NBA Discussion - The Stretch Run

[Scout101]

what the hell happened the other night? I was playing cards with some friends, and turned on the game for a few minutes in the 2nd quarter. Celtics were getting an ass-reaming, so we shut it back off and went back to cards. Turned it back on with about 2 minutes left, and had a serious WTF moment when we saw the Celtics up by 3 or so. Were the Celtics on fire, or did the Lakers actually leave the floor for a while and let the Celtics play by themselves?

This series is over, there's no way the Lakers come back from this, no way they win Game 5 AND win two in a row in Boston. And if they can't hold a 24 point lead, they might save themselves a flight and just lose tonight in LA...

TitleTown, baby!

 

[Jack Bauer]

Jeez...how many double digits leads are the Lakers trying to give away tonight? Sure they won tonight but it was fugly. No way they're gonna win Tuesday in Boston.

 

[Tim]

Jeez...how many double digits leads are the Lakers trying to give away tonight? Sure they won tonight but it was fugly. No way they're gonna win Tuesday in Boston.

Yeah, both teams were pretty sloppy. The Lakers were just lucky that the Cs got sloppy in the 4th.

Hopefully the Cs can clean up in Beantown on Tuesday.

Beat L.A.!

 

[Borgminister]

I didn't like Gasol's comments--No champagne on our floor. Like they played the best game they could to avoid losing on home court, but next game? Eh.

Liked that Garnett called his game "garbage" and Pierce called Kobe's mugging a "steal"--class.

 

[1001001]

Pierce called Kobe's mugging a "steal"--class.

That was a beautiful defensive play. No way that was a foul.

As for the rest, nothing we saw during the games in Los Angeles would make me think the Lakers can win one (let alone two) in Boston.

Damn!

 

[Alidar Jarok]

I think Kobe took a risk with that steal, but I don't think it was a foul (certainly not in the NBA Finals).

I personally don't think the Lakers have a shot of winning another game (and certainly not two), though.

 

[Daedalus12]

I like Laker's chance of taking game 6. Every game in this series has been close down the stretch. I just feel it's time for the Lakers to nick one at Boston.

 

[gblews]

I didn't like Gasol's comments--No champagne on our floor. Like they played the best game they could to avoid losing on home court, but next game? Eh.

What would you have had them do, lay down because they're hopelessly behind in the series? Or perhaps you would have liked some bold prediction like, "we'll win the next two or else". Its called taking it one step at a time which is all any team that has gotten themselves in this kind of predicament can do.

Liked that Garnett called his game "garbage" and Pierce called Kobe's mugging a "steal"--class.

You call that a mugging? Perhaps you should watch the games more closely.

 

[Borgminister]

You know, I'll give you that one. It was a reach-in, but good no-call, since he obviously dislodged the ball.

As for what I would have liked from Gasol is to say, that's one. Now we will go and get game 2. A little swagger. Toughness. Consistent toughness. He's been soft, and finally got more physical this game. It isn't about champagne on our floor, it is about playing that way the rest of the way and vowing to do so.

If Gasol and Odom play together like they are capable--consistent and physical--the series might must not be over. I just didn't get that forward-looking focus, just the "not in our house".

 

[GeorgeKirk]

7:46 left in the 3rd and it's 70-46 Celtics. The Lakers are just mailing it in. It'll be nice to see Pierce, Garnett, and Allen finally get a ring.

 

[Scout101]

utter domination. according to the announcer, the biggest asskicking in NBA Finals history. And that was before it was run up into the mid 30s... Not much doubt left about the Celtics being worthy of the championship, or having that killer instinct when needing to put a team away...

 

[Neroon]

Total demolition. And why not? Ray Allen was open so much he could hardly miss a 3-pt shot.

 

[Daedalus12]

Final margin of victory is 39. Congratulation to the Celtics but you still didn't eclipse the record margin (42 points) set by the Bulls against Jazz in 1998 finals.

This year's Celtics in the playoffs remind me of Italy in world cup. Slow starters with tough organized defense but pick up more and more steam as the tournament goes on.

 

[Niorah]

WOW! That's what I call a win!

I am so so so so so happy!

It was worth it to stay up until five in the morning to watch it.

Last I did it, Bird was still playing!

 

[Scout101]

Final margin of victory is 39. Congratulation to the Celtics but you still didn't eclipse the record margin (42 points) set by the Bulls against Jazz in 1998 finals.

The graphic at the end of the game said the Bulls' biggest margin at the end of a game was 40 that year, so they only missed the biggest win of Finals history by one point. Stupid Laker that took a 3-pointer right at the end, they had a 42 point lead with a minute left

 

[Tom Servo]

WIN! GO CELTICS!! WOOT!!

 

[Daedalus12]

Final margin of victory is 39. Congratulation to the Celtics but you still didn't eclipse the record margin (42 points) set by the Bulls against Jazz in 1998 finals.

The graphic at the end of the game said the Bulls' biggest margin at the end of a game was 40 that year, so they only missed the biggest win of Finals history by one point. Stupid Laker that took a 3-pointer right at the end, they had a 42 point lead with a minute left

No it was definitely 42 points. Still well done Boston.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199806070CHI.html

 

[Scout101]

eh, they fucked up the graphic, then...

 

[Calhoun24]

That was one hell of a game. Talk about imposing their will on the opponent. That was...unreal.

Congrats to the Celtics. They deserve it!

 

[Borgminister]

Garnett, Pierce and Allen are "young" enough with improvement by Rondo, Perkins, Big Baby and others to repeat. I predict a Spurs-Celtics matchup next year, because I just dont' think Bynum will be the Lakers' savior, and Kobe can't really adjust to being only a facilitator, not a dominator.