Nba Finals: Celtics Vs. The Lakers

[mauiguy90]

The classic match up between the Celtics and Lakers has finally arrived. Although I think the Lakers are a great team, I believe they are over hyped and that the Big Three of Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce will come through in 6 games. Winning homecourt will be the key. Today's game should be a huge battle that may decide the series!

Edited June 9, 2008 by mauiguy90

[Shotime]

The classic match up between the Celtics and Lakers has finally arrived. Although I think the Lakers are a great team, I believe they are over hyped and that the Big Three of Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce will come through in 6 games. Winning homecourt will be the key. Today's game should be a huge battle that may decide the series!

You should have been a handicapper. What was the line on the series? Lakers look like they died. I'm watching the game in Thailand. Does that make it relevant?

[mauiguy90]

The classic match up between the Celtics and Lakers has finally arrived. Although I think the Lakers are a great team, I believe they are over hyped and that the Big Three of Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce will come through in 6 games. Winning homecourt will be the key. Today's game should be a huge battle that may decide the series!

You should have been a handicapper. What was the line on the series? Lakers look like they died. I'm watching the game in Thailand. Does that make it relevant?

Was it Yogi Berra who said "Its not over till its over". Great comeback by the Lakers!

[huggybear]

The classic match up between the Celtics and Lakers has finally arrived. Although I think the Lakers are a great team, I believe they are over hyped and that the Big Three of Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce will come through in 6 games. Winning homecourt will be the key. Today's game should be a huge battle that may decide the series!

You should have been a handicapper. What was the line on the series? Lakers look like they died. I'm watching the game in Thailand. Does that make it relevant?

Was it Yogi Berra who said "Its not over till its over". Great comeback by the Lakers!

The Celts went 0-fer on the road and seven games with both Atlanta and .........whoever they saw before Detroit (bad memory).

Definitely don't count the Lakers out, just yet.

[mauiguy90]

The Celts went 0-fer on the road and seven games with both Atlanta and .........whoever they saw before Detroit (bad memory).

Definitely don't count the Lakers out, just yet.

Yep, the Lakers made an amazing comeback at the end of game 2. The Celtics were lucky to hold on. However, now LA needs to win on its homecourt. They should come on strong in game 3. Question is whether they can win 3 games in a row at home....

P.S. Huggy, Celts beat defending Eastern Champs Cleveland before Detroit.

Edited June 9, 2008 by mauiguy90

[huggybear]

The Celts went 0-fer on the road and seven games with both Atlanta and .........whoever they saw before Detroit (bad memory).

Definitely don't count the Lakers out, just yet.

Yep, the Lakers made an amazing comeback at the end of game 2. The Celtics were lucky to hold on. However, now LA needs to win on its homecourt. They should come on strong in game 3. Question is whether they can win 3 games in a row at home....

P.S. Huggy, Celts beat defending Eastern Champs Cleveland before Detroit.

"P.S. Huggy, Celts beat defending Eastern Champs Cleveland before Detroit."

Yep, dawned on me later. Coffee had worn off so my synapse were a little slow firing

Cheers, HB

[mauiguy90]

Definitely don't count the Lakers out, just yet.

The Lakers are fighting for their survival in this championship series. They haven't beaten the Celtics yet this season. They are favored by 9 points in game 3.

[traveldog]

well the Lakers won...barely. Have to believe both teams will play better on Thursday(friday am Thai time). Other than incredible Kobe and Vujacic the Lakers look timid..especially Odom and Gasol...The Celtics not much better...Where has Garnett gone? Pierce may be actually hurt...that whole knee thing may be a serious injury...never believed that crap about him faking it...he is a tuff tuff competitor. So predictions???? Lakers sweep the next two to go up 3-2 and then it gets real interesting in Boston....Go Lakers!

[Shotime]

Is it true what Kobie said about the NBA manipulating the games? I only caught a little of it. He has got to be the stupidest billionaire in the world. Such a great BBall player, but what an idiot. After all his troubles, you'd think he'd learned to keep his mouth shut. It was always something people said, but for him to come out and say it is unbelievable. Maybe not unbelievable. After his last fiasco, I can't say that. I'm going to read the papers from home. I can't wait till Friday morning or Saturday?

Edited June 12, 2008 by Shotime

[lomatopo]

I hate the 2-3-2 format for the Finals.

The Celtics won both regular season games against the Lakers but those were back in November and December.

The Celtics lead the Finals series 8:2 over the Lakers (including Minneapolis). 1968-69 might have been one of the best finals ever as the Lakers had a formidible line up (Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain) but still lost to the C's at the Forum, with the victory balloons remaining in place.

The Celtics have 16 NBA Championships and the Lakers have 13.

With a win I think Phil Jackson will exceed Red Auerbach as the winningest coach (measured by championships), each has 9, although Auerbach has a total of 16 rings as a result of being GM and/or President.

