Anything Can Happen
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The Los Angeles Lakers are down 3-0 to the Dallas Mavericks, but it’s not stopping Kobe Bryant to claim that the Lakers will comeback to win the series, including the first one in Dallas on Sunday. The Lakers have struggled to close games, let alone play well in the fourth quarter at all. Their bench has struggled and so has the play of Pau Gasol. Kobe Bryant may have led his team to back-to-back championships, but if he keeps taking forced shots like he has against the Mavericks, the Lakers may be watching the Western Conference Finals at home.
Will the Lakers triumph for four straight victories against the NBA’s most veteran team, led by Dirk Nowitzki? Doubtful.
I’ll give the Lakers the benefit of the doubt and say the Mavericks will in 5.
As for other miracles, Rajon Rondo suffered a gruesome arm injury, as he dislocated his elbow when he and Heat guard, Dwayne Wade, got tangled up and fell to the floor. Rondo returned to the game, stole the ball and laid-in a breakaway with his left hand. The Celtics blew out the Heat in front of their home crowd at the TD Banknorth Garden after being completely outplayed in the first two games in Miami. Down 2-1, the Boston Celtics played with new life on Saturday, and with their home crowd to back them, the Celtics tie the series back up, heading back to Miami for game 5.
The Bulls, up 2-1 look unstoppable against the Hawks, who had won game one of the series. Derrick Rose is playing like his MVP self, and despite the surprisingly good play of Kirk Hinrich’s replacement, Jeff Teague, the Hawks are going to need to mesh without Kirk Hinrich. Derrick Rose is playing unbelievable, after posting a career-high 44 in game 3. The Hawks need to play better defense, which is asking for a lot with Rose handling the ball.
The Memphis Grizzlies continue to wear their glass slipper, taking a 2-1 lead over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Playing at home, the Memphis crowd was jubilant in a “whiteout” as the Zach Randolph-led Grizzlies took down the Thunder in overtime. The momentum is in the Grizzlies’ favor and without either team having much playoff experience, the Grizzlies could take their 8-seed into the Western Conference finals, most likely against the Dallas Mavericks.
But like Yogi Berra said: “It ain’t over ‘til it’s over.”
Anything can happen.
AFStillings' Blog 