x2 more FTs than Celtics, when the Lakers really weren't playing all that aggressive. They've gotten some calls in Boston, their team just hasn't played that well.
If Kobe's teammates take the night off again and shoot 18/51, won't happen. Tonight is exactly how the Celts wants these games played: 5 vs 1. Gasol needs to put up a 25/10 or 20/10 in game 6 and Odom has to contribute. I don't know if Kobe has two more 38-point games left in him. No more two-day rests between games.
Kobe never went to Gasol, Odom, Artest, or Bynum. He kept jacking up shots and got bailed out by the refs numerous times which helped pad his stats (less field goal attempts). When your number 2 option only takes 12 shots, something is wrong. Kobe took 35% of the shots. His problem has always been that he is a ball hog. Other players like Tracy and Pierce can do that because they take those shots in rhythm, but Kobe gets in the habit of jacking up bad shots. Don't spare him any of the blame.
Everything in my head, and how I've seen the NBA turn a dark leaf, tells that the Lakers are going to win by a good margin or near the end of game. But, if the Celtics somehow put it off. I'll be kind of happy this summer, as next year comes when Rockets get ready to unseat the Lakers in the West.
Most people voted Celtics in 6 games. Guess how much information you can deduct from that alone? I'd argue that they would be just as accurate as yours.
Kobe was spectacular. But he wasn't blameless because some of the shots he missed were incredibly dumb. I got the feeling his teammates were feeling tight and he needed to take over the game. The problem was he took over in the 3rd quarter instead of late in the 4th. Still, if he hadn't gone ballistic when he did, the game would have been put out of reach. At the same time, I'm glad it was a long, drawn-out loss for the Lakers instead of the Celts putting it away in the 3rd quarter. This is a very hard loss to bounce back from. Kobe completely exhausted himself for naught. In game 6, Kobe will play facilitator in the 1st half and save himself. It will be on his teammates to answer the bell.
Well the lakers nation is upset they didn't want to pay Ariza and got Artest instead. Twitter is going up in flames right now.(logging off for the night)
Kobe went off in the 3rd but the score never really changed. I knew it was over then because all the shots Kobe took were tough shots. Tough to win that way. The Lakers need to get Gasol involved.
Lakers in 7. Put the house on it. Celtics needed a record game and a triple double to beat them on the road last time... that won't be happening again.
Phil made a great point. Lakers played bad, Boston played great. Boston still only scored 92 points in boston. it took a nba world record to win game 2 in LA. opening Line, Lakers a 6.5 favorite.
i'd bet both my testicles that the name "trevor ariza" ran across Phil's mind in the last hour of play. guaranteed.
Do you realize this is a Rockets message board and that some of the votes here may be swayed because the Lakers treated the Rockets like assholes last year in the playoffs? No one else went out and made a prediction. I posted that after the Lakers were crushing the Celtics in game one. I believe some were calling the Celtics old and crusty. Hopefully I get really good at this and even if I don't make any money for myself, maybe I can help a few Clutch Fans out who do gamble.
Best moment of the series so far: JVG yelling "QUEENSBRIDGE!!!" to Artestes after Ron pulled out that p***y flop.
