right around his average :D

Ah come on, no one seriously expected a different result. Yeah, one could hope but in the end you have a team without a single consistent scorer on the perimeter, a 6´6 Center, a 6 foot scoring "Point Guard" and Ron Artest.

Doesn't make sense to bring Kobe back into a blowout win.

Wait a sec:


Okay. What am I missing?

The 2003 Lakers weren't best. The Kings were a better team and showed it in that series. Without the infamous game 6, they win that series in 6 games and cruise into the Finals.

There are some others you can argue about. I think the Jazz were better in 1998 and the Mavs were better in 2006.

Damnit Perkins, you are not Rondo. Just take the ball up.

Howard is playing incredible early. Love watching him play when he is playing like this.

Scalabrine has to shoot those three's when he is wide open.

Wow, the Celtics are playing like shit.

*barfs on the celtics*

looks like maybe i'll get my wish of them losing here instead of going on to be the mercy-kill for Lebron and the Cavs. I said earlier I'd almost rather have them duck out here then get massacred by the Cavs and have the Cavs crowing about how "we beat last year's champs...wah wah wah...last year was a fluke" etc.

Much less irritating losing to orlando cuz we're undermanned

And still only down 6. This has been the theme of the series.

Also, Dwight Howard should have about 5 fouls already.

Wait so you're actually rooting against your team in a game seven?

i wouldn't say ROOTING AGAINST THEM. I'd say I'm just closer to "ambivalent."

to be honest i'm not even watching - i'm sitting here doing all this computer-junk at least till the last 1gb transfers over

It's about fucking time, Ray!

if the celtics play like they generally did in the 1st half in the next 24 minutes, it's over.

I didn't think Celtics fans would just stop caring about their team with KG out. Sure they'll probably lose next series without KG but you should still want your team to win a big playoff series.

I certainly haven't given up. It would be a great accomplishment to make the conference finals without our best player, even if we ended up getting swept.

Absolutely agree.

I'm not sure how you can say that 1st post isn't rooting against them. Honestly, I don't think Cavs' fans would diminish last year's team at all even if they sweep the Celticss. Both teams have different players this year. This year's Cavs might have have beat last year's Celtics, but that certainly won't be proven by this series if the Celtics somehow comeback in the 2nd half.

This cracks me up. This is the same guy who declares game over if the Packers give up 10 unanswered points in the first quarter of an NFL football game.

Doesn't mean I stopped wanting them to win. Just a typical fan rant that everyone goes through when things go wrong in a big game. I always want my teams to win.

and I want my team to play as long as possible. I do not want my season to be over.

Dola: *sighs* and it looks like it WILL end tonight./

Celtics stopped playing.

Two straight games Orlando dominates the fourth quarter, what a change from the rest of the series.

You know I haven't seen KG doing much of that obnoxious walking hand on palm shit tonight.

Props to Patrick Ewing who correctly predicted tonight's triumph.

Hide the women and children!

I am happy for Stan Van Gundy (who looks a lot like Ron Jeremy and Super Mario) I think Pat Riley shafted him out of a title in Miami. Should be a great series between Cleveland and Orlando.

Or we can play conspiracy theorist and assume that the league wants the Lakers out of the playoffs and thus Crawford is the only ref who has been reffing accordingly/


Great. So Crawford was the ref in two Laker home games. If the league wanted the Lakers to win that badly, wouldn't it make more sense for him to be reffing road games?


It's like he's an NBA ref!


Because the league (and the Lakers) didn't want to see 7 games, right?


I'm surprised the league let this series go further then 4 games myself...


Because, based on the previous examples, the league suddenly wants to prolong series? Why not enter Joey Crawford in game 2?

Seriously...

Z has to get Dwight out of the lane. I'm worried about Orlando's 3 point shooting. But I think the Cavs take this series in 6.

