I have no doubt the Lakers will be facing the Cavs in the NBA Finals. This was my thought on yesterday's show and well into the 2nd half of last night's eventual LA victory. Then Utah staged another huge comeback, albeit one that fell short. The lead had ballooned to 80-58 and it was garbage time but the Jazz went nuts. I guess no matter how much I think LA and Cleveland are the class of their respective conference, I remain unconvinced either is a great team. In game 2 the Lakers watched a 22 point lead dwindle to 6 with just over 5 minutes left before putting the thing on ice. In the 2nd game between the Cavaliers and Pistons, Cleveland had a 29 point advantage before the Detroit subs made a maniacal run to slice the deficit to 7 with just under 4 minutes left. The NBA is the comeback league for sure, but these are the top seeds against the #8 and true champions have that taste for the jugular. Certainly the early rounds of the post season are about finding that groove to carry you to the title, but we're not witnessing magnificence or a team for the ages.
This does not detract from how entertaining the first round has been. On Sunday when the Blazers lost that heartbreaking Game 4 in Houston, and Boston fell in Double OT at Chicago & the Magic won a tight one at Philly, it marked a milestone.
The first time since 1985 we had 3 NBA playoff games on the same day decided by 3 points or less. Yes, to coin the phrase from those magical times in the Association, the league is once again "Fan Tastic".
To survive and keep this series pulse beating, Portland must play smarter and with more poise. I know they're a young team, but even though the Rockets have a bit more experience with guys like Ron Artest, playoff success is pretty much a mystery to their roster. The Blazer execution at crunch time last game was downright awful at both ends of the floor & of course on the backboards where continued failure to secure defensive rebounds was their downfall.
At least the oddsmakers are on board making them a 5 point favorite. We get 4 games tonight with Houston & Dallas over San Antonio hoping to punch their ticket to round two. In the East, Chicago @ Boston plus Philly @ Orlando are all even at 2 games apiece.
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of course the lakers will face the cavs in the finals. lebron will be waiting for kobe as it will take the lakers more games to win their conference final. kobe will play hard defense like at the olympics, and at times shut down lebron late in games. kobe will ultimately "will" the lakers to victory. he will not loose this time.
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