 points on 9-26 shooting, and all game he was unable to penetrate because the Celtics did a great job clogging the middle, Also Kobe was scoreless for the last 11 minutes. Gasol and Odom were pretty useless when in, both play extremely soft for their size.

Half way through the game they dropped this commercial:


Goosebumps

Box Score