Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers finished off the Denver Nuggets 119 - 92 in Game 6 of their Western Conference Finals Series and earn a return trip to the NBA Finals.
Meanwhile on the East, the Magic will try to advance to the NBA Finals since the Shaq and Penny days.
The Magic still needs the series 3 - 2 after Lebron James delivered another sublime playoff performance in Game 5 to extend the Cavs season. Finally, King James' men showed up when it matters the most - most notably Boobie Gibson.
Showing posts with label 2009 NBA Playoffs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2009 NBA Playoffs. Show all posts
The Orlando Magic takes a commanding 3 - 1 series lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers after Lebron James missed the potential game-winning three 116 - 114 in OT of Game 4 in their Eastern Conference Finals series in the 2009 NBA Playoffs.
King James sent the game into overtime, hitting two free throws to tie it at 100 apiece.
In overtime, Dwight Howard muscled his way inside for 10 points to lead the way and offset the spectacular James who as usual carried the Cavs including knocking in a wicked fade away three to keep the Cavs in the game.
When Lewis made only one of two free throws, 116 - 114 with 3.2 ticks to go, everyone knew that the Cavs would go to James to win the game just like in Game 2. It was a good thing that the Cavs have no timeout to call to setup a better play. James fired the shot some steps after the halfcourt line and fell short.
In the first half, King James and the King's men showed up. They even had a run before the first half ended to have a 58 - 50 lead. In the second half, the Magic knocked threes and the played good enough defense. The King's men again failed to support James.
In the end, Lebron and the Cavs facing the tall task of coming back from a 3 - 1 series deficit, last done I believe by my Phoenix Suns against Kobe's Lakers.
It is really plain to see why the best team in the regular season is on the ropes against the Magic. It's the supporting cast to James that is missing especially in the crucial moments of the game.
*****
I was putting off writing another entry about the NBA Playoffs until this game because I thought it would also be 2-2 like in the West. That way I get to write only one post for both conferences' finals series.
Well, the Magic are now closing in in returning to the NBA Finals since 1995. That seems to be apparent if Mo Williams' foray to fortune telling or the James supporting casts' performance do not improve soon.
No Escape this time for Kobe & company at the Denver Nuggets beat the Los Angeles Lakers to even up their Western Conference Championship series 1 - 1 in the on going 2009 NBA Playoffs
I just checked the game on NBA Gamecast, and here is the final score.
I was out of the house early, gone to register in a short course and pay some bills. That is why I did not catch Game 2 of the West Finals between the Nuggets and the Lakers on TV.
Good thing I went to a bank in SM City North Edsa. Because I just learned that the activity area in THE BLOCK is now one of the free wifi locations in the Metro.
After I connected to the free wifi, I went to NBA Gamecast. Chauncey Billups clinch the game at the free throw line.
With the series going to Denver, the Nuggets are riding on a big confidence boost. The series could have been 2 - 0 in their favor now.
For most of the season, the Lakers are favored to take the West again. But Houston perhaps made the Lakers doubt themselves in their conference semifinal series.
If Denver defends their homecourt for games 3 and 4, I think they will be in the finals.
Rashard Lewis knocked the game winning three as the Orlando Magic toughed out a Game 1 upset over highly favored Cleveland Cavaliers 107 - 106 to start the 2009 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals.
Coming from a great Game 7 win over dethroned champs Celtics, the Magic again displayed mental toughness throughout the second half to defeat Lebron James and the Cavs to steal home court advantage in the series.
Coach Stan Van Gundy's gameplan worked as they allowed Lebron James to work hard for the bulk of the Cavs offense and limiting James' supporting cast to standing and watching most of the game.
James just put the lead back to the Cavs with a three point play that led to Dwight Howards sixth and last foul. But Rashard Lewis knocked in the game winning three. In the Cavs final play, James passed to a teammate who failed to connect from the outside. A jump ball resulted in the battle for the loose ball with just a second left in the game between Hedo Turkoglu and Lebron James. James tapped the ball to Williams who failed to connect from the top of the key.
The Cavs are coming from a long lay-off after breezing through the first two rounds sweeping the Pistons and the Hawks in double digit wins. In their first taste of competitive playoff atmosphere, James' cast never got going like they used to do in the regular season.
