Ok, I'm taking a break from writing about Shanghai. Time for Game 7 of the NBA Finals, Boston and L.A., instant classic. I've been following this whole playoffs with great interest. I can't wait. This is going to be good. Visit this page over the game, I'm not going to miss a second of it.
8:31 pm
I can't watch the Sportscentre pre-game show anymore. Holy shit, Rod Black is fucking horrible. How the hell does the man have a job in broadcasting? Doesn't know a damn thing about basketball, not a sliver of wit in him - I switched over to Jimmy Kimmel. Much better. His segment about Adam Morrison's NBA Finals highlight was hilarious - Morrison in a suit high-fiving Mbenga was the extent of it.
8:50 pm
Come on, let's get it on already. I'm going with the Lakers. Not a blowout, but enough to win comfortably - 6-8 points.
Game start
Here we go. I think Kobe has to go for 40, but if Pau doesn't show up, it's over. Perkins not being available isn't a valid excuse - Bynum's been limping for the entire series. Garnett is going to be key, but never have high hopes for him. He's the dog who's bark is much, much worse than his bite. Gasol's learned not to back down - do you ever see Garnett pounding his chest when someone stands up to his bullshit? But Lakers bench has to step up like in Game 6. Let's see what happens.
1st Quarter, 10:53
Less than 2 minutes into the first quarter, Artest has already taken a stupid shot. Fisher bailed him out with a 3, but they've got to be careful. I'd like to see Bynum get some touches. I love this - the refs are letting them play. They're getting pounded in the paint, no whistle. Love it. What did I just say about Garnett? Pussy in the paint. Gasol gets about 3 offensive rebounds at his expense, Garnett does little else but feebly stretch out a hand.
1st Quarter, 7:33
They're really letting them play. Lakers really showing off their length, crashing the boards like there's money involved. Boston being aggressive on Kobe. He has to recognize that, ball movement is stagnant for the lakers. Yeah, they've really got to contain Rondo's penetration.
1st Quarter, 3:02
The Lakers are just owning the offensive boards. Now they've got Big Baby on Gasol? Can't be worse than what Garnett's doing, but the height advantage is just too much. Lakers are overhandling. Artest remains a liability on offense, spot up shooting or otherwise. They've got to slow down Boston's transition game - don't let Rondo run out. Kobe's getting triple teamed every time, Gasol and Fisher need to get to work.
1st Quarter, End
Notice how Big Baby is probably on of the best in the league at using his body mass to bump people out of the way to get a layup. Two close range layups, clearing out space with his body. Garnett and Gasol both with 2 fouls. Time to see what Odom's made of. Kobe's been ice cold to start the game, just jacking up shots left and right. No more layups, please.....next time Rondo squirts into the paint, send him on his ass. Boston's offense just clicking in the first quarter. 13-3 run to end the game, Boston getting after all the loose balls. Kobe's got to loosen up a bit, Celtics up 23-14.
2nd Quarter, 10:31
Imagine if Rondo has a somewhat decent mid-range shot. They'll let him take that all game long - chances are he'll brick all game long. Lakers letting a lot of easy rebounds just squirt out of their hands. I like Bynum's energy, doing some great things on the offensive glass.
2nd Quarter, 6:35
Both teams just atrocious from 3. My goodness, Artest is one of the most frustrating players to cheer for. One minute, he'll make a completely moronic play, and the next instant, redeem himself with a steal and layup. Yikes. Told you, they've got to contain Rondo. These coast to coast layups are unacceptable. Kobe's got to be playmaker and make shit happen for the Lakers. Tied 25-25.
2nd Quarter, 2:48
Fisher with 2 quick ticky-tack fouls. Don't get it. For a battle-hardened veteran, he makes an awfully large number of these stupid fouls. Still waiting for Kobe to turn on the fire. And just on cue, he makes a deep 2. I like the pace of this game. As long as Lakers keep dominating the boards, it's going to be a good game. Transition defense for the Lakers has to tighten up.
