By BOB BAUM (AP)
PHOENIX — The Phoenix bench finally delivered as advertised, and it could hardly have come at a better time.
Channing Frye broke out of a horrendous shooting slump by making four 3-pointers for 14 points, and the Suns pulled away in the fourth quarter for the second game in a row to beat the Los Angeles Lakers 115-106 on Tuesday night and tie the Western Conference finals at two games apiece.
A series that looked like a Lakers' breeze a week ago is all even heading to Game 5 on Thursday night in Los Angeles.
The Suns reserves, considered an advantage entering the series but largely ineffective through three games, outscored their Laker counterparts 54-20. Leandro Barbosa scored 14 on 6-of-8 shooting and Jared Dudley added 11 points. Goran Dragic ran the show at point and had eight points and eight assists in 18 minutes.
Amare Stoudemire led Phoenix with 21 points. Steve Nash, playing with a broken nose, had 15 points and eight assists.
Kobe Bryant had 38 points and 10 assists as the reigning NBA champions fought back to lead briefly early in the fourth before the Suns backups stole the show.
Phoenix coach Alvin Gentry kept all five reserves in the game for almost the first nine minutes of the final quarter, and they produced an 18-3 run, and the Lakers never recovered. When Nash re-entered with 3:05 to play, those subs — usually playing against the Los Angeles starters — had turned an 87-85 deficit into a 103-94 lead.
"We believe in our bench," Gentry said. "Tonight they played as well as they could play."
Frye had made 1-of-21 shots in the series and missed 18 in a row when his second shot of the night, a 3-pointer, finally fell to the roar of the home crowd. Continue reading here...
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Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Celtics smother Orlando for 3-0 series lead
By Ros Krasny
BOSTON (Reuters) - The Boston Celtics tightened their grip on the Eastern Conference finals with a crushing 94-71 win over the Orlando Magic on Saturday.
The Celtics lead the best-of-seven series 3-0 and could wrap up a trip to the NBA finals as soon as Monday on home court.
"They're playing hard, they're playing together, they're playing like a team that wants to win a championship," Orlando center Dwight Howard told reporters.
Fielding a starting lineup of battle-tested veterans, the Celtics are hoping to reproduce the form that helped them to a 17th NBA title in 2008.
Celtics coach Doc Rivers, however, downplayed comparisons.
"We haven't scratched what we did in '08," Rivers told reporters.
Six Celtics reached double figures in the team's sixth consecutive playoff win. Forward Glen Davis top-scored with 17 points off the bench, while forward Paul Pierce added 15 points and guard Ray Allen 14.
"It's unselfish basketball," said Rivers. "We keep talking about letting the ball find the open guy. You don't have to find it yourself." Continue reading
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Down 2-0, this Magic act is finished Orlando plays harder and better, but still can’t beat Celtics
BOSTON (Reuters) - The Boston Celtics tightened their grip on the Eastern Conference finals with a crushing 94-71 win over the Orlando Magic on Saturday.
The Celtics lead the best-of-seven series 3-0 and could wrap up a trip to the NBA finals as soon as Monday on home court.
"They're playing hard, they're playing together, they're playing like a team that wants to win a championship," Orlando center Dwight Howard told reporters.
Fielding a starting lineup of battle-tested veterans, the Celtics are hoping to reproduce the form that helped them to a 17th NBA title in 2008.
Celtics coach Doc Rivers, however, downplayed comparisons.
"We haven't scratched what we did in '08," Rivers told reporters.
Six Celtics reached double figures in the team's sixth consecutive playoff win. Forward Glen Davis top-scored with 17 points off the bench, while forward Paul Pierce added 15 points and guard Ray Allen 14.
"It's unselfish basketball," said Rivers. "We keep talking about letting the ball find the open guy. You don't have to find it yourself." Continue reading
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Down 2-0, this Magic act is finished Orlando plays harder and better, but still can’t beat Celtics
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Lakers dismantle Suns, again
By Dan Robson, CBC Sports
Like an older brother giving a younger sibling a faint hope of winning in a game of driveway pickup — the Los Angeles Lakers toyed with the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night.
