Champs Climbing

My lack of blogging can be attributed to entering the most boring period in professional sports. There really isn’t much going on outside the hardwood and NHL. Pitchers and catchers report on Monday, but until baseball season officially opens, the next few weeks are going to be tough save for the tremendousness that is March Madness. The LA Lakers’ treachery is starting to show. Los Angeles collected wins in Boston and New York this week, establishing the World Champs as “back”. LA has won the first four games of a seven game road trip. The defenseless New York Knicks were beaten at home last night 113-96 in Phil Jackson’s last appearance at the Garden. LA’s head coach announced he is retiring after the season. Kobe Bryant put up 33 points against the Knicks, who seem to have gradually fallen off the playoff radar. The Knicks slipped to 26-26, twelve games behind Atlantic-leading Boston. The Lakers, meanwhile, improved to 38-16. That’s good for a ten and a half game edge in the Pacific division.
Bryant drained 19 of Los Angeles’ 30 first quarter points but the Knicks scored 28 to make it a two point contest after the opening stanza. The Knicks looked mediocre in trying to keep pace with LA. Bryant knocked down 3-of-4 3-point attempts in the first quarter and exploded on nearly every opportunity he was afforded. Amar’e Stoudemire shined for Mike D’Antoni’s team. Stoudemire finished with a double-double and made 6-of-7 from the free throw line. Raymond Felton was a perfect 4-of-4 from the field for New York during the first quarter. Felton scored 20 points in the loss, while Stoudemire bested him by four. The Knicks’ Danilo Gallinari missed 11 of 15 shots but finished in double figures. His rookie teammate made just six shots. LA’s strong defense was too much for the flailing, fumbling Knicks.
Pau Gasol tallied 20 points in 32 minutes for the visiting Lakers. Andrum Bynum added 12 points and nine rebounds. LA’s bench stepped up to give them a 62-48 halftime advantage. Shannon Brown went 6-of-10 from the field with 12 points as reserve guard. Brown’s aerobatic dunk highlighted a second quarter spurt for LA. The Knicks played sloppy basketball and Stoudemire was called for a technical foul in the third quarter. For the All-Star Stoudemire, it was his 14th technical, two shy of a one game suspension. The Lakers were able to breeze down the stretch with a comfortable lead as New York never threatened. Bryant’s jumper early in the third quarter gave the Lakers an 18 point edge. Phil Jackson’s team extended their lead with Bryant on the bench. The Lakers held the lead for the game’s final 35 minutes, eventually ballooning to 22 at one point in the final stanza.

Parting Points: Song for Saturday- “Follow You Follow Me” by Genesis

The Cavs finally won a game---over the fruitless Clippers.

Highlights in Houston

The reeling Lakers have lost four straight after being dispatched by the Rockets in Houston on Wednesday night. L.A. was beaten 109-99 at Toyota Center as the pesky Rockets held off Kobe Bryant’s 27 and a season high 22 points from Lamor Odom. The Lakers haven’t lost four consecutive games since April 2007. The struggling defending champions are now owners of a 5-4 road record and 13-6 overall. Houston improved their dismal season start to 6-12. Kevin Martin led the Rockets in points and Shane Battiers knocked down back-to-back three pointers to carry them to victory with less than three minutes in regulation.
Martin finished with 22 points and was a flawless 10-10 at the charity stripe. Luis Scola added 14 points for Houston, who shot just over 50% from the field. Odom bucketed 25 points and had 11 boards in the loss as L.A. snapped a three game winning streak over Houston. The Lakers outscored the Rockets in the first quarter and maintained a three point advantage into the break. Martin had 20 points, and Battier 11, in the second half to lift the Rockets. Houston trimmed their deficit to two points by the end of the third stanza. Kyle Lowry, the former Villanova point guard, contributed with a game high 10 assists.
The Lakers missed their last seven shots and were overpowered 33-21 in the final quarter. Lowry’s pass to Battier with 2:05 remaining resulted in a tie ball game. Battier sunk the downtown shot for a 97-97 score, and struck again on the next Rockets’ possession to pull Houston ahead by three. Battier was fouled inside a minute to play and drilled three free throws for a six point home advantage. The Lakers shot just 33% in the second half. They failed to score again after Bryant drained a pair of free throws in L.A.’s 22% shooting fourth quarter. Pau Gasol, the fluid power player, came down with a left hamstring pull and was limited to just eight points for the Lakers. Houston’s bench outscored L.A.’s in the first half, and the Rockets’ defense clamped down to taunt Gasol and Bryant the remainder of the contest to earn the win. For the ailing home team, Wednesday was finally a happy highlight.

Parting Points: Duke looks dominant with their flamboyant freshman, Kyrie Irving.

I like this athletic kid, Jordan Hill for the Rockets. For starters, he shares his name with a terrific singer.

Song of the day- “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana

Davis’ Diligent Delivery

Post-season success in the NBA is often measured by a diligent bench. That was the case last night in Game 4 of the Finals between the Boston Celtics and L.A. Lakers. The Celtics evened the series at 2-2 Thursday after their reserves provided 21 fourth quarter points in a 96-89 home victory. The teams traded baskets throughout the first half, but L.A. faded and fizzled after the break to find themselves in a deadlocked series. Boston’s bench plucked away the Lakers’ two point edge heading into the final quarter, anchored by Glen Davis’ nine buckets. The reserve forward tallied 19 in the win and went 7-for-10 from the field. Nate Robinson added 12 points and a pair of assists in his 17 minutes of court time as the Celtics outlasted and out-rebounded their purple-and-gold opponents.
Kobe Bryant led all scorers with 33 points, including 6-of-11 beyond the arc. He also endured seven turnovers and received little help from teammates other than Pau Gasol. Gasol reeled off 21 points in the loss but also collected four of L.A.’s 15 turnovers. The Lakers held a 45-42 advantage at halftime thanks to their veteran duo, but everything came undone in the second half. The Lakers allowed 36 fourth quarter points while managing to put up just 17 in the third quarter. Boston’s Paul Pierce had 19 points and Kevin Garnett provided 13 as the Lakers couldn’t keep the Celtics off the board. Bryant’s trey with just over a minute in the third gave the Lakers a 62-58 lead before Davis’ putback pulled the Celtics within a basket. Davis followed by charging down the middle for seven points in a four minute fourth quarter span.
Lamar Odom was ineffective in replacing starting L.A. center, Andrew Bynum. Bynum lasted 11 minutes before exiting the game in the first half. Odom’s defense was dismal and L.A. failed to prevent Robinson and Davis from taking over the final quarter. The Celtics’ scoring binge evaporated the Lakers’ lead. Boston’s bench outscored L.A.’s by double and pummeled the visitors in the paint. Odom recorded ten points off the bench as one of three Lakers to score in double figures. Odom was otherwise, awful. He was schooled by Davis in the second half as Boston slammed the door shut. Ron Artest put up a nine spot and dished out nine rebounds for a Lakers’ high. Boston did a tremendous job finding Davis to give the 6’9” power forward open looks. The Lakers looked fatigue down the stretch in what has become a roller coaster series between the storied franchises. Boston needed last night’s game the most, and Sunday’s Game 5 at home appears another must-win if they expect to win the Finals. Bynum is optimistic about playing Game 5 despite a torn right knee ailment. The Lakers need their strong center to strut his stuff and keep in contention with the Celtics.