2nd Quarter End
A Scalabrine sighting! Let loose the ginger! Boston's individual defense has been good. Celtics up by 6, Lakers have to take better shots. Give Gasol more looks, Kobe has to stop forcing shots. Bryant, 3-14 FG, Gasol 3-12 FG. The refs have been doing a good job. Can't believe the Lakers are down with that show of absolutely dominating offensive rebounding. Lakers just need to start making some shots. Kobe needs to do a better job of moving the ball. Let's see if any adjustments are made in the second half.
3rd Quarter, 9:45
Does not look good. Boston pushing the ball, getting easy buckets. Lakers just can't shoot for their lives. My goodness, when Artest is your leading scorer...not good. Kobe's got to get going, have I said that already? They better get their act together, or this game is over. Come on, you want to win the championship, right?
3rd Quarter, 7:35
This is frustrating, watching Kobe play like a scrub. Ball is just not moving, he's over-handling, keeps turning it over whenever he tries to dribble into traffic. There's a wall of green jerseys, you're not going to slice through. It has to go through Gasol, just keep feeding him in the post. Come on guys, keep it together.
3rd Quarter, 5:38
Lakers still rebounding hard, crashing the offensive glass. Good to see Odom get going. I thought this was the Laker's offensive game - have your big men run the floor, clean up the offensive boards, or pass for a corner 3. I like Artest pushing on the breakaway. Better than having him touch the ball in a half court set. I need a beer bad. Going for a Sgt. Major India Pale Ale.
3rd Quarter, 2:38
Yes, I love the officiating in this game. No weak fouls called. Kobe tried to draw a shooting foul on Allen, no whistle. Garnett tried to draw a weak flopping charge on Bryant, no whistle. Gasol is taking him to school, both ends of the court. Fisher just slipped and did the splits - off to the locker. The Lakers are 5 points down, 51-56, they need to close out the quarter strong. Right, and Kobe just turned the ball over, trying to pass off his feet. Foul on Rondo.
3rd Quarter End
Brutal offensive game for both teams. Just brutal. Is it just the blanket defense, or just nerves? Kobe just unable to find the basket, Allen unable make a shot since Game 2. I love Gasol's work on the boards, just playing tough. Artest has got to start making these wide, wide, fucking wide open threes. Just an absolute clinic in tough defense for both teams. Pierce has been successful in iso situations, he's the only one who seems to be able to find the basket. This has a been a rough, rough game, championship is still up for grabs.
4th Quarter, 9:00
Celtics up by 4. This is still anyone's game. Both clubs stagnant on offense, just a matter of who's willing to pound the offensive glass and go for second-chance points. Damn, no one's even making their free throws. Everyone looks tired, more so mentally than anything. It's been a long series. I still have faith in the Lakers. Next 9 minutes is going to show us what Kobe's made of.
4th Quarter, 6:29
Excellent defense by the Lakers. Officials have done a great job, made some great calls. Lakers just not taking advantage. Gasol just missed 2 free throws, has missed 5 of 7 so far. Oh finally, Fisher makes a 3. Finally. All tied up at 64.
4th Quarter, 2:20
Boston's in trouble. Just keep sending the Lakers to the line, that's where all their points are coming from. Celtics just unable to make any kind of shot. Still a long way to go before anyone can relax. Lakers defense is a thing of beauty. Help defense is on point, precise. Kobe still over-handling, but damn, 15 rebounds? He's got to move the ball quicker, get rid of it earlier in the shot clock. Gasol is getting it done, scoring, offensive rebounding.
4th Quarter, 1:30
I love this, isolation for Gasol, offensive rebound, gets the layup. Lakers up 76-70.
4th Quarter, 0:51.3
Baboom!! Oh my goodness, back to back to back 3's by Wallace, Artest, and Allen. My goodness. This is the greatest game in the world.
4th Quarter 0:13.0
Rondo for 3!!!!!!!! Aight, calm down, Lakers are still going to pull it off.
4th Quarter, 0:11.7
The Machine just clutch, nails 2 free throws. This one's over, I'm calling it now. It's over, Lakers repeat.
4th Quarter End
Boom, LAKERSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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