GAME 5
Hey, guess who I just spotted at the NBA Finals? If you answered, "The L.A. Lakers", you are correct, sir.
I'd heard rumors (maybe while watching TMZ) that the Lakers would show up in this series, but except for about an eight-minute stretch during Game 2, Phil Jackson's multi-faceted naut of jugger had not yet been seen. Tonight? It only took 4:24 for all five Lakers to score at least a point -- though, curiously, nearing the end of the first quarter, only Kobe Bryant has yet to score a bucket.
Lamar Odom, who scored 4 points on Tuesday, already has 13 as the Lakers lead 35-14 after one quarter. This was the game I expected to see in Game 3, but apparently L.A.'s legs were not yet back under them after the return flight from Boston.
What else is different?
--First, most obviously, simple good shooting. L.A. shot 64.7% (11-17) in the first quarter. And everyone contributed, with six different players scoring.
--Aggressiveness and whistles. L.A. attacked the basket from the very first play, with Odom driving on Kevin Garnett and getting a goal-tending call. KG picked up his second foul midway through the first quarter, and with him on the bench the paint is a far friendlier spot for the gold jerseys.
--Points in transition. Boston misses and turnovers are allowing the Lakers to run. The prettiest break occurred when Odom dribbled it out on a 3-on-2, with Kobe up ahead on the right wing and Gasol on his left. Certainly if you're a Celtic you figure Kobe is the option, so Odom tossed to Gasol, who returned the pass immediately for an easy dunk.
So, after one quarter, 35-14. This after the Lakers' largest lead in the first three games had been 8 points, I believe.
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