Parting Points: What a strange walk-off win for Milwaukee over the Cubbies.

It looks like Nebraska is headed to the Big 10.

Angry female rock pop song of the day- Kelly Clarkson’s “Since You’ve Been Gone”

Celtics Clip Champs

Boston buried the L.A. Lakers 103-94 Sunday to even the NBA Finals at one game apiece before the series heads back to Beantown. The Celtics’ Rajon Rondo recorded a triple-double and Ray Allen made an NBA Finals high eight 3-pointers in the Game 2 win. The defending champion Lakers were handed their first home loss of the post-season as Pau Gasol’s 25 points were wasted. Kobe Bryant picked up his fifth foul of the evening during the fourth quarter and finished with a fistful of turnovers. The Celtics snapped a streak and leveled the series in what should be a tight Finals.
Bryant and Andrew Bynum collected 21 points each in defeat but Boston’s big, dynamic guards battered the Lakers throughout the game. Allen notched seven treys in the first half alone and knotted an eighth in the third quarter to break the NBA record. Rondo’s offensive rebounding overwhelmed Phil Jackson’s squad. Los Angeles’ presence up front couldn’t contain sharpshooting Rondo and Allen, whose hustle and vivacity were visible in Game 2. The physical game featured 29 fouls by each team for a combined total of 59. L.A.’s Rashard Wallace was charged with his third personal foul in the second quarter. Glen David and Kevin Garnett did likewise for Boston. There were six lead changes in the first quarter, but Boston held the advantage from late in the first quarter to midway in the third. Allen went 11-for-20 from the field to finish with a game high 32 points. Rondo grabbed 12 rebounds in a 19 point affair, while leading all players with 10 assists. The explosive point guard carried the Celtics in the second half after Allen cooled down a bit. The Celtics clogged the paint with 36 points, ten more than their opponents. Boston peppered the perimeter and drained their free throws during the first half. The Lakers answered late in the second quarter by trimming the lead to nine and going down low to Gasol and Bynum.
Boston watched their lead fall to six points seconds before halftime after Bryant connected from downtown. The Lakers outscored Boston24-18 in the third quarter and tied the game at 72-72 headed into the final session. Los Angeles benefited from 41 free-throw attempts but were sorely beaten down the stretch without Bryant. Nate Robinson boosted Boston off the bench with seven points in the fourth quarter during a six minute stretch. Garnett helped push the Celtics’ lead with a late three at the 2:40 mark. Garnett completed the night with six points, four rebounds and four assists. Rondo was successful on all shots in the final six minutes of the game to silence the Staples Center crowd. Lamar Odom logged less than 15 minutes for the Lakers and had more fouls than points. Los Angeles’ outside shooting was not good enough. Ron Artest played solid in defending Paul Pierce but went just one-for –ten on offense. Game 3 of this even series is Tuesday night in Boston.
Parting Points: It’s not too surprising Rafael Nadal won his fifth French Open.

Stoudemire Shakes Suns

Amare Stoudemire exploded for 42 points in helping to carry the Phoenix Suns to a nine point takedown of the L.A. Lakers in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals. Phoenix cut L.A.’s deficit to 2-1 with the 118-109 defeat of the defending champions in Arizona. Phoenix was powered by the 27 year old Stoudemire, who matched a career high in points and added 11 rebounds. Stoudemire answered critics who scoffed at his defense and uninspired play by going 14-of-22 from the field and 14-of-18 from the line. The Suns are making a series out West with Game 4 set for Tuesday night at U.S. Airways Center. Phoenix will have a chance to knot the series even at 2-2 it shifts back to L.A.
The Suns’ zone defense flabbergasted the Lakers despite Kobe Bryant’s near triple-double. Bryant finished with 36 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds as the purple and gold suffered their first loss of the finals. His supporting cast was belittled. Stoudemire terrorized the L.A. interior defense, picking apart Pau Gasol and finding open space to sink buckets. Phoenix owns the second best downtown shooting in NBA history during the regular season. The Suns were even effective without their brilliant 3-point game being bright. Phoenix shot 25% from the arc, led by Jason Richardson’s 4-of-7 line. Richardson scored 19 points and Robin Lopez notched 20. The Suns’ center, Lopez, went 8-of-10 on shooting, including dazzling dunks, razzing right –handed rebounds and left hooks. It was Lopez’ third week back after a seven week hiatus but his seven foot presence was enough to frustrate the Lakers inside.
The Lakers’ bench was tamed in Game 3, hitting 11-of-37. The Suns were aggressive and took advantage of L.A.’s poor execution. Lamar Odom made four of his 14 attempts with 10 points in a mediocre performance before fouling out. Lakers’ malcontent, Ron Artest, went 4-of-13 and finished with a dozen points and half a dozen rebounds. Gasol finished at the 23 point mark and Derek Fisher contributed 18 for the visitors in the loss. It took L.A. a long time to figure out Phoenix’s zone defense and the champs found themselves down 54-47 at the break. Stoudemire broke loose for 16 points in the third quarter and topped off an impressive game with 13 in the final session. The Lakers were outscored and annihilated 18-3 in fast-break points. The Suns shot 57% in the second half but clung to only a two point lead at the end of three quarters.
L.A. took a 90-89 edge when Odom slipped a pair of free throws through the net with just under nine minutes remaining. The Suns took the lead for good when Lopez entered the contest for the struggling Channing Frye. Frye has missed 17 consecutive shots in this series. Phoenix’s Steve Nash tallied 17 points to go a long with 15 assists before banging his nose in a fourth quarter collision. Phil Jackson, the Hall-of-Fame L.A. head coach, picked up a rare technical foul after complaining about a non-call by the referees. The Suns irritated the Lakers, outperforming them entirely during the fourth quarter. A 93-92 Suns advantage quickly turned into a ten point lead.

Parting Points: Congrats to the Blackhawks for wiping out the Sharks.

The Cavs fired Mike Brown.

Jose Lima- RIP.