MrBug708 - You can try and deny that there is any conspiracy and you may be right. But the statistics and trends are extremely suspicious. As I stated many pages back, Crawford ALWAYS works a game where a home team needs a win. Go back through all the playoffs and look at the big markets and you'll see this trend. I told you he'd work those games and he did. Considering he's part of one of the poorer officiating crews in the league, it's odd he's always put in place during such important games. Crawford is well known for calling games in favor of the home team (you can look at his record ATS over the years). So I guess I'm just wondering how it happens that this official seems to get into the most important games when a big market home team needs a win at home.

Now lets take the Danny Crawford example. The Mavs are 1-15 in playoff games he's officiated since 2001. The Mavs are 52-35 in those other games when he is not officiating. Given all things equal, the odds that Danny Crawford would have officiated the Mavs going 1-15 during their playoff run is about 1 in 100,000. A rather remarkable number and well past the level of "just a coincidence".

Since there is decent enough data on the Lakers numbers, the odds that Joey Crawford would have worked games that they went 7-1 are about 6%. Not as ridiculous as the above numbers, but still an interesting anamolly.

Now normally you could just chalk it up to coincidences and extreme deviations (although the Danny Crawford example is just about impossible to replicate again). But the odd thing is that we never see these numbers go against major markets. You'd be hard pressed to find officials that have numbers like Danny Crawford against teams like Boston or Los Angeles.

Those are statistics, take it as you want. I've been a huge fan of the NBA for years and seen more games than I could even begin to count (both live and on TV). I've been a season ticket holder for years and consider myself someone knowledgeable in the sport. I'm not sold on the huge conspiracy that games are downright fixed, but it's rather clear to me that there is something fishy going on (and has been for decades). I honestly believe there are officials that are assigned to games because it's in the best interest of the NBA (for example Joey Crawford officiating home games when the big market needs a win). Each ref has trends and the NBA certainly knows it. It's why the information Donaghy was giving bookies and gamblers was so valuable. If you can provide me with the officials before a game and before the casinos can set a line based on it, I will win over 60% of the games I bet on.

It could be a lot of things. It could be a wink and a nod between the NBA and some officials to do what's in the best interest of the league. It could be highly incompetent officials being assigned to games because the NBA is really stupid or feels they benefit from it in some way. It could also be that we have a lot of rogue officials who are Tim Donaghys. To act like fixing games is a taboo topic is somewhat silly considering we already have an official in jail for betting on games he officiated and altering those games and potentially seasons (he did ref a lot of playoff games).

Now I still love the game and am sad that it doesn't play out more by the players like other major sports. I've learned to accept the WWE element to the sport and in a way it adds a little more drama. But to act like there isn't a huge issue with officiating in this league is rather naive whether you believe in conspiracies or not.

Congrats to Orlando. In all honesty I am not shocked the C's lost, though I am surprised that Orlando looked like they wanted it more in 6 and 7.

Well, we did seem to be missing a really big piece in the middle and at least a big cap number who's been gone the entire playoffs...

SI

That Crawford thing is a little fishy can someone send it to ESPN? I would love to see another referee scandal in the NBA.

Bill Simmons has got your back on this one.

This NBA/WWE Pepsi arena dispute is pretty entertaining. The Nuggets are set to play at home Monday night, but the WWE has booked the venue for months, has sold more than 10,000 tickets, and expects a sold out show

NBA, WWE grapple over Denver booking conflict - ESPN

Not surpisingly, the best quote is Vince McMahon's:

"Even though the Denver Nuggets had a strong team this year and were projected to make the playoffs, obviously Nuggets and Pepsi Center owner Stan Kroenke did not have enough faith in his own team to hold the May 25th date for a potential playoff game,' WWE chairman Vince McMahon said in a statement."

I have no idea how these contracts are worded, but I would think the Nuggets are going to have to pay up. If they tape the WWE TV show (which is usually live) sometime before, the ratings are going to suffer. If they move to a smaller venue, somebody's going to have to refund those tickets, and the WWE would take a hit on merchandise sales.