The Lakers allowed the Suns to stick with them for three quarters in Game 2 of the NBA Western Conference finals, but pulled ahead in the fourth en route to a 124-112 win and a 2-0 lead in the series.
Grant Hill dropped 17 of his 23 points in the third quarter and the Suns entered the final frame knotted with the Lakers at 90. For a moment, it looked as though the Suns had a fighting chance.
But it was getting late. And the Lakers had homework to do, or some television to watch. Game over.
Pau Gasol scored 14 points in the fourth, finishing with a total of 29, as the Lakers outscored the lacklustre Suns 34-22 in the final frame.
Kobe Bryant complemented Gasol's effort with 21 points and a Steve Nash-like 13 assists as the Lakers captured their eighth straight playoff win.
Jason Richardson dropped 29 points for the visiting Suns, adding to Hill's 23.
For the second straight game, Lakers fans chanted, "We want Boston, we want Boston," with many filing out of the Staples Centre before the final buzzer, feeling certain of victory.
"We've been able to play both styles of basketball," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "We like to control the pace, but we feel comfortable if it's an accelerated pace."
Nash's 15 assists were marred by five turnovers. He added 11 points in the losing effort.
Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/sports/basketball/story/2010/05/20/sp-suns-lakers.html#ixzz0oRr4O97k
NBA Game Recap
Like an older brother giving a younger sibling a faint hope of winning in a game of driveway pickup — the Los Angeles Lakers toyed with the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night.
The Lakers allowed the Suns to stick with them for three quarters in Game 2 of the NBA Western Conference finals, but pulled ahead in the fourth en route to a 124-112 win and a 2-0 lead in the series.
Grant Hill dropped 17 of his 23 points in the third quarter and the Suns entered the final frame knotted with the Lakers at 90. For a moment, it looked as though the Suns had a fighting chance.
But it was getting late. And the Lakers had homework to do, or some television to watch. Game over.
Pau Gasol scored 14 points in the fourth, finishing with a total of 29, as the Lakers outscored the lacklustre Suns 34-22 in the final frame.
Kobe Bryant complemented Gasol's effort with 21 points and a Steve Nash-like 13 assists as the Lakers captured their eighth straight playoff win.
Jason Richardson dropped 29 points for the visiting Suns, adding to Hill's 23.
For the second straight game, Lakers fans chanted, "We want Boston, we want Boston," with many filing out of the Staples Centre before the final buzzer, feeling certain of victory.
"We've been able to play both styles of basketball," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "We like to control the pace, but we feel comfortable if it's an accelerated pace."
Nash's 15 assists were marred by five turnovers. He added 11 points in the losing effort.
Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/sports/basketball/story/2010/05/20/sp-suns-lakers.html#ixzz0oRr4O97k
NBA Game Recap
Down 2-0, this Magic act is finished Orlando plays harder and better, but still can’t beat Celtics
By Mike Celizic
NBCSports.com
The Orlando Magic played harder Tuesday and they played better. And they still couldn’t beat the Boston Celtics.
So, even though all things are possible, some are more possible than others, and a comeback by the Magic isn’t one of them. They’re down 0-2 and going on the road against a veteran team of champions.
It’s over.
You don’t lose the first two at home in the NBA conference finals and come back to win the series. You can do that in hockey and baseball, but you can’t do it in basketball unless you’re a great, great team, and Orlando does not meet that description.
The only thing that can save Orlando now is a miracle, and it would have to be a good one, too, something biblical, and none of that New Testament stuff. No, this calls for a fire-and-brimstone, sun-standing-still-in-the-sky Old Testament miracle. Or two.
That makes an Orlando comeback as likely as Sarah Palin declaring her undying love of Keith Olbermann or a border collie swearing off chasing Frisbies. Continue reading here...
GAME Recap from NBA.com
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Celtics smother Magic 92-88, take 1-0 series lead
Monday, May 17, 2010
Kobe powers Lakers past Suns to open NBA semi-final
(AFP)
LOS ANGELES — Kobe Bryant scored 40 points and the Los Angeles Lakers ripped Phoenix 128-107 in the opening game of the NBA Western Conference finals.