I guess I expect this to go to a 7th game; I arrive BOS (from BKK) ~ 90 minutes before tip-off of the potential 7th game, will drive by the TD Banknorth Garden and be with family/friends to watch, hopefully.

Nearly a triple banner year for Boston sports fans.

Edited June 12, 2008 by lomatopo

[huggybear]

well the Lakers won...barely. Have to believe both teams will play better on Thursday(friday am Thai time). Other than incredible Kobe and Vujacic the Lakers look timid..especially Odom and Gasol...The Celtics not much better...Where has Garnett gone? Pierce may be actually hurt...that whole knee thing may be a serious injury...never believed that crap about him faking it...he is a tuff tuff competitor. So predictions???? Lakers sweep the next two to go up 3-2 and then it gets real interesting in Boston....Go Lakers!

I'm with ya, traveldog. Go Lakers !

Pierce's injury? Sometimes you can have a tendon in your knee sort of snap, crackle and pop, but then you are o.k. I think he just had a freak feeling and is fine. It's happened to me a bunch of times, also I've torn a lig in my knee, and sprained, and you definitely are not out hooping when that happens. Your knee swells up and range of motion is dust.

What happened to Garnett? Gasol is too long for the guy.

Also this 2-3-2 format for the final sucks. With so many days between games they certainly could of done 2-2-1-1-1.

[mauiguy90]

well the Lakers won...barely. Have to believe both teams will play better on Thursday(friday am Thai time). Other than incredible Kobe and Vujacic the Lakers look timid..especially Odom and Gasol...The Celtics not much better...Where has Garnett gone? Pierce may be actually hurt...that whole knee thing may be a serious injury...never believed that crap about him faking it...he is a tuff tuff competitor. So predictions???? Lakers sweep the next two to go up 3-2 and then it gets real interesting in Boston....Go Lakers!

Have to agree that neither team played very well in game 3 but the Lakers did pull it out. I really don't know what's going on with Garnett as he plays hot and cold. In game one he was hot for the first half, then couldn't hit the backboard. Friend of mine said that Garnett chokes--we'll see tomorrow...Lakers still on the hot seat but if they win 2 in a row, then the Celtics will have a lot of pressure in game 5.

The line is the Lakers by 7 1/2 points...My pick is still the Celtics in 6 but it all depends on Paul Pierce. If he is aggressive offensively and stays out of foul trouble, the Celtics will win. If not, game 7 here we come!

FYI Game is Friday 8 a.m.

Edited June 12, 2008 by mauiguy90

[Jimjim]

Is it true what Kobie said about the NBA manipulating the games? I only caught a little of it. He has got to be the stupidest billionaire in the world. Such a great BBall player, but what an idiot. After all his troubles, you'd think he'd learned to keep his mouth shut. It was always something people said, but for him to come out and say it is unbelievable. Maybe not unbelievable. After his last fiasco, I can't say that. I'm going to read the papers from home. I can't wait till Friday morning or Saturday?

You obviously haven't been following the story and are way off in your assessment. It's not what Kobe said, it's what a former ref who is in trouble for gambling and referring in games he bet on said. The journalists are just asking all the big players in the Finals questions about this, especially since the ref said that game 6 of the Western Conference Finals in 2002 between the Kings and the Lakers was rigged in the Lakers favor by the league. Kobe was only responding to questions. Google it and you can fill yourself in: Tim Donaghy

[lomatopo]

Wow. What a comeback by the Celtics in game 4! Very, very impressive.

[mauiguy90]

I guess I expect this to go to a 7th game; I arrive BOS (from BKK) ~ 90 minutes before tip-off of the potential 7th game, will drive by the TD Banknorth Garden and be with family/friends to watch, hopefully.

Doesn't look like will reach a game 7. Yep, stunning comeback by the Celtics! Posey had a great game and hit a clutch 3 to take the lead over the Lakers. And that reverse layup by Ray Allen was classic! The series is not over but the Lakers must be hurting tonight.

[huggybear]

I guess I expect this to go to a 7th game; I arrive BOS (from BKK) ~ 90 minutes before tip-off of the potential 7th game, will drive by the TD Banknorth Garden and be with family/friends to watch, hopefully.

Doesn't look like will reach a game 7. Yep, stunning comeback by the Celtics! Posey had a great game and hit a clutch 3 to take the lead over the Lakers. And that reverse layup by Ray Allen was classic! The series is not over but the Lakers must be hurting tonight.

the fat lady is warming up but we are going to keep her offstage until Boston

[mauiguy90]

the fat lady is warming up but we are going to keep her offstage until Boston

I don't know about the fat lady but think the Celtics are very hungry. Its going to take a monumental effort by the Lakers to stop the Celtics from winning game 5. Would love to see the series go longer but as Pierce said, the Celtics are so close to victory "they can taste it." Hoping for a tremendous game and a furious finish!