I can't tell you how much I envy you. The Nuggets have been to the point the Celtics were yesterday (a game 7 in the second round) a grand total of two times in the last 28 seasons. (we lost one of the game 7's and got thrashed 4 games to 1 in the conference finals in 84/85)

Then again, maybe I don't envy you. When the Nuggets actually do have a run like they are now, it actually means something to me. Even if they were to lose 5 starters to injury in the first 2 minutes tomorrow night, I'll be watching the tv when game 4 comes around to see if the Nuggets can grab a single W. It's likely I'll never have to worry about being ambivalent about the basketball team I cheer for ever. Of course it's also NOT likely I'll ever have to worry celebrating a championship either. . . so there is that.

Winning really is the great equalizer, as is any kind of personal success or windfall that one might come into. You get numb to it. I'm not nearly the kind of intense fan I was of the Sox or Celtics or Patriots before their championships. Part of that is age, but it is a lot different when you're kind of "satisfied". I'll always root for those teams and they'll always be a part of my life but their games don't just stop everything like they used to. But still, I'll take the championships any day. It's great to have those memories.

And I don't understand, for a second, the idea floated around here and on some other websites that Celtic "fans" were almost glad the Celtics lost so they wouldn't be embarrassed by the Cavs. Huh?? What kind of "embarrassment" is a sweep by the '09 Cavs? How can advancing in a tournament EVER be a bad thing? Is the loser of the 8/9 game in the NCAA tournament happy because they aren't going to be blown out by the top seed in the next round? Or is the team that loses the championship game in some minor conference really happy since they aren't drawing a #16 seed and would face a blowout? It's fun to advance in the playoffs, and against a clear favorite, there's no possibility of disappointment, only pleasant surprise.

Orlando Denver has to be the worst case scenerio ratings wise I would think. Obviously for numbers sake the league would want the Lakers.

The Celtics managed to get 8 home playoff games. Outside of winning its probably the best case for the franchises bottom line. The Cavs have only played 4. I'm sure sweeping is great but when they have to cut a 30M luxury tax check it is gonna hurt.

I think both conference finals could go to 7 games. Lakers and Cavs are the obvious favourites, but an upset in either series wouldn't surprise me in the slightest as there are a number of difficult matchups for both teams.

If it's Lakers-Cavs, my money (and heart ;) ) would be on the Cavs.

Nice to see some noob lakers fan spaming the forum with there biased predictions. I see the Nuggets in 7 maybe 6. Lakers will not handle the hungrier Nuggetts IMHO. Cavs in 5 maybe 6. Finals hate to say it Cavs in 5 easy.

you havnt been watching the hype. Stern *wants* kobe vs Lebron

No way the league misses the chance on a Kobe-Lebron finals with both guys in their prime.

Lakers in 6 or 7
Cavs in 5

I think the Nuggets are an easier matchup than the Rockets were. Smaller, quicker line-ups have always given the Lakers under Jackson fits. I think in a sense, losing Yao helped the Rockets in this regard. They had to run and play small ball to score and the Lakers have trouble with guys like that.

I agree, Billups isn't the type of PG that give the Lakers trouble. They also don't really have anyone to keep Kobe in check. Denver will need to exploit the Lakers lack of depth inside and bank Pau around which tends to throw him off his game. I like the Nuggets and what they've done but think this is just a bad matchup for them.

Billups is the type of PG that can give anyone trouble. :)

Billups isn't a speedy jet PG like Aaron Brooks, but he's a lot more talented and a far better PG.

Dahntay Jones is going to have to be the "Kobe stopper". I don't see JR Smith being able to keep a lock on him. Could even throw Linas Kleiza at him for a different 'Matt Harpring-esque' look, or maybe Renaldo Balkman, but I think Jones is the best shot.