Home Haven

Pau Gasol put up a game high 29 points against Phoenix in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals at Los Angeles’ Staples Center Wednesday. Gasol grabbed nine rebounds and collected five assists in the Lakers’ 124-112 pasting of Phoenix. The Suns were drubbed for the second time, though they were in the game going into the fourth quarter. The Lakers broke away from a 90-90 third quarter tie to hold on for the 2-0 lead in the best of seven series. Game 3 shifts to Phoenix on Sunday, where the Suns seek to ruin the purple and gold’s eight game playoff winning streak.
Kobe Bryant scored 21 points and distributed a career playoff-high 13 assists for Los Angeles. The high scoring defending champions netted 34 fourth period points to pull away at the finish. It marked the fifth time this series L.A. has broken 30 during a quarter. Lamar Odom totaled 11 rebounds and 17 points to notch a double-double in the victory. Ron Artest also shot the ball extremely well for the Lakers. Artest finished 6-of-9 from the field and 3-of-6 from downtown to snag 18 points. Artest led all scorers at the half with 15 points as the Lakers carried a comfortable 65-56 lead into the locker room.
The Suns were outscored 34-22 during the fourth period. L.A.’s versatile and poised offense was too much for the small Suns’ lineup. They tore off to an 18-7 start in the fourth, sparking momentum as the Suns committed five turnovers. The one thing Phil Jackson’s team can do is execute. Gasol and Bryant were superb in handling the ball and plugging away at the hoop. They also make opponents look confused when they are clicking on all cylinders. Alvin Gentry’s Suns seemed to beat themselves but it wasn’t all lowlights for the visitors. Jason Richardson carved up L.A. for a team high 27 points and Grant Hill bucketed 23 in the loss. Phoenix erased a 14 point deficit to tie the game after the break. Hill knifed through the paint for 14 third quarter points to stall the Lakers, but L.A. regrouped for an explosive fourth. Amare Stoudemire figured into the mix with 18 points in 40 minutes for the Suns and Jared Dudley hit five 3-pointers off the bench. The hard-charging Lakers remain unbeaten at home during the post-season. Third seeded Phoenix endured their first back-to-back losses since January.

Parting Points: Song of the day- Fuel’s “Shimmer”

Firm Finish

LeBron James may be the MVP of the NBA, but last season’s MVP, Kobe Bryant, was the most explosive player last night on the hardwood. Bryant buried the most buckets in L.A. lashing of Utah in Game 1 of the Western conference semifinals Sunday at Staples Center. The Jazz watched their four point fourth quarter lead vanish as Bryant drained seven consecutive points to lift the Lakers to a 104-99 home victory. Bryant finished with 31 points, 11 of which he scored in the final four minute rally. The Lakers are 4-0 at home this postseason and are singing a finely tuned song after thumping the Jazz.
Utah has now dropped 15 straight games at Staples Center to the Lakers. L.A. will host game two of the best-of-seven series on Tuesday night. The visitors expect better results after a tough, but well fought, first game. The Jazz had five players score in seven digits but were out-rebounded by L.A.’s enigmatic defense. Deron Williams collected 24 points and eight assists for the fifth-seeded Jazz. Carlos Boozer banked 18 and dished out 12 rebounds while Paul Millsap added nine rebounds. Pau Gasol provided a steady hand with 25 points for the Lakers. Gasol also blocked five shots against the injured Jazz front line. Utah was without starters, Andrei Kirelinko and Mehmet Okur and struggled to guard the Lakers inside. Utah battled back in the second quarter to make it a 30-23 deficit after L.A. opened up an 8-0 advantage. The hosts increased their lead on a 9-0 run to bust open a 39-25 lead. The Jazz stayed with L.A. to trim the margin to eight at the break. Wesley Matthews managed back-to-back three pointers for Utah to cut the Lakers’ lead to three with six minutes remaining in the third. L.A.’s six point burst allowed them to close out the quarter on the upside of 81-73. Utah rallied off 10 points to take over the opening minutes of the final quarter. The visitors led 85-82 until Gasol tied the game with a downtown dink (or a Pau put-back)
Bryant was a perfect 7-for-7 from the line. He capped off the Lakers’ comeback with a pull-up jumper near the line with 1:20 remaining to give L.A. a 96-93 edge. Williams made it a one point game again when he drew a foul and dialed in a pair of free throws for the Jazz. Lamar Odom invoked an emotional charge during the final minute for the home team. Odom blocked a Boozer shot and later scored off a crucial offensive rebound with less than a minute on the clock. L.A.’s point guard and former Jazz star, Derek Fisher, grabbed a key steal on Utah’s next possession and Bryant closed out the play with an acrobatic layup for a three point Lakers’ lead. Bryant rattled off two free throws with 19 seconds to go to keep the five point lead intact, and Gasol sealed the deal with a pair of his own from the charity stripe. The defending champions outlasted the opener and have the early edge in this series after their five point triumph.

Parting Points: A belated but sincere congratulations to Derby winner, Super Saver!

Carmelo's Clamp at Clock

Carmelo Anthony dialed up 31 points and delivered a block at the buzzer as the Nuggets held off the Lakers 98-96 in Denver. The Western conference-leading Lakers dropped their fourth game in five tries but played Thursday without Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum. Pau Gasol carried L.A.’s offense with 26 points and 13 rebounds. Lamar Odom matched Gasol in rebounds and Ron Artest added 22 points in the Pepsi Center road loss. The Lakers failed to clinch the top seed in the conference when Derek Fisher’s 3-point attempt was blocked by Anthony as time expired.
MVP Bryant sat out with nagging injuries for Phil Jackson’s 55-23 Lakers. L.A. is tied with the Orlando Magic for the second best record in the league. Denver dove a full game ahead of Utah for the Northwest division lead with the win. The Nuggets clung to a one point advantage with 18 ticks on the clock. L.A.’s Shannon Brown grabbed a rebound off J.R. Smith’s shot and passed to an open Fisher in transition. Denver’s Chanchey Billups swooped in to break up the pass to give the Nuggets possession. Billups led all players with six assists on the night. The Lakers got the ball back following a Smith free throw and being down by a bucket. Fisher’s last-ditch shot went for naught as Anthony’s outstretched arms prevented the tying basket. Smith finished with 26 points and Billups landed 12 as the Nuggets outlasted the slumping Lakers.
The Lakers were out-scored in every quarter except the third, but made a game of it despite key injuries. Denver raced out to a 15 point lead in the third quarter but the Lakers came roaring back to reclaim the edge. Seven year star, Nene Hilario, made a pair of free throws to give the Nuggets the lead for good with just over a minute remaining. Hilario tallied 11 points and 7 rebounds, while notching 7-of-10 from the line. The Nuggets were just too swift and smooth from the field. Smith was on target with 5-of-11 shots from long range to move into first place on the franchise’s all time 3-point list. Denver made 11 baskets, finishing 44% from the arc. Anthony contributed three from downtown and blocked three shots. The former Syracuse standout committed just one turnover and went 10-of-20 from the field. The Lakers were a sure-handed and accurate 84.8% from the charity stripe. Gasol knocked down 10-of-11 free throws. There has been speculation that Jackson is resting Bryant with the playoffs looming. It’s unknown whether Bryant will play Friday against Minnesota. Sasha Vujacic started in place of Bryant. Vujacic’s slow first half prompted Jackson to replace the Yugoslavian with Brown. Brown grabbed a dozen points. Jordan Farmar hit a trey and Vujacic returned to score six points to give L.A. a lead in the fourth quarter. The Lakers would get as close as two points before losing the game to 52-win Denver.

Parting Points: Take home pay. Brad Stevens is rewarded with a 12 year extension at Butler.

Walk-off win in Cincy. Jonny Gomes goes yard as the Reds top the Redbirds.

