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Nate robinson doubters will also be eating their words after game 3.
This thread will have 1` million views by the time this final;s is overCause Sleep is the Cousin of DeathComment -
THE 2010 NBA FINALS - LOS ANGELES LAKERS 102, BOSTON 89 - Lakers lead series 1-0
Okay, so you saw that record splashed up there on the TV screen last night when it proclaimed that Phil Jackson-coached teams are now 47-0 all-time in NBA playoff series in which they win Game 1 - but count us among the folks who truly believe this was one of the most important Game 1's in Jackson's long and brilliant head coaching career.
The Lakers - you see - not only spent the better part of the past few days discussing the historical significance of playing the archrival Celtics in yet another NBA Finals but LA also knew that the extra rest time between series was allowing Boston's "elder statesmen"players to be getting much-needed R&R. So, the Lakers - guided by Jackson's fine hand - decided to make this a defense-first game with the intention of keeping Boston in the low 90s (or below) and the strategy keenly worked.
Not only did the Celtics attempt only 10 three-point shots all night long - making only one of 'em - but the Lakers only allowed a grand total of 67 field-goal attempts and that's a low total for any team ... especially one that would like to move the ball up the floor in a hurry and get off lay-ups/drives early in the 24-second shot clock. Instead, the Lakers allowed Boston a mere five fast-break points and then muscled up in the paint area too.
Maybe it all begins and ends with LA's Kobe Bryant (game-high 30 points on 10-of-22 FG shooting) but the real star-of-stars for the Lakers here in Game 1 was seven-footer Pau Gasol who was a stat-sheet stuffer (see 23 points and 14 rebounds) but we believe some of the biggest plays in game 1 was Gasol's shot blocks - he finished with 3 of the Lakers' seven swats but there was true significance to Gasol's blocks and especially when he rejected a Kevin Garnett in-close attempt that appeared to deflate Doc Rivers' gang.
Consider that Boston point guard Rajon Rondo (13 points and 8 assists) was not able to impose his will on this game as much as the C's need 'em to - no question Bryant's belly-to-belly defense really hindered Rondo at times - and then toss into the mix the fact that the aforementioned Artest (15 points) was a genuine offensive threat while LA scored 48 in-the-paint points to show their macho side here and it all added up to a lopsided win that really was not in question throughout the final frame.
Maybe - as Rivers said in one of his huddles - the Celtics didn't "trust one another"enough here in Game 1 is something that can be corrected in time for Game 2 but you do have to wonder if Boston has doubts about what is left in Garnett's tank (don't be fooled by the 16 points because he got much of that long after this game was truly decided) and if Paul Pierce (24 points but just six made FGs) will be allowed to square up and get off some open shots after facing some monstrous pressure by Artest whenever he was in the game.
Note that the Celtics have come back in one playoff series this year after losing a Game 1 - see the Eastern Conference semifinals series against heavily-favored Cleveland - and so it's not out of the question that Boston can win this thing even though Jackson-coached teams have not lost a series when grabbing Game 1 but, for now, it's hats off to the Lakers who once again nabbed a Game 1 win.
Here's what the Lakers now have done in Game 1 of their four playoff series this year (note all home teams in CAPS below):
DATE
FAV
SPREADOPP
RESULT
4-17
LAKERS
- 7.5Oklahoma City
LAKERS 87-79
5-2
LAKERS
- 6.5Utah
LAKERS 104-99
5-17
LAKERS
- 6Phoenix
LAKERS 128-107
6-3
LAKERS
- 6Boston
LAKERS 102-89
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That was AWESOME. Thanks, Pao. Always a great move to say about one of the most intense, competitive players in NBA history that he's lost a step, that he's old, that we all get old and lose our abilities. HAHAHAHA!!! Does Pao kick hornets' nests too?
Not that KG needs the motivation, he knows he was terrible in Game 1... but I love that little push!
C's will adjust and play much better in Game 2. This is a resilient team. They will not get dominated again on the boards, going for loose balls, on second-chance points, etc. All the 7-footers are a problem, no doubt, but they can adjust. They needed that slap in the face. Not sure if they'll win, but like them to cover the 6.Comment -
I will be heading to bed in a few hours. Anyone tell me what I should put money on? Celtics to cover?Comment -
Oh shite! Thought the game was Saturday evening.Comment -
I like the Celtics to cover game 2.Comment -
Game #2 LAKERS win by three point Buzzer Beater
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Why do I have a feeling Boston might win game 2 straight up...Bet To WinComment -
1 Adjustment Rivers will make that will not work
The Celts had 0 second chance points in game 1. Now, Rivers will tell his squad to minimize second chance points from the Lakers, play tougher, box out, etc. but you aren't going to keep Lakers off the offensive glass and Rivers knows it.
Rivers will tell his guys to crash the offensive glass which will be a huge mistake. If you commit to the offensive rebounds and you don't get them, LA will destroy you in transition. This is exactly why I said playing teams like the Suns OKC and Utah was a blessing in disguise for the Lakers.Cause Sleep is the Cousin of DeathComment -
Anyone else see some similarities here?Comment -
lakers will cover again 2mrw
bos looks slow
lal+uComment -
Congrats on ur 20k Post Lb
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Lakers will go all the way. I guess over 90 % people will pick Boston for second game. Hence, we'd better pick Lakers. As for now, 55% on Boston per statisticComment -
Let's get it done today lbComment -
Who are the sharps and squares on tomorrow?
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good luck tommorowComment -
The majority of public bets I wrote today (Saturday) were on Boston + the points, if that matters.Comment -
1 Thing That WILL work for Boston
I already said Ray Allen will have a big series in my write up.
Now I'm believing it even more after I watch how he destroys Fisher off screen when he's guarding him, shannon brown is not a smart enough defender to guard ray, and vujacic will do a solid job, but ray can take him any day off the dribble.
The move by Phil to push Fisher on Ray was immature and it will not work this game. You need to let Rondo do his damage early and just leave Bryant on Ray in the beginning. If Ray does his damage early, you will be in for a 7 tre night. Once Vujacic comes in obviously move Bryant to Rondo.Cause Sleep is the Cousin of DeathComment -
you really going big on Lakers ML tomorrow LB?Comment -
Good Morning !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Lakers !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Comment -
Go Boston+pointsComment -
The truth hurts sometimes....I'm not worried about it, in fact I like that Pau has the confidence to say that. Now it would be stupid to say that against a Kobe or MJ, but at this stage of his career KG isn't going to take over the game. The Lakers will throw too many big bodies in the paint, banging him up and wearing him down. This isn't the one man Cavs show, or the disappearing Magic act...Man for man LA is better, and I'll take Phil over any coach, any day.
There's so much
love going on today, it feels like an orgy.
I keep thinking back to how much money I made in the 90s, betting the Bulls....Deja Vu
LA-6
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keep up the good work pal, good jobComment
myself and another member thinks he looks like a ninja turtle 