Billups is better than Brooks but is not the type of PG that gives the Lakers fits. Teams with quick PGs who can get in the lane have been their achilles heel all year.

It'll be a good series but I still think the league will tighten up the officiating at some point which will hurt the Nuggets physical play. Don't be surprised to see Martin and Nene in foul trouble early in the big games.

I think the Nuggets best bet is to work on shutting down everyone but Kobe. The Lakers play for shit when they just defer to Kobe every trip down the floor. Give Kobe his 35 but don't let Pau or Odom beat you.

Vince McMahon being interviewed by Jonathan Coachman (former WWE announcer and talent now working for ESPNews) regarding the Pepsi Center situation.

McMahon will get more free publicity out of this mix-up that it probably makes it worth it.

A couple of quick thoughts:

1) JR is really the only Nugget who can D up on Kobe. Melo, Kenyon, Jones and even Balkman can get him in stretches, but JR is the only one with the talent that can keep up. In the Nuggets lone win vs. the Lakers this year, it was JR Smith who was on him a majority of the game. I'll go as far as saying JR is the second biggest key to this series. ( 1st key is defensive rebounding) JR is the guy that can give the Lakers fits of the dribble. He can get to the hole at will and can create chances for his teammates when he's playing well. Or he can be a brain dead moron who can play Denver right out of a game)

2) RainMaker is dead on about Kobe. The Nuggets need to use the same strategy they applied to Dirk. Let him get his and make sure nobody else goes off. In the two games in Denver, Kobe shot a combined 21-55 this year. He went 23-37 in the two games in LA. Denver had a great chance to win the first game. It was a seven point loss that was tied heading into the fourth quarter. (sadly, we had no PG at the time and we sucked in the fourth quarter.) We won the second time at home.

The Nuggets can win a game where Kobe goes off for 45. They have no chance winning a game where Pau and Bynum combine to score 45 points unless they are going crazy from three point land.

I dont think that is accurate. Unless Kobe shoots 45 times in a game

The man knows what he is talking about.

Very sloppy game for both the Lakers and Nuggets. 13 turnovers each, and it's just the third quarter.

I like that LeBron/Kobe puppet commercial. "Why do we live together?" haha.

ARIZA WITH THE STEAL!!!

Kobe sinks two free throws... 4 point lead for the Lakers with 10 seconds left.

Wow. Billups is good.

Foot was on the line though.

Good win for the Lakers. I think this could have a big effect on the psyche of the Nuggets. They blew through the first two rounds, got into a game where they very well could have, and maybe should have won, and the Lakers still won. How they come out in Game 2 will be very important.

Aye.

Should be a great series if Game 1 is the norm.

Disagree. The Nuggets played about the perfect game tonight. Let Kobe have his and don't let anyone else go crazy. Kobe went 13-28. His teammates went a combined 24-62. (38%)

The Nuggets lost the game tonight because:

1) They missed 12 FT.
2) They had 2 horrific possessions where they didn't get it to Melo with the lead.
3) They followed those possessions with a killer turnover.

This is the exact blueprint for Denver to win games against the Lakers. Fisher hit a big, big shot. . . but that's a shot I love him taking in that situation. He's been horrible in the postseason and he's the exact guy I want taking that shot. Tonight he hit it and the Nuggets didn't follow with solid execution. Props to the Lakers, they deserved that W.

As far as the Nuggets psyche, everyone has stated this all playoffs. First it was could they win the first game at home against the Hornets. Then after the game 3 loss to the Hornets (in a very similar game to this one by the way), people questioned how their psyche would bounce back from that. They won the next game by 58 points. Then it was the Mavs and how we'd compete in Dallas with Dallas being so good at home over the previous two months. They won one and had a shot in the other one there. Before tonight it was how would they adjust to playing a healthy Lakers team loaded with talent. They answered that too.

I don't think the Nuggets go anywhere. The Lakers will probably win the series, but they'll have to fight for every game. Unlike the Lakers, the Nuggets don't take off days, they bring it every night. I'd expect game 2 to be a lot like this game.