Bryant scored 21 points in the third quarter, his highest-scoring period in any game this season, despite not having practiced in the past week with the reigning NBA champion Lakers due to nagging knee injuries.
The Lakers, who host game two in the best-of-seven series on Wednesday, hope to advance to a third consecutive NBA Finals, where they would face the winner of the Eastern Conference championship series between Orlando and Boston.
Los Angeles ended the first quarter with an 18-4 run to grab a 33-26 lead, the Suns missing nine of their last 11 shots in a period that ended with a baseline basket by Bryant at the buzzer.
The Lakers pushed the lead to 62-55 at half-time, with Lamar Odom having 15 points and eight rebounds in the first two quarters.
"I just wanted to stay focused and I was able to do that," Odom said.
Continue reading here...
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LOS ANGELES — Kobe Bryant scored 40 points and the Los Angeles Lakers ripped Phoenix 128-107 in the opening game of the NBA Western Conference finals.
Bryant scored 21 points in the third quarter, his highest-scoring period in any game this season, despite not having practiced in the past week with the reigning NBA champion Lakers due to nagging knee injuries.
The Lakers, who host game two in the best-of-seven series on Wednesday, hope to advance to a third consecutive NBA Finals, where they would face the winner of the Eastern Conference championship series between Orlando and Boston.
Los Angeles ended the first quarter with an 18-4 run to grab a 33-26 lead, the Suns missing nine of their last 11 shots in a period that ended with a baseline basket by Bryant at the buzzer.
The Lakers pushed the lead to 62-55 at half-time, with Lamar Odom having 15 points and eight rebounds in the first two quarters.
"I just wanted to stay focused and I was able to do that," Odom said.
Continue reading here...
Game Recap
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Sunday, May 16, 2010
Celtics smother Magic 92-88, take 1-0 series lead
By ANTONIO GONZALEZ (AP)
ORLANDO, Fla. — The hair is a little grayer. The ankles and knees no longer so sturdy. Even with a roster full of aging superstars, the Boston Celtics are still standing tall.
Too old to chase a title? Not these days.
Ray Allen scored 25 points, Paul Pierce had 22 and the Celtics used smothering defense to beat the Orlando Magic 92-88 on Sunday in the Eastern Conference finals opener.
Hampered by injuries, the Celtics literally limped their way through parts of the regular season. All that seems a distant memory now.
"I honestly say we lost ourselves," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "I think we've found ourselves again."
Rasheed Wallace added 13 points as the Celtics built a 20-point lead, then held on late to snap Orlando's 14-game winning streak. They held the Magic to 41 percent shooting — 22 percent from 3-point range — in displaying that rough and tough defense that was once their staple.
"There were stretches in the season, we know each other so well now, where we were becoming less patient with each other," Allen said. "We were getting on each other a little too much. We can take it, but we respected each other.
"When we started the playoffs, we said teams are going to hit us, they're going to attack us. But when somebody scores on us, which they will, we go get the ball out and come back."
Vince Carter had 23 points and Jameer Nelson finished with 20 for Orlando, which cut the lead to two in the final seconds but simply ran out of time, looking rusty after a six-day layoff. Dwight Howard was limited to 13 points and 12 rebounds, nowhere near the dominant force the Magic need to win a title.
Game 2 in the best-of-seven series is Tuesday night in Orlando.
"I don't think it was rusty. Just anxious," Howard said. "We dug ourselves a hole, and it was tough to get back from." Continue reading here
NBA TV Game recap
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NBA Conference Finals is here - watch it live
ORLANDO, Fla. — The hair is a little grayer. The ankles and knees no longer so sturdy. Even with a roster full of aging superstars, the Boston Celtics are still standing tall.
Too old to chase a title? Not these days.
Ray Allen scored 25 points, Paul Pierce had 22 and the Celtics used smothering defense to beat the Orlando Magic 92-88 on Sunday in the Eastern Conference finals opener.
Hampered by injuries, the Celtics literally limped their way through parts of the regular season. All that seems a distant memory now.
"I honestly say we lost ourselves," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "I think we've found ourselves again."