James scored 49 points but it appeared that carrying cavs the entire game took its toll on him somehow. He missed 3 free throws and had cramps at the end of the game.
The Magic meanwhile had a great team effort in defense and getting great games from Lewis, Howard and Turkoglu plus solid support from Pietrus and Alson.
The Orlando Magic finally put an end to the Boston Celtics' bid for a second consecutive championship, dethroning the champs with a convincing 101 - 82 Game 7 win right at the Celtics storied homecourt.
The win was a sort of statement in itself that the Magic is indeed a contender for the crown as they have shown in the regular season. Now they have the chance to face Lebron James and the mighty Cleveland Cavaliers that many have picked to reach the NBA Finals.
This time the homecourt advantage and the game 7 pedigree of the Celtics was not enough to stage a comeback hold off the young and hungry Magic team.
Rajon Rondo just beat the third quarter buzzer to pull the Celtics within five points of the Magic, 61 - 65. But the Magic scored 8 straight points at the start of the fourth to widen the gap.
All seemed is not yet lost when Dwight Howard picked up his fifth personal foul, forcing Van Gundy to sitt him on the bench. When Ray Allen knocked off a trey to cut the lead the Magic's lead to 12, I thought the comeback is again on.
But the threat was quickly fanned out by Hedo Turkoglu 3 and I could not watch anymore.
I was so accustomed with the Celtics coming big down the stretch especially in their homecourt. Perhaps I read too much off Bill Simmon's column. I actually waited for that magic feeling that something special is about to happen for the Celtics.
There wass magic alright but not from the champs. Rather, it comes from the guys from Orlando. They have learned they lesson well. This time they were ready for the champs. Ooops... the Celtics are now just former champs.
Glen "Big Baby" Davis nailed a jumper at the buzzer to lift the Bostic Celtics to a 95 - 94 win over the Orlando Magic to even their 2nd round Eastern Conference Semifinal Series, 2 all, in the 2009 NBA Playoffs.
Down by one with only 11.3 seconds left, the defending champs were facing a dark prospect of going down 1 - 3 in the series. The Magic were able to clamped down on Allen and was successful in forcing the ball out of Pierce's hands but they failed to cover Davis making the game-winning jumper as time expired, stunning all the Magic fans at their homecourt.
Finally, I was able to catch an exciting game on these NBA Playoffs live and not just from highlight reels.
I honestly thought that the Celtics would lose when Pierce passed the ball. Instead, I was surprised in a good way to see Davis pull through and the men in green still prevailing in the game.
Later in an interview, Davies credited the extra effort he made in shooting practice and believing in himself making it as the key to that shot.
The champs will definitely have momentum on their side going to Game 5 in Boston.
Come Sunday, sportsfans like me will be treated to an action-filled April 19.
The first ever double world title fight in the Philippines dubbed "The Flash and The Furious" will be held at the historic Araneta Coliseum.
The 2009 NBA Playoffs will start on the same day.
As well as UFC 97 Redemption.
Hopefully, I could watch and enjoy them all and blog about all of them as well.
I.
In this historic bout, Nonito "the Filipino Flash" Donaire Jr. will stake his IBF Flyweight crown against Raul "the Cobra" Martinez while Bryan "the Hawaiian Punch" Viloria will challenge Ulises Solis for the IBF Light Flyweight belt.
The boxing event will also feature two up and coming Filipino Boxers in Denver "the excitement" Cuello and Sonny Boy Jaro. GMA - 7 will show the bout at 1 pm.
II.
Even without my Phoenix Suns, the fan in me eagerly awaits the 2009 NBA Playoffs to see who will emerge as champions.
With the MVP award almost assured, is this the year of Lebron's first championship ? Will Kobe and the Lakers complete the job this time around? Are the Boston Celtics capable of defending their crown without leader Kevin Garnett? Or will another team come from nowhere to lay claim on the championship? These are questions among others that will be answered soon.
CS/9 coverage will start at 10:30 am
III.
UFC 97 will feature Middleweight King Anderson "the Spider" Silva as he will try to defend his belt for the fifth consecutive time against Thales Leites. MMA Legend Chuck "the Iceman" Liddel will battle Mauricio "Shogun" Rua. Channel 23 will