The NBA finals tips off tonight, so I thought I might take a stab at giving my analysis and prediction for the series between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics. Now remember, my predictions are normally correct....
Game 1
Both teams are a little rusty to start off the game, given their layoff of almost a full week. The Lakers take a 3-point lead at halftime due to strong play by Lamar Odom. Ray Allen misses all the shots he takes in the game, befuddled by Kobe Bryant's defense. However, in the second half, the Boston crowd helps Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce take the game over, allowing the Celtics to run away with a victory, 98 - 88. Kobe Bryant scores 24 points on 10 of 27 shooting for the night. Kevin Garnett says after the game that "he's glad the Celtics won." Celtics up 1-0.
Game 2
Ray Allen starts out by making 4 three-pointers in the first quarter and the Celtics lead at halftime by 7 points. Kobe Bryant remembers he's good and goes off for 18 points in the 4th quarter and leads the Lakers to a pivotal Game 2 victory, 101-98. Bill Belichick -- New England Patriots head coach and big Celtics fan -- gets pissed off after the game and rips his hoodie in two. Series tied 1-1.
Game 3
Back in L.A., the Lakers take care of business in Game 3 in business-like fashion. Led by Pau Gasol's 31-12 effort and Kobe Bryants 28 points and 11 assists, the Lakers blow out the Celtics 110-91. Kevin Garnett has his worst game of the series so far with 13 points and 9 rebounds. Ray Allen mirrors his Game 1 effort with 0 make baskets. Pau Gasol comments after the game that "mi corazon esta alegre", while shaving his beard. Lakers lead 2-1.
Game 4
In a must-win situation, the Celtics storm out of the gate and take a commanding 10-point lead in the first half. Kevin Garnett shows his all-around game with 11 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists at halftime. Jack Nicholson tries to high-five Kobe Bryant during a commercial break, but Bryant ignores him. In the second half, Ray Allen refuses to shoot the ball, leading the Lakers to play 5-on-4 defense and leaving Ray Allen open in the corner. Doc Rivers benches Ray Allen for Sam Cassell, figuring that some former Milwaukee Bucks player can produce in this big game. Sam Cassell doesn't disappoint, by scoring 10 points in the 4th quarter and leading the Celtics to a 99-96 victory. Series tied 2-2.
Game 5
The pivotal Game 5 has ticket-scalpers salivating; courtside tickets in L.A. are going for upwards of $80,000 per seat. Both teams start out jittery, with 30% shooting in the first quarter. Kobe Bryant has his best quarter of the series with a 19-point outburst in the 2nd quarter to give the Lakers a 9-point halftime lead. Starting the 2nd half, Doc Rivers switches to his best defensive line-up, putting James Posey on Kobe Bryant for the entire second half. Phil Jackson counters by glossing his 9 championship rings. The Lakers only score 32 points in the half, and the Celtics close out Game 5 with two Kevin Garnett lay-ups in the final minute. Celtics win, 91-88. Phil Jackson remarks after the game: "Yeah, we lost. The series isn't over yet. You see, you have to win 4 games. And the Celtics have only won 3 so far. It's not over yet." Celtics lead 3-2.
Game 6
Back in Boston, the Lakers try to extend the series behind Kobe Bryant's 20-point first half. The Lakers halftime lead of 5 points has the Boston crowd anxious, not wanting to see a Game 7 in the series. Coming out of the tunnel for the second half, Ray Allen receives a text message from a Milwaukee Bucks fan that reads "Remember how awesome you are." Allen skips the second half warm-ups and sits on the bench in quiet reflection. The second half beings with Ray Allen making 4 straight three-pointers to put the Celtics back up by 3 points. As the half continues and Ray Allen continues to make shots, the Boston crowd realizes that history is being made. Ray Allen three-pointer. Ray Allen lay-up. Ray Allen steal and dunk. Celtics are now up by 12 and tasting a NBA championship. Ray Allen three-pointer. Ray Allen three-pointer. The scoring run continues to Ray Allen throughout the fourth quarter and he finishes with 41 points in the second half, a NBA finals record, and the Celtics win 110-95 to claim the NBA title by winning the series 4 games to 2. Ray Allen is carried off the court by his teammates and his second half performance is quickly hailed as the most unexpected clutch performance in NBA history.
In the post-game conference, as Ray Allen accepts his NBA Finals MVP trophy despite being held scoreless in 2 of the 6 games, he makes these remarks:
"I got game. I always knew I had game, and now I showed you all."
Thank you, Ray Allen, for being awesome. I'll never forget.
For the record, I was right on for the final score in Game 1.
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