Deep Denver Depresses Defense

The Los Angeles Lakers underwent an ugly loss and gave up a season high in points last night against the Denver Nuggets. Chauncey Billups dropped a career high 39 points in Denver’s 126-113 victory at the Staples Center. The Friday stunner from the Nuggets occurred without the top scorer in the league, Carmelo Anthony. Billups buoyed the Nugget and more than made up for the absence of Melo with nine three pointers. The Nuggets bested LA for the second time this season and snapped their eight game home winning streak.
Denver delivered a demoralizing win by blowing the Lakers out of the Staples Center. Los Angeles was pitiful on defense and allowed the Nuggets to shoot 68% from the arc. The uncanny road performance from George Karl’s team puts Denver 3 ½ games behind LA in the standings. Anthony missed his seventh consecutive game because of a sprained ankle. The Nuggets need their scoring stud to compete in the Western conference. Friday proved they can still bring an effective effort to the hardwood. Billups manhandled LA with 21 points in the third quarter alone. Those buckets were enough to fall second to Wilt Chamberlain’s record 23 against LA in 1966. Billups also fell one three point shot shy of Peja Stojakovic’s 10 hits from downtown against the 2007 Lakers. LA’s MVP, Kobe Bryant, scored 33 points in the loss but it wasn’t enough to prevent six Nugget players from reaching double digits. Bryant was 8-of-11 in the first half, with 23 tallies. He hit the 15 point mark just seven minutes into the contest. The Nuggets trailed 64-59 at the break. Bryant slowed down after halftime, making three of ten shots and failing to record an assist. J.R. Smith propelled Denver with 27 points. Seven year veteran, Chris Andersen, grabbed 15 rebounds in the win, and reserve, Ty Lawson posted 13 points in 19 minutes.
Pau Gasol was a rebounding machine for the Lakers. LA’s big man finished with a game-leading 17 rebounds and 17 points to match. He dumped in the final bucket of the first half to account for LA’s five point benefit. The NBA champions were buried and beaten by Billups in the second half. The nine points Lakers edge was erased early in the half on four straight from downtown. Billups turned it into a two points Nuggets lead. Lawson stepped up at the end of the third quarter as the Nuggets gripped a 94-89 advantage. He came through early in the final quarter with a pair of free throws to make it a 102-91 Nuggets’ nudge. Lawson and Smith combined for 12 points during the game’s final 12 minutes. Denver secured a season high 15 three-pointers by night’s end, as Aaron Affalo got into the act with two. The Nuggets have the upper hand in this regular season rivalry. Bryan’t ankle is a problem for the Lakers. An ineffective and inept Bryant makes it increasingly difficult for LA to beat teams with Denver’s talent in the playoffs. Ron Artest, Gasol, Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum are a nice supporting cast, but Bryant remains the star. Artest was perfect from the line (4-of-4) but shot 30% from the field. Odom and Bynum had 10 points and 5 rebounds each on Friday night. Neither managed an assist. The Lakers did not have much on defense against chic Denver in their arena last night.

Parting Points: Weekend poem- Robert Frost’s “Dust of Snow”

Luminous Lakers’ Late Lightning

Kobe Bryant tapped into all his on court resources last night in Madison Square Garden. The Lakers All-Star fell short of his mega record setting performance of 61 points from the last time he made the trip to the New York arena. Friday night, Bryant used his friends to feast on the Knicks, fueling LA to a ten point road victory. Number 24 still led the Lakers with 27 points and six assists. The Garden gamer bucketed 13 points in the final quarter. LA topped the Knicks 110-105 a night after being bullied by the Cleveland Cavaliers. The spirited Lakers handed the Knicks their 25th loss by surmounting a fourth quarter deficit. LA received a much improved game from Pau Gasol, who scored half of his 20 points the final quarter. Gasol recovered down eight rebounds but continued to have trouble from the free throw line. Andrew Bynum contributed 19 points and showed smoother rhythm in the first half. He recorded only two points in the second half, but Bryant and Gasol paved the way for another LA win. The two combined to outscore the Knicks 23-20 in the fourth quarter as the luminous Lakers flashed and fancied their late lightning.
Bryant took over when the game mattered. His fourth quarter magic sparked the Lakers as LA outscored New York 31-20 in the quarter. The NBA’s elite shooter was playing with a broken index finger, but managed to overcome the pain. He scoffed at the notion of taking time off to nurse his finger. Bryant made just 8 of 24 shots but knocked down a pair of free throws with four minutes left in the game. The Lakers beat the Knicks for the sixth straight time. New York played aggressive basketball, but was just too small to handle the Lakers’ big men. David Lee scored a season high 31 points and grabbed 17 rebounds in the loss. The All-Star candidate had a respectable game guarding Bynum and besting the Lakers big men off the dribble. New York’s Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari lit up the scoreboard with 28 and 20 points, respectively. Gallinari faded in the second half but Chandler anchored the Knicks’ offense throughout the final three quarters. The Knicks rallied on offense and delivered a diligent defensive effort to draw even after yielding 36 first quarter points. Jordan Farmar, the former UCLA hoopster, gave the Lakers a six point lead with a shot from the arc to end the first quarter. The second quarter saw seven lead changes and nine ties in a fast paced end-to-end scuffle. The score was tied 63-63 at halftime. New York’s Nate Robinson was forced out of the game with a hamstring injury in the second half. Replacement Larry Hughes, blocked and wrestled away a Bryant shot as the third quarter buzzer sounded. New York carried a slim 85-84 edge into the fourth quarter, but the Lakers clung to a two point advantage with seven minutes to go in regulation. Lamar Odom dropped a jumper and Gasol made consecutive field goals to increase LA’s lead to 99-91. Bryant drained a three pointer to push the lead to 11 and the Lakers never looked back as they excused the Knicks. The superfluous surge stood. Ron Artest finished with 11 points, including a pair of 3-pointers in the game’s final two minutes. The pitiable Knicks shot only 27% from downtown, but prevented Bryant from making it another record-setting night in New York.

Parting Points: Happy National Handwriting Day! Here’s my tribute to the day:
You hold tightly to the written word
And speak visibly to make it heard
Voices often don’t have the same effect
As the hand communicating to affect