Oh. . . and for those people who have thought Melo was overrated. . . if you aren't shut up by the performence tonight, I give up trying to explain how special of a player he is.

Great game and tough loss for the Nuggs.If JR SMITH is hurt series over. But, I think the Nuggets will come out really on fire next game plus they should have a great chance at home in the three games in Denver if they can compete and actually dominate LA at home.

Melo proved he belonged in the convo. As you said Troy, Nuggets played their perfect game nearly, but still couldnt pull it out.

Jerry West was dead on. Leron is gonna be special, but if you want someone with the ball when the game is on the line, it's Kobe.

With my Clips traditionally celebrating the draft lottery at this time of the season (come on down, Griffin...), I often end up cheering for the Lakers, mostly because Kobe is my favorite player in the league.

I root for the rest of the team more because Kobe's on it, and that's about it.

Tonight's game reinforced to me something that started creeping up on me during last year's Finals and has only continued this year: I really can't stand the rest of that godforsaken roster, even former Bruins Farmar and Ariza. It just feels like none of them have the sack and heart to step it up when needed. The Lakers won tonight because Kobe finally said, "Okay, screw y'all, I'll just do it myself." Not saying Fisher's play or occasional good plays by others aren't necessary, but when push comes to shove, everyone on the Lakers seem to fold, not play with heart, not reach that loose ball first, not box out, go soft on the boards or on D--except for Kobe. Kobe's always going nuts out there, putting in his all. He may not always make the best shot decisions, but it's undeniable he's gutting it out out there every minute, and it just kills him to see Bynum or Gasol go soft underneath, or Odom miss a two feet shot put back after making a great play to get to the ball, or Vujacic and Farmar jack up stupid three point shot after three point shot when the Lakers need to take advantage of matchups on the inside.

It's even worse living in LA, too, because at times like these, I realize I almost can't stand Lakers fans any more than I can Celtics fans. At least the Rockets series shut them up a bit.

Looking back on last year, I think I realize that just about every guy on Boston is my "type" of player. Love the heart and work ethic shown by guys like KG and Pierce and Rondo. Big Baby used to be a Laker in training with the way he came into the league, and even he now is looking more like a Celtic, a blue collar, give it your all type of player. And the Lakers just get softer and softer, frankly aided by their go easy coach.

I don't think I have ever felt a bigger divide between how I feel supportive for Kobe the player, and just can't stand his teammates.

BTW, Billups' Nuggets (as opposed to AI's Nuggets) are now much closer to a Celtic-Piston type team, and you have to hand it to Billups for instilling that in the squad with his leadership. Before this season, Martin, JR Smith, the Birdman and even Melo were much more like soft Lakers players than they were driven, blue collar types, but his example has really had an influence on them and made them what they are.

Maybe Billups shoulda been MVP.

They couldn't pull it out because of a couple of really dumb possessions. The game on the line thing is kind of funny to me. Everyone puts Wade, Kobe and Lebron in the conversation.

Here are some stats from 82games.com:

Final 5 minutes of the game, 5 point differential either way:

Points per 48 minutes:

Kobe 56.7
Bron 55.9
Melo 54.4
Wade 49.2

FG%:

Kobe 45.7%, 40% on threes
Bron 55.6%, 42.1% on threes
Melo 56.5%, 58.3% on threes
Wade 47%, 21% on threes

FTA Per 48:

Kobe 18.2
Bron 20.8
Melo 24.0
Wade 22.3

And when it comes to last second bombs, Carmelo is THE best in the NBA right now. He's hit close to 50% of his shots with the shot clock under 24 and his team tied or behind by one or two points over the last five seasons. (compared to Kobe's 29%)

Reality? When the game is on the line, you could have ANY of those four taking the shot and be in pretty good shape. The sad part about it is that three of those players get nationally hyped as dominating players and I can almost promise you a non Denver fan will be surprised looking at the stats I just posted above.