[huggybear]

the fat lady is warming up but we are going to keep her offstage until Boston

I don't know about the fat lady but think the Celtics are very hungry. Its going to take a monumental effort by the Lakers to stop the Celtics from winning game 5. Would love to see the series go longer but as Pierce said, the Celtics are so close to victory "they can taste it." Hoping for a tremendous game and a furious finish!

see you in Boston

[steelepulse]

I'm a big laker fan but I must say their Matador/Swiss cheese defense needs to be vastly improved if they are going to beat Boston in Boston.

[mauiguy90]

the fat lady is warming up but we are going to keep her offstage until Boston

Looks like the fat lady might be losing a bit of weight. If the Lakers win tomorrow, she might have to learn a different tune! My 2 baht are still on the Celtics in 6, however, if it reaches game 7, the Celtics themselves may be singing a swan song!

P.S. The line is Celtics by 4. Gametime 8 am?

Edited June 17, 2008 by mauiguy90

[IMA_FARANG]

I'm a big laker fan but I must say their Matador/Swiss cheese defense needs to be vastly improved if they are going to beat Boston in Boston.

Cynical bas##rd that I am, I expect it will go to game 7. I'm a Celtic fan, so I hope they will win. However, doesn't anyone realise that every game that is played makes a lot of money not only for the teams but for the players. So why not have a 7 game series? Just means more profits to divy up, doesn't it?

[GaiYaang]

I'm a big laker fan but I must say their Matador/Swiss cheese defense needs to be vastly improved if they are going to beat Boston in Boston.

Cynical bas##rd that I am, I expect it will go to game 7. I'm a Celtic fan, so I hope they will win. However, doesn't anyone realise that every game that is played makes a lot of money not only for the teams but for the players. So why not have a 7 game series? Just means more profits to divy up, doesn't it?

Game start in a few hour, hope the Lakers win tonight. Game 7 sound good, that will give Lakers a chance.

No team has ever come back from 3-1.

[lomatopo]

mauiguy90 was very prescient! Celts crushed the Lakers 131-92 to win in six. Wow! Congratulations, a great team effort. Warm up the Duck Boats (Thursday 11 AM local time).

So close to having concurrent MLB, NFL and NBA titles, but still possible in the future.

However, doesn't anyone realise that every game that is played makes a lot of money not only for the teams but for the players. So why not have a 7 game series? Just means more profits to divy up, doesn't it?

For obvious reasons revenue is only shared, and player/personnel pay-outs based, on the first four games.

Edited June 18, 2008 by lomatopo

[mauiguy90]

Game start in a few hour, hope the Lakers win tonight. Game 7 sound good, that will give Lakers a chance.

No team has ever come back from 3-1.

Sadly, the Lakers did not show up for game 6. Best defensive play they made was when Odom poked Ray Allen in the eye, which resulted in Allen being out for the 2nd quarter. It appears that only made KG angry and he took it out on the Lakers by scoring 17 pts in the 1st half. When Allen came back, he scored 3's relentlessly, tying a championship record of 7 3 pointers in a game. In the 4th quarter, KG fouled Odom very hard. Vengeance is mine, sayeth KG!

[GaiYaang]

Game start in a few hour, hope the Lakers win tonight. Game 7 sound good, that will give Lakers a chance.

No team has ever come back from 3-1.

Sadly, the Lakers did not show up for game 6. Best defensive play they made was when Odom poked Ray Allen in the eye, which resulted in Allen being out for the 2nd quarter. It appears that only made KG angry and he took it out on the Lakers by scoring 17 pts in the 1st half. When Allen came back, he scored 3's relentlessly, tying a championship record of 7 3 pointers in a game. In the 4th quarter, KG fouled Odom very hard. Vengeance is mine, sayeth KG!

You're right they did not show up. Can't not beleived they lost by 39 points thou.

I'm sure Shaq O. was happy.

[huggybear]

Game start in a few hour, hope the Lakers win tonight. Game 7 sound good, that will give Lakers a chance.

No team has ever come back from 3-1.

Sadly, the Lakers did not show up for game 6. Best defensive play they made was when Odom poked Ray Allen in the eye, which resulted in Allen being out for the 2nd quarter. It appears that only made KG angry and he took it out on the Lakers by scoring 17 pts in the 1st half. When Allen came back, he scored 3's relentlessly, tying a championship record of 7 3 pointers in a game. In the 4th quarter, KG fouled Odom very hard. Vengeance is mine, sayeth KG!

You're right they did not show up. Can't not beleived they lost by 39 points thou.

I'm sure Shaq O. was happy.

Congratulations Green. It's good to see old time warriors like KG, Pierce and Allen, guys who have been on some really bad teams win it all. Good for them.

Purple and gold will be back in a HUGE way next year. Bynum at center and Gasol as a PF is going to cause a lot of problems. Get your future bets in now !