Hollywood Home-cooking

The Los Angeles Lakers have been enjoying some home cooking. The reigning NBA champions improved to a league best 18-3 following their 11th straight victory Friday night. The Lakers mastered Al Jefferson and the Minnesota Timberwolves 104-92 to end their long home stretch at the Staples Center. LA has played 17 of their first 21 games on home court and they’ve smoked opponents with relative ease. Now, the Western Conference’s power team heads on the road for five straight games. The cushy early season schedule has elevated the Lakers in the standings but LA must play solid ball in other cities. The quest for road dominance begins with tonight’s rematch with the Utah Jazz. Friday, LA survived the Timberwolves, but may have suffered an injury to All-Star, Kobe Bryant. Bryant sustained a fracture in the index finger of his right hand during a first quarter pass from Jordan Farmar. The 31 year old MVP wounded warrior scored 20 points despite the break, and is expected to be in the starting lineup for Phil Jackson on Saturday.
Pau Gasol had a career-high 20 rebounds along with a 17 point shooting barrage against Minnesota. Ron Artest contributed 16 points and Lamar Odom scored 13. Center, Andrew Bynum, continued his All-Star bound season with 12 points in 24 minutes on the court. Bynum has scored in double digits in each of LA’s game and has developed into a more consistent player for Jackson. The center is averaging a career high 17 points per game and has drastically reduced his fouls. The Lakers put their clamp on the Timberwolves behind Bynum’s game high three blocks. The Timberwolves were overwhelmed by the two “Bs” (Bynum and Bryant) on defense in their ninth consecutive defeat to the Lakers. Rookie head coach, Kurt Rambis, suffered his fifth loss in six games as the Twolves fell to 3-20. Rambis, the longtime Lakers assistant coach and forward, received a warm ovation from the home crowd. Rambis’ team couldn’t overcome 17 turnovers or find the rhythm to compete with the lavishing Laker talent.
Jefferson was Minnesota’s leading scorer with two dozen points and 13 rebounds. Former UCLA star shooter, Kevin Love, snagged a career high 19 rebounds. Love struggled from the floor, shooting just 3-of-14. Ramon Sessions hit one of the Wolves four three pointers and finished with 15 overall points. Minnesota managed an impressive run during Bryant’s absence in the second quarter. Sessions succeed with a sharp jumper to give the Twolves a 44-42 edge with five minutes left in the half. The Lakers had a slender 56-54 lead at halftime but pulled away to go ahead in the second half. LA’s red hot defense was too much for Minnesota to handle. The Lakers started the second half on an 11-3 run to go ahead by ten points. The Timberwolves were held to just 14 points in the third quarter. Odom drilled one in from the arch to lift LA 86-68 headed into the final quarter. Sessions’ trey with 2 ½ minutes in the game cut Minnesota’s deficit to 88-77. The Twolves never got any closer against tenacious LA the rest of the way. Ryan Gomes, who scored a team high 21 points Wednesday night, was 2-for-6 with only four points at the Staples Center. He registered just one of Minnesota’s 48 recorded rebounds. Corey Brewer and former Syracuse standout, Johnny Flynn, each tallied 10 points in defeat.

Parting Points: Tune time and one that fits the mood “I get knocked down” by Chumbawumba
Tiger on a golf hiatus is a good idea. J. J. Putz is toeing the rubber in the AL again after signing on with the Whitesox. I love to see Aaron Brooks drilled a jumper with 8 seconds left to lift my Houston Rockets!

Size, Substitutes Storylines from Staples

The New York Knicks dropped the opener of a three-game West Coast swing Tuesday night at the Staples Center. The defending champion LA Lakers cruised past New York 100-90 for their fourth straight win. Ron Artest scored 17 points, and the Lakers scored likewise in the third quarter alone to avoid the shaky play of their reserve players. LA’s substitues played sloppy and the Knicks trimmed the lead to respectability by outscoring the Lakers in the fourth quarter. LA exploited a major size advantage and returned their starters to take command of the game. The 6’10” Lamar Odom grabbed 12 rebounds against the second worst defensive team in the NBA. Kobe Bryant finished with 34 points, five rebounds and four assists. Pau Gasol, playing in his third game, produced a double-double for the NBA champs.
Wilson Chandler and Nate Robinson tried to carry the Knicks. They both netted 15 points as the Knicks struggled and strained to get in the paint. The visitors folded in the third quarter when LA broke the game open. Following a ten point halftime lead, the Lakers went on to tally 17 unanswered points. The Knicks bucketed just 12 free throws and couldn’t get to the charity stripe as often as they wanted. New York was also grim from the outside, hitting only 11 of their 33 3-point attempts. Eddy Curry re-injured his knee when he bumped with Andrew Bynum in the first half. The seven foot center sat out the second half, and the 3-11 Knicks could be without him for their meeting with the Sacramento Kings tonight. The 26 year old eight year veteran missed all of last season with the same left knee ailment.
The Lakers’ outburst in the third quarter was a good sign for Phil Jackson’s team. LA is starting to hit their stride, with all five starters scoring in double digits. Bryant’s supporting cast has the size and talent to top every team in the league. Even when the Knicks clung to a one-point advantage early in the game, the Lakers answered with a 9-0 run. LA extended their lead by hitting threes and jumpers in an all-out domination of the Knicks. Winning is nothing new for Jackson and the Lakers. There will be challengers trying to knock Kobe and company from the NBA’s top spot. But with Gasol back in gear, the Lakers are fully ready to defend their title and take the west. Last night’s matchup between small forward Chandler and Gasol was completely in LA’s favor. Gasol and Bynum together add a new dimension for Jackson. The Lakers did not play very well offensively, but still edged the Knicks by ten points when the buzzer sounded. LA plays great, straight-forward basketball. It is not surprising they trounce opponents. They did their work against a weak Knicks team by pouring in points when New York sought to make it a respectable game. The lowly Knicks and polished Lakers are headed in opposite directions. While LA is busy schooling teams at the Staples Center, New York is trying to put together a legitimate team. Former Seminole, Toney Douglas, and Italian standout, Danilo Gallnari, chipped in a combined 31 points last night. The two young shooters are promising Knickerboxers, but aren’t enough to culminate a losing program into a championship-caliber club. The Knicks are playing better defense this season, and have executed effectively on offense. This team just doesn’t know how to counter a stronger club, especially one as established as the reigning champions.

Parting Points: Thanksgiving Eve song- “Just Breathe” by Pearl Jam

I wonder what the NJ Nets have to be thankful for this year...