Rasheed Wallace added 13 points as the Celtics built a 20-point lead, then held on late to snap Orlando's 14-game winning streak. They held the Magic to 41 percent shooting — 22 percent from 3-point range — in displaying that rough and tough defense that was once their staple.
"There were stretches in the season, we know each other so well now, where we were becoming less patient with each other," Allen said. "We were getting on each other a little too much. We can take it, but we respected each other.
"When we started the playoffs, we said teams are going to hit us, they're going to attack us. But when somebody scores on us, which they will, we go get the ball out and come back."
Vince Carter had 23 points and Jameer Nelson finished with 20 for Orlando, which cut the lead to two in the final seconds but simply ran out of time, looking rusty after a six-day layoff. Dwight Howard was limited to 13 points and 12 rebounds, nowhere near the dominant force the Magic need to win a title.
Game 2 in the best-of-seven series is Tuesday night in Orlando.
"I don't think it was rusty. Just anxious," Howard said. "We dug ourselves a hole, and it was tough to get back from." Continue reading here
NBA TV Game recap
Related Article(s):
NBA Conference Finals is here - watch it live
NBA Conference Finals is here - watch it live
Four NBA teams are left. Who will advance to the NBA Finals? It will start today 3:30PM ET, Boston Celtics against Orlando Magic.
Celtics vs Magic
Magic has the home court advantage all through out the playoffs(even in NBA finals) because they have the second best record in the NBA regular season. But Celtics proved that they don't need home court advantage to win a series. The Celtics dumped the Cavaliers 4-2 while the Magic gave no mercy in sweeping the Atlanta Hawks of their own series.
For Orlando to win this series, their shooters should play well to free up the interior defence of the Celtics. Dwight Howard will really have a hard time because Kevin Garnet is healthy. Lets watch out for this two.
For Boston, I think they have the advantage because of experience and the good news for them is their Big Three are all healthy. But I still believe that Rajon Rondo is still the catalyst of this team. He should play well like what he did in the Cavaliers series.
Prediction: Celtics 4-2
Los Angeles Lakers vs Phoenix Suns
Lakers reached the Conference finals for the third straight year. They swept the Utah Jazz and the Suns swept the Spurs also. Suns pick-n-roll offense will be in trouble because the Lakers has the formula to stop it(look what they did in Jazz series). But Steve Nash will be the main catalyst of the Suns, he should distribute the ball well and be aggressive in defense.
For the Lakers, they should tighten their defense and cover all the shooters well. Lakers have all the advantage especially their twin towers. This series is fun to watch and the Lakers are very eager to revenge their playoffs losses to the Suns. Kobe Bryant will still be the go to guy of the Lakers.
Prediction: Lakers 4-1
Watch the NBA Conference Final Games at NBA TODAY
Celtics vs Magic
Magic has the home court advantage all through out the playoffs(even in NBA finals) because they have the second best record in the NBA regular season. But Celtics proved that they don't need home court advantage to win a series. The Celtics dumped the Cavaliers 4-2 while the Magic gave no mercy in sweeping the Atlanta Hawks of their own series.
For Orlando to win this series, their shooters should play well to free up the interior defence of the Celtics. Dwight Howard will really have a hard time because Kevin Garnet is healthy. Lets watch out for this two.
For Boston, I think they have the advantage because of experience and the good news for them is their Big Three are all healthy. But I still believe that Rajon Rondo is still the catalyst of this team. He should play well like what he did in the Cavaliers series.
Prediction: Celtics 4-2
Los Angeles Lakers vs Phoenix Suns
Lakers reached the Conference finals for the third straight year. They swept the Utah Jazz and the Suns swept the Spurs also. Suns pick-n-roll offense will be in trouble because the Lakers has the formula to stop it(look what they did in Jazz series). But Steve Nash will be the main catalyst of the Suns, he should distribute the ball well and be aggressive in defense.
For the Lakers, they should tighten their defense and cover all the shooters well. Lakers have all the advantage especially their twin towers. This series is fun to watch and the Lakers are very eager to revenge their playoffs losses to the Suns. Kobe Bryant will still be the go to guy of the Lakers.
Prediction: Lakers 4-1
Watch the NBA Conference Final Games at NBA TODAY
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