I hope you didn't put any money on that notion anywhere. I hardly follow the league at all but that didn't really surprise me at all.

Props to you Jon. I'm on may NBA boards and can tell you the vast majority of fans believe that Lebron, Wade and Kobe are on another planet compared to Melo, even if we are just talking about finishing off close games.

They must not be watching sportscenter, I'm almost certain that's where I had that general impression. Seems like every other night I see (or hear since it's just background noise for me usually) hitting something clutch at the end of a game.

LeBron is at it. I just turned the game on randomly and well...the Cavs are proving they're on a mission.

Mo Williams!

It's just not in the cards Orlando.

Sorry :(.

So anyone think Lebron has a chance to win more titles than MJ when it is all said and done? (yes I know it's early, but that's the point)

Down here on sports talk, it's always been said that Melo is clutch player, moreso then Lebron, so I'm not sure why it would be surprising to a non-nugget fan?

I think it'll be tough. Remember that Jordan had to re-invent his game as he aged (from a slasher to a mid-range shooter). It'll come down to how well Lebron ages too. Does he benefit from much better medical technology in this era or does his large frame put extra miles on his body as he ages?

But mostly it'll come down to desire. There's no doubt that he has the skills to win many titles. But after he wins a couple, does he have the desire to win more? Does he focus on building his mogul image more than training? We know that Jordan was so competitive that it bordered on a disorder. Up until this year Lebron has not showed that same drive.

I'll add that I think he can do it if he stays in Cleveland and just focuses on basketball and titles. If he goes to New York I wonder if the distractions will ultimately get the best of him at some point.

O ye of little faith.

I guess the fact that they won't call Lebron for a travel evens out with the fact that they won't call Howard for moving screens.

It's not supposed to be a foul if you jump straight up and keep the arms up I thought. Harsh call on Howard if so.

Here we go...

25 seconds, 2-point CLE lead, ORL ball.

LEWIS FOR THREEEEEE!!!!

9-day layoff obviously had some effect, but I still think the Cavs will pull it out in the end.

Yes sir! That was a terrible foul call on Howard.

Howard didn't even really touch him either. Should have been a no-call.

Lebron needs to win this game.

ORL force a jumpball, 1 second left!!!

WTF! You don't let Delonte freakin West shot the game winner when Lebron is on your team.

He didn't even shoot. Now it's over.

CLEVELAND FAIL! CLEVELAND FAIL! CLEVELAND FAIL!!!!

Epic Win for Orlando.

Wow almost a great shot from Williams off the tip.

Orlando takes game one, this is going to be a series.

LeBron is cramping up in the middle of the court. I guess he isn't invincible afterall.

I'm so pissed. Lebron.. Take the fucking shot yourself.

How the hell do you give Delonte West the last shot? A 3? Really Mike Brown? Wow.

Mike Brown is a cool dude, but he is not the Coach of the Year.

Awwwww....poor Cavs

Dwight Howard in the three games since Orlando's game five debacle:

9-16, 23 pts, 22 rebs, 3 blks
5-9, 12 pts, 16 rebs, 5 blks, +26
14-20, 30 pts, 13 rebs

Glad to see him put his money where his mouth is.

Indeed.

I wouldn't let dude coach my Junior League Heat of 7-9 year olds from Camp Menominee in 1998. LeBron needs to stop making that organization look good, because they're not and go someplace where he can get paid and actually get talented surrounding him.

Speaking of, I'm convinced watching these series that the salary cap has pretty much killed the ability to build an interesting team in the NBA.

Hopefully Cleveland goes back to the drawing and play a lot better next game. I still think they can win this series so no worries.

Sucks to drop game 1, but it just makes game 2 a must-win and you need to take one away from Orlando on their homecourt. Not the end of the world.

Sure it's not the Cavs underestimating a shorthanded Orlando team?