Loaded Legendary Lakers

Phil Jackson has gold band number ten and Kobe Bryant his fourth. The two Lakers legends are loaded with rings and have cemented chairs in the NBA hall. The Los Angeles Head Coach and MVP each earned another NBA championship after the Lakers overcame Orlando 99-86 in Game 5 of the Finals. L.A. stomped the Magic 4-1 in the series to claim their title. It was the 15th franchise championship for L.A.. Los Angeles’ 15 titles are two shy of Boston’s all-time record. Sunday’s trophy raising was Jackson’s fourth with the Lakers and tenth of all time, and places the legend as the winningest coach in NBA history. The Zen Master passed famed Celtics coach, Red Auerbach, on the all-time list. Game 5 marked Jackson’s 300th career playoff game.
Bryant was declared Finals MVP and captured the coveted championship seven years after winning with Shaquille O’Neal and a year from failing against Boston. Sunday, Bryant scored 30 points and averaged 32.4 during the series. Kobe finished with six rebounds, four blocked shots and five assists. The tall Spaniard, Pau Gasol, chipped in 14 points and reeled in 15 rebounds for Los Angeles. Despite falling behind by nine points in the first quarter, L.A. fought back with a leaping surge in the second. The Lakers trailed halfway through the second quarter before taking off. Derek Fisher nailed a three pointer to set the stage for the purple pests. They went on a 16-0 run, capped by forward, Trevor Ariza, scoring 7 of his 15 points and Fisher hauling in five. Ariza excelled and effectively drew fouls while attacking the basket. The Magic went about four and a half minutes without scoring a point during the second quarter Lakers lashing.
The Lakers lapped up a ten point lead, 56-46, as they headed into the locker room following the stellar second quarter. Orlando went on their own brief run after halftime. Their third quarter rally cut a ten point deficit to a five point Lakers lead. The Magic’s errant and inefficient play doomed them down the stretch. Lamar Odom controlled the paint and stepped up for L.A. with two 3-pointers for 6 of his 17 points. Odom also had 10 rebounds for a team that was in front of Orlando by as many as 18 in the second half. Bryant seemingly put the game out of reach with a jumper over Orlando’s Hedo Turkoglu with eight ticks remaining in the game. Stan Van Gundy called a timeout but the Magic were prematurely raising the white flag on this Flag Day.
Los Angeles would not need a Game 6 for their most recent title. The Magic were never able to recover, turning the ball over and playing poorly. Orlando committed ten turnovers in the middle periods and were blanketed with little room to shoot. Los Angeles had a healthy advantage on the glass all night as the Magic were unsuccessful in recovering loose balls. Coach Van Gundy’s team shot just 8-of-27 from long range as they fell at home and lost a chance to return to Los Angeles. For a team that relies heavily on the three, this was not the night for the Magic to take off. Rashard Lewis led Orlando with 18 points but was only 3-of-12 from the arch. Dwight Howard grabbed 10 rebounds while scoring 11. Superman was never a factor last night, taking just nine shots and never getting things going to lead his team.
The Lakers were the better basketball team. They were the best all season and so remarkable they didn’t drop three straight games at all. The beat down in Boston a year ago seemed to inspire Bryant most. The All-Star Laker came out with a desire to win and completed his mission. The 30 year old would not come up short in 2009 and his outstanding play earned him the most valuable player. He took control of all possessions and showed grit when the games were on the line. Kobe became the only Laker besides Magic Johnson to record 8 assists in six consecutive postseason games. He also became the first since Michael Jordan to tally at least 25 points and have 8 assists in three straight Finals games. Although Bryant was the main ingredient in the Lakers’ recipe for success, role players mixed in some necessary reinforcements. The team’s nucleus was just as vital to victory as the beloved Bryant. Fisher was a steadying force in capturing his fourth ring. He came back to L.A. after stints in Golden State and Utah to propel the offense behind Bryant. Fisher’s three-point shot to force overtime and then 27 footer to seal the deal in the extra session of Game 4 was an important play. The 34 year old came into Game 5 trailing only two players for most three-pointers in NBA Finals history. Bryant was helped by the entire L.A. roster. In Game 5, four of his teammates scored in double figures to assist his incredulous effort. Gasol played second fiddle and was rewarded with a ring following his voyage from Memphis 16 months ago. The European adequately defended Lewis at the post and held Howard in check throughout Game 5. Players like Jordan Farmar went from works in progress to mature ball handlers. Odom went from a derailment in decline to a developed destructive defender. Odom, Ariza and Andrew Bynum all came through with tenacious toughness, deliberate dribbles, rattling rebounds and jiggling jumpers. Jackson’s in-game strategies were intangible factors throughout the series. The Lakers ridiculously defended their court by forcing focus, confronting Orlando guards with pressure and applying an ardent attitude.
Orlando was not short on chances in at least two of the Finals contests. In Game 2, Courtney Lee missed an alley-oop layup in the final seconds of regulation that would have given the Magic a victory and tied the series at one. Instead, the Magic settled for a hard-fought loss. Had Howard made his free throws to ice the match with 11 seconds remaining in Game 4, the Lakers might not have been celebrating their 15th championship in Amway Arena last night. Instead, Orlando’s life expectancy in the finals was short-lived and Los Angeles restored their franchise with another terrific title.


Parting points: Happy Birthday to Andy Pettitte.
Band of the day- Days of the New

Series in Six

If you’re a fan of the Denver Nuggets, you woke up with the disappointing news there would be no Game 7. Denver was dropped and denied a trip to the NBA finals when they were defeated by Los Angeles, 119-92. The Lakers dispatched the Nuggets and return for the second straight season to the finals. L.A. did so by finally hitting their stride, bouncing and beating up a Denver team that simply lost their steam. The Lakers exercised with an attestation of attrition and the Nuggets neglected to normalize.
The bar was set high for Los Angeles heading into this season after a championship series loss to the Boston Celtics. Kobe Bryant and his teammates will have a second chance to capture a title for the Lakers and accomplish what they couldn’t do last year. The only obstacle they have to confront is the NBA Eastern Conference winner, either Orlando or Cleveland. Whichever team the Lakers face, they will be a well-rested team.
The Denver series was closer than some predicted to begin, but ended with the Lakers snowballing Denver in Game 6’s lopsided win. Bryant extinguished Denver by striking up MVP-like performances. After luring a Game 1 two point victory, Los Angeles fell to Denver 106-103 in Game 2. The Lakers shook off a loss and took control of the series in Game 5, playing their best basketball in the final twenty minutes of a 103-94 win. Game 3 put the Lakers back up by a game. The teams tipped off and clashed in Denver for Game 4. The Nuggets were the better team that game with a defining 120-101 slapping. Game 5 proved the Lakers had smarter players and Denver lacked an ability to close out games. Los Angeles won 103-94 to rectify the bad taste of Game 4’s Denver drubbing. With energy and discipline, the Lakers played outstanding again in the clinching Game 6 Friday night. There was no orchestrated comeback for the Nuggets this time.
Bryant scored 35 points, had 10 assists, 6 rebounds and one block in 42 minutes. Pau Gasol, playing the same amount of time as Kobe, had 20 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, one block and 3 steals for L.A. The two scoring stars got plenty of help from the other players. Including Bryant, three other Lakers scored in double digits. Lamar Odom added 20 points and an assists. Odom had 8 rebounds, including three on offense. Trevor Ariza chipped in with 17 points and went 3 of 4 from 3 point range. Transfixed Trevor hounded Denver’s, Carmelo Anthony. Ariza ascended with an assault, knocking and blocking the All-star Anthony. Luke Walton gave the Lakers 10 points from the bench, which included an uncharacteristic dunk over ‘Melo. The L.A. bench outscored the Nuggets bench 40-34. The Lakers shot over 57% from the field and 100% from the line.
Bryant berated the Nuggets and created a buzz when the Lakers went on a 21-7 run just before the half. His 11 points during the drilling took the air out of the Pepsi Center crowd and placed Denver in an arduous 53-40 hole. The Nuggets replenished after halftime and trimmed their deficit late in the game to 79-67. But it was Bryant stepping up again to show Denver the door. I am possessed by Bryant’s incredulity on the court. The Lakers replied with a 9-0 run and Kobe restored the team with seven straight points to make it 101-82. Kobe went 12 of 20 from the field and 9 of 9 at the charity stripe. The greatest clutch player in the NBA continues to perform at an unreachable utmost level.
The Nuggets made crucial mistakes and botched shots in Games 1 and 3. The games could have gone either way. Last night, there was no question which club was deserving of a trip to the NBA Finals. Anthony put up 25 points but only had a pair of rebounds and assists. J.R. Smith missed 5 three pointers of his 9 attempts, but scored 24 points in the Nuggets loss. Kenyon Martin turned in 13 points, and Chauncey Billups attained 10 to complement his 9 assists. Denver trailed most of the game and never mounted a serious charge in Game 6. They did shoot 80% from the line and finished 8 of 19 from the arc, but lost their eighth consecutive playoff elimination game by an embarrassing mark. So now it’s the Lakers who prevail and reach their record 30th final.
The Lakers executed well in the final two games of this Western finals series. They somehow cemented the cracks the Rockets and Nuggets exposed during these early rounds. L.A. looks like the best team in the NBA and a threat to thrash their next opponent. All the players did their part against Denver. Los Angeles controlled the match-up between the two benches, got another gorgeous game from Bryant, and more mobility from the defense. Bryant was poked all night by Denver defenders but still elevated from the perimeter to release shots. Odom, for the first time in the playoffs, had back-to-back performances worthy of praise. The Lakers are a better team overall when Odom is in the starting lineup. The 6’10” 29 year old hasn’t been a consistent force for Phil Jackson and was criticized for disappearing on his team last year. The resurgent Odom was hard for Denver to contain. The Nuggets also ineffective neutralized Gasol. Pau was an L.A. spark during Friday’s rout, and really has been oppressive this entire playoff run. The workhorse visibly confused the vulnerable Nuggets from down low and played well on the defensive front with 12 rebounds. Walton had a breakout game and took advantage of a porous, non-committal defense with wide-open jumpers. He was one pesky Pepsi Center presence.
The purple and gold defense never allowed Denver to get aggressive on offense. The Nuggets were excused last night because they barely showed up or creating contact. Anthony and Billups missed their targets. Chris Andersen was arid and Nene never took off. The Nuggets, at times, looked overexcited and unfocused. Denver put up a good fight in the first four games. The befuddled Nuggets did not get the inbound passes to put them over the top in the first two losses, and did not get a balanced attack in either of the final two defeats.
The Lakers dominated the glass and took care of their end of the court. L.A. will be a tough out for Orlando or Cleveland for NBA supremacy if they continue to pass the ball to players not named Kobe. Odom makes an impact just by being active and energetic. Gasol can capture close-out moments. Ariza is a proven shining player. Sasha Vujacic has athletic attributes ready to be showcased. Walton is a resilient role player with more to prove. Jordan Farmar embodies an attractive young talent. Andrew Bynum has glaring skills and ball-handling tactics. Bryant’s buckets are a winning requirement but sharing the workload give the Lakers are chance to make those momentum-shifting runs during the game. Los Angeles has respectable talent around their best player. Bryant is two titles shy of Michael Jordan. Jackson’s Lakers have been a playoff mainstay for years. Maybe this is the year L.A. wins it all again. It certainly looks like their time and I think there is still room in Jackson’s trophy case.

