2010 NBA Finals - Celtics vs Lakers

CmWYNNE3 · 05-31-2010, 12:43 AM

Game 1 Thu. June 3 9:00 PM ET on ABC
Game 2 Sun. June 6 8:00 PM ET on ABC
Game 3 Tue. June 8 9:00 PM ET on ABC
Game 4 Thu. June 10 9:00 PM ET on ABC
Game 5 Sun. June 13 8:00 PM ET on ABC*
Game 6 Tue. June 15 9:00 PM ET on ABC*
Game 7 Thu. June 17 9:00 PM ET on ABC*

LAL 0 - BOS 0

Berlin21 · 05-31-2010, 08:12 AM

voted for Lakers in 6,just because Kobe is one of favs.....

mvpjordan23 · 05-31-2010, 02:27 PM

Lakers in 6. Celtics are a great team and they defiently have what it takes to win even away from home and I think they ve had a great playoffs in the 4 seed but I think as long as Kobe and the Lakers stay focused and Artest does his job guarding Pierce(thats what they signed him for) I think they will get revenge from the 08 finals at least I hope! GO LAKERS!

CmWYNNE3 · 06-02-2010, 11:33 PM

Phil Jackson loves the game within the game. Heading into Thursday's Game 1 of the NBA Finals with the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics, one piques his curiosity more than the rest.

"I'm intrigued by the [Kevin] Garnett-Pau Gasol matchup. I think that's a really good one," he said Wednesday after the Lakers completed practice.

"Kevin is like the force of [Boston's] defense, he's really the glue that kind of holds their defense together with his activity level, his ability to help and recover on guys," Jackson continued. "Pau is the guy we have to have be a part of the scoring combo with Kobe. So he has to provide some of that for us in this series against probably one of the top defenders in the game."

Gasol's performance was generally seen as disappointing during the 2008 Finals, in which he averaged 14.7 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in six games, facing primarily Garnett and Kendrick Perkins. Like the rest of his teammates, Gasol had a subpar Game 6, making four field goals and turning the ball over five times in 32 minutes as the Lakers lost 131-92 and Boston clinched the title.

Garnett was the Defensive Player of the Year in 2008. Since, he's struggled with injuries, undergoing surgery to his right knee in May 2009.

Still, he's still a formidable opponent, says Gasol.

"I see a little bit of difference [since the surgery], but he's still very effective and he's still one of their team leaders," he said. "You've got to respect everything that he does and brings to the table. The leadership, the aggressiveness, and he's going to compete no matter what. He's proven that through the injury."

The Celtics got the best of Gasol two seasons ago, but Garnett says the experience makes Gasol a more dangerous player in the sequel.

"Pau's one of the best post players in this game," he said. "He's a lot more experienced now. He has a title under his belt. Anytime you throw experience with a guy, and desire, it makes him overall better."

Garnett is among the more noted trash-talkers in the league, but Gasol says he doesn't hear much when he's on the floor with him.

"I don't feel like he talks that much to me. At an earlier stage [in my career] he did because that's kind of his game to certain guys, that he likes to intimidate you like that verbally or physically. But we'll be ready for whatever," he said."If anything, I try for that to motivate me and actually get me pissed off and really attack him."

For his part, Garnett doesn't know if he's slowed his verbal barrage towards Gasol over the years.

"I don't keep up with who I talk to, the dialogue, or what I'm saying or whatever. Pau and I have had countless battles through the years," he said. "We've both been in the league a while now, and I can't recall none of the conversations that we've had, either good or bad."

Brian Kamenetzky covers the Lakers for ESPNLosAngeles.com

mvpjordan23 · 06-04-2010, 02:23 PM

1 down 3 to go!

**hockeytown** · 06-04-2010, 11:36 PM

I really don't want either team to win...tired of Celtics and Lakers...Titles need to be won by some other teams...I will go with the Lakers I guess in 6 games

mvpjordan23 · 06-08-2010, 04:31 PM

Great win by the Celtics Sunday. I love it when records get broke too. Congrats to Ray Allen. I really hope the reffs let the two teams play tonight and I hope the Lakers can pull this one out! I hope Phil Jacksons 48-0 streak after winning game 1 of a playoff series continues :-)

mvpjordan23 · 06-10-2010, 02:22 PM

Cant wait for game 4!

DunkingDurant35 · 06-13-2010, 11:56 PM

Boston took the 3-2 advantage tonight in their final home game, but now they have to win one more at L.A. - think they can do it?

mvpjordan23 · 06-14-2010, 12:51 AM

I think they can but I do not want them too. I think other Lakers should step up better at home. Lakers did what they had to get one in Boston.