I don't know what to make of the Suns in this series. I feel that LA is the superior team, but if Phoenix can win game 6 I think they have a real shot. They nearly found a way to win a game they had no business even having a chance in. LA will be relieved if and when the knock out the Suns, IMO.

Way to box out Suns, didn't you all watch the same thing happen to the Thunder?

As much as I dislike Artest, it was a great heads up play to win the game. However, I was pretty nerved out while watching his interview after the game. I know 12 year olds who understand the importance of using a shot clock. Just admit you were wrong, be a man, and move on. Don't make up excuses, which is what he did. That irritated me a bit. Looking forward to game 6 nonetheless.

Kobe/Artest do their best Wall/Cousins impersonation the final seconds of the game.

I think the Lakers will feel pretty confident in a Game 7 at LA. Game 6 is not a must win by any means.

 

:thumb:

 

Yeah, I'm trying to figure out why the Lakers would be so frantic to avoid a decisive game on their home court. Most definitely they want to close it out ASAP, but they're in the favorable position. Phoenix has to win two straight, the last in the Staples Center where the Lakers have yet to lose this post-season. The Lakers still won the game. Give Phoenix credit for battling back and giving themselves a chance to possibly steal a game, but the Lakers outplayed them for much of the night. And, they badly outplayed them when they kept their defensive intensity up.

 

This series is all about LA. Phoenix has shown us what they are. We know what they'll bring every night. Consistent effort and a never quit attitude regardless of the score. That's not enough unless the Lakers help them out by losing focus. The Suns are doing everything they can and need to do to give themselves a chance in this series...the rest depends on which Lakers team shows up.

 

Wouldn't it be something if Phil's amazing 40-something and zero streak of winning series after winning game one and the 3-0 curse were snapped in consecutive nights? You never know.

Kobe/Artest do their best Wall/Cousins impersonation the final seconds of the game.

 

Exactly what I thought when it happened.

:thumb:

 

Yeah, I'm trying to figure out why the Lakers would be so frantic to avoid a decisive game on their home court. Most definitely they want to close it out ASAP, but they're in the favorable position. Phoenix has to win two straight, the last in the Staples Center where the Lakers have yet to lose this post-season. The Lakers still won the game. Give Phoenix credit for battling back and giving themselves a chance to possibly steal a game, but the Lakers outplayed them for much of the night. And, they badly outplayed them when they kept their defensive intensity up.

 

This series is all about LA. Phoenix has shown us what they are. We know what they'll bring every night. Consistent effort and a never quit attitude regardless of the score. That's not enough unless the Lakers help them out by losing focus. The Suns are doing everything they can and need to do to give themselves a chance in this series...the rest depends on which Lakers team shows up.

 

Wouldn't it be something if Phil's amazing 40-something and zero streak of winning series after winning game one and the 3-0 curse were snapped in consecutive nights? You never know.

 

I see it another way. IF Phoenix can win game 6, they have to feel like they have a legit shot to win in the Staples Center. Last night they took the Lakers best shot and didn't play well and still had a chance to win the game. Bryant nearly had a triple double, Gasol had 21 and 9, Odom had 17 and 13, and Fisher put in 22. The Lakers didn't have a great FG% but from their 4 main guys (series wise) shot 52% from the field. The Lakers dominated the board 49-40, had a ton of second chance points, and forced the Suns into 17 turnovers while committing just 10.

 

The Suns got outplayed all game and still had a chance to win.

I see it another way. IF Phoenix can win game 6, they have to feel like they have a legit shot to win in the Staples Center. Last night they took the Lakers best shot and didn't play well and still had a chance to win the game. Bryant nearly had a triple double, Gasol had 21 and 9, Odom had 17 and 13, and Fisher put in 22. The Lakers didn't have a great FG% but from their 4 main guys (series wise) shot 52% from the field. The Lakers dominated the board 49-40, had a ton of second chance points, and forced the Suns into 17 turnovers while committing just 10.

 

The Suns got outplayed all game and still had a chance to win.

 

I wouldn't say they got outplayed all game. They got outplayed badly for a couple of stretches and couldn't overcome it.

 

I don't think the Suns have ever been lacking in confidence. They're a gritty team. Never thought I'd say that about them.

I wouldn't say they got outplayed all game. They got outplayed badly for a couple of stretches and couldn't overcome it.

 

I don't think the Suns have ever been lacking in confidence. They're a gritty team. Never thought I'd say that about them.

 

They got beat in nearly every statistical category, and by alot in many of them.

Ready for a big Celtics W tonight! I'm feeling it, it's going to happen!

Ready for a big Celtics W tonight! I'm feeling it, it's going to happen!

 

Hope you're right. I was going to watch the Legends tonight, but friends wanted to watch the game instead.

I'm loving this game! Nate Robinson is an absolute spark plug.

Nasty Nate Robinson. He's like J.R. Smith, he can be hard to watch if he's on your team but you would hate to play against him. I'm hoping to see a break away dunk from him.

Just disappointing that Orlando couldn't force a 7th game. Best I can hope for now is that the Lakers not only beat the Celtics and get revenge from the previous Finals lost, but that they send Boston back into another 20 years of "rebuilding"

It's funny how Vinsanity gets aggressive and actually plays well after his team is out of the game.

 

It's also funny how last season the Orlando Magic were the future of the NBA with their unique makeup of Dwight Howard and 11 perimeter players. Until they do it, I'm skeptical that a team can ride one big man and three pointers to a championship. Especially a big man that can be single covered if necessary because his offensive game is non-existent outside of three feet.

 

Now, if the Lakers will stay focused and take care of business, we can get the rematch we want.

 

I figured Boston would come out with more intensity and close the series out, but I was expecting a much more competitive game. The only time Orlando played well in this series was when the pressure was off for two games after they fell behind 3-0.