Parting points: It was a crisp morning, but I just had a blissful bike ride.

Lakers Lambasted

Houston, you have no problem. That is, you do not seem be crumbling courtside without colossal center, Yao Ming. The Rockets manhandled the L.A. Lakers 95-80 on their own terms at the Toyota Center in Thursday night’s Game 6. The series is even at three a piece and I feel like I’ve been tuning in to the NBA’s version of “Men Behaving Badly”. The six games played so far have been closed to fatal with all the physicality. Houston is down their two biggest players with Ming sidelined and Tracy McGrady on the mend for the remainder of the season. Ming’s absence has not caught up to the Rockets yet. They somehow have been able to connect the dots. A suspenseful Game 7 showdown is set up for Sunday in the Staples Center.
The Rockets sizzled in Game 6, scorching the highlight reel while archly accumulating leads they would not relinquish. Houston’s, Luis Scola, got the Rockets off to a flaming start, hitting 14 of his 24 points in the first quarter. Scola has only recently found his swagger and assaulted the Lakers front court in Game 6. The 12 point first quarter lead was increased to 16 by the midway point. The Lakers made a push for the game lead during the third quarter, getting within two points. Carl Landry, Aaron Brooks and Shane Battier passed L.A.’s test though and the Lakers went limping into the final quarter down by nine. Battier came up with a steal and an offensive rebound late in the third and Brooks assisted on Landry’s three-pointer to maintain a comfortable distance.
Kobe Bryant and his teammates never really threatened or dominated like they did on the road in the 118-78 Game 5 victory. Bryant was called for a technical foul by the referees in the second quarter of Game 6. The league has since rescinded the foul. It would have been Kobe’s fifth of the playoffs, bringing him within two of an automatic suspension. Bryant is now back at four technicals and is the best player on the court for both teams. L.A. also has a head coach with nine championship rings.
Kobe endured a slow start in Game 6, but finished scoring 32 points. After bombing for two games in Houston, the Lakers have a chance to put the Rockets away at home. The series was never expected to go the distance. The Rockets have been pensive shooters and fastidious on defense. Houston is a team recharged and energized, relying on underrated players to be difference makers. The Rockets need to pass and shoot with the poise they showed in games one and four. Houston was smothering on defense and decisive and crisp offensively in those games. Ming is an important low-post presence and it was evident in the Game 5 blowout, the Rockets’ big man was missed. Houston was outscored 59-30 in the combined second and third quarters of Game 5. They did not shoot well from the perimeter or pressure L.A. into making mistakes and errant passes. Los Angeles overwhelmed the offense and was resolute in protecting their court. Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol are much stronger and have a sizable advantage, but the Rockets were successful when Brooks and Landry injected life into the defense. Landry, after getting shot in the leg, has been truly remarkable. The athletic Landry can jump through defenders, attack the basket and complete reverse layups with grace. Carl had his best game of the series coming off the bench for Rick Adelmann’s Rockets. He scored 15 points on his way to leaping defenders. Chuck Hayes’ clutch play down the stretch helped keep the Rockets rising.
Scola has struggled against Gasol this entire series and looked nervous against the tall defender. Luis came through with a patient effort at just the right time. Scola plowed through Gasol for layups and three pointers. He and Landry finally played well simultaneously for Houston’s depleted offense. The shallow Rockets front court cannot play inconsistently in Game 7, but must infuriate the Lakers defensively.
Bynum did not have a point or a block in the Game 6 drudging. Houston needs to slow down Bryant, space the floor and make every shot difficult for the Lakers in order to prevail. Brooks’ 26 points in Game 6 were just as essential as Battier and Ron Artest wearing down Kobe. Luke Walton has not stepped up for L.A. He keeps drawing fouls and passing up open shots. Walton doesn’t distribute the ball and the Lakers rely too much on Bryant for open buckets. Jordan Farmar had two big three-pointers in the first quarter, and 13 points on the game. He has performed well as of late and has the ability to stop Brooks from running wild. Los Angeles did not hustle or protect the rim in their three losses this series. They need to show up ready to play Sunday.
There were innumerable accounts of L.A.’s dominance in the playoffs, but the series has been anything but Lakers trademark basketball. This seems like a team simply going through the motions, playing without heart. The team needs a vintage Kobe in Game 7 to pull off the 4-3 series win. The winner faces the upstart Denver Nuggets, who are no easy out.


Parting points: My Saturday play list- “Glycerine” by Bush, “You were meant for me” by Jewel, “Half-truism” by the Offspring, “Knights of Cydonia” by Muse

Ming Man on Mission

Yao Ming collected 28 points and 10 rebounds as Houston bested the Lakers in Los Angeles in Game 1 of the Western Conference semi-finals. Kobe Bryant had 32 points in defeat. Ron Artest added 21 points for the Rockets, who lead the best of seven series against the top seeded Lakers. Houston hit all their foul shots and got the stops down the stretch to pull out the upset road victory. The Rockets scored 30 fourth quarter points, even with Ming being knocked to the floor. The tall center fell when he and Bryant crashed and bashed knees with each other. The seasoned and elite Ming remained in the game, and the Rockets remained unstoppable through the final six minutes to win 100-92.
The scoring starting early for Houston. They held a three point halftime lead and were sharp offensively in the first half. Houston scored more points in each quarter to pace themselves throughout the night against a harsh opponent. L.A. only had 18 buckets in the first quarter and fell behind early. The Lakers never got into a rhythm, missing 7 of 19 free throws. L.A. shot 8 for 24 over the first 12 minutes. They were ineffective from the 3-point line and couldn’t execute on offense. Houston committed turnovers in the second half and L.A. came within one point of snatching the lead. That’s when Yao and the Houston defense attacked the Lakers’ passers and played more consistent basketball. The Rockets scored on nine consecutive possessions. Ming had two blocked shots on the night and Los Angeles had no answer for him or point guard, Aaron Brooks. Brooks was more aggressive and played much more consistently than he did in the series with Portland. He and Artest corroborated the rugged Rocket’s defensive.
The Rockets coasted to an 8 point lead when Yao’s knee buckled and went berserk. Lakers forward, Pau Gasol, cut the Rockets lead to six with a definable dunk and Lamar Odom rebounded on the next possession to reduce the lead with a basket of his own. Odom replaced Andrew Bynum of the Lakers after the center committed two fouls in the first three minutes of the game. Artest and Ming mugged the Lakers with under three minutes left in the game. Yao hit a 20 foot jumper and nailed four free throws and Artest sealed a shot to keep Houston on top. With an 11 point lead and only 1:30 remaining after Shane Battier hit a pair of free throws, the Lakers attempted a Staples Center comeback. Yao’s two free passes finished L.A. for good when time expired. Ming’s 28 points are a personal playoff high for the Chinese all-star. Artest had an equally gigantic night, dishing out 7 assists in the effort.
The Rockets got a scare late in the fourth quarter that reminded fans of the four regular season meetings between the teams. In all four games, the Lakers outscored Houston by an average of 12 points in the fourth quarter. L.A. swept the season series in one-sided games. This time, the Rockets responded late with the help of Ming, Artest and Brooks. The team did not fold. The Rockets cannot win games without Yao. Ming left the game with 4.54 on the clock but returned to rejuvenate the Rockets. He scored 8 points after his return to the game and did not miss any of his six free throws. He had ten free throws all together.
Artest and Battier did a great job in guarding Bryant. Battier and Kyle Lowry were terrific and relentless. They smothered the Lakers on defense and gave their best effort the entire game. They forced the Lakers to rush points and shunned and shrugged off their defense. Battier needed stitches to his left eye in the first quarter after a hard hit from Sasha Vujacic. Shane returned just before halftime. Gasol sat earlier in the quarter with a left eye injury too. He came back to finish with 14 points and 13 rebounds for L.A.. Kobe made three shots in two minutes during the second half to narrow the gap, but Bryant kept missing his points down the stretch. Defensively, the Rockets forced Kobe to take outside shots and Yao and Brooks helped Houston keep the lead by driving the baseline for baskets.
Steady veteran, Derek Fisher, didn’t factor much in the loss for L.A. who has the better frontcourt team. He scored 8 points Monday night. Fisher is not the same player he once was and could not guard second year man, Brooks. Jordan Farmar’s shooting went cold this year as he regressed offensively. Perhaps this is the series he will step up in place of Fisher. He isn’t playing with confidence right now but a playoff performance might snap him out of it. For Houston, Luis Scola led in scoring during the Portland series ,but also did not play a major role last night.
The heavily favored Lakers have a formidable trio with Trevor Ariza, Gasol and Bynum. All play secondary roles to Kobe, but may be the most important players if L.A. is to win the series. We all know Kobe is going to get his points. But Artest and Battier are going to make him work. Houston’s defense ranks among the league’s best and they know the game plan against L.A. They held Kobe last night harassing him into missing 17 shots and giving only five chances at the line.
Gasol is low-post presence and keeps the offense moving. Ariza muscles his way on defense and is a hustling player. Bynum hasn’t performed well this season and the 21 year old struggled in the first round of the playoffs against Utah. It will be increasingly difficult for Andrew to defend Yao. If Bynum can handle the coverage without the Lakers having to double team Ming, L.A. will be able to play a stronger perimeter defense. The Rockets several three point threats but Bynum can mitigate their shooting success if he can contribute his unbelievable skills. He is the L.A. x-factor and many feel the Lakers would have beaten the Celtics with a healthy Bynum last year. Andrew has height, size and quickness for a traditional center.
Guard, Vujacic carved out a niche with his hot shooting during the final week of the season. He’s a promising player who could shake things up when backing up Bryant. Gasol is a tough match for Houston’s Scola. The two are familiar with each other because they played international ball together. Chuck Hayes and Carl Landry may have to be present on the court more often if Scola gets into foul trouble or can’t fend off Gasol. Luckily, the Rockets have that depth at the forward position. They have a suitable crew to be a industrious scoring team.
The Lakers certainly have more weapons offensively and arguably the best clutch player in Bryant. Last night they didn’t show their supremacy. L.A. only shot 44.3% and made only 2 of 18 three point attempts. The Rockets shot 47.9%. The Lakers were being stripped of the ball and shot poorly throughout the Rocket romping. Now it’s in the Lakers’ psyche whether or not they can win an NBA championship. They have to move the ball more and exhibit more patience on offense. Reserve players need to come off the bench for Phil Jackson. L.A. must have quicker passes and execute their prolific pick and roll. When the Lakers took quicker passes, Houston’s defense could not react in the second half last night. L.A. thrived on getting better looks inside and freeing up the circle instead of relying primarily on perimeter shooting.
The Rockets only won 53 games this year but the team is hungry and energetic. Houston already got the monkey off their back by winning a first round playoff series for the first time in forever. They stole a game in Los Angeles and even if they lose Wednesday, can take care of business at the Toyota Center to make it a very attainable series. Let the plot thicken.

Parting points: Posada + Hamstring = trip to the DL; not a good sign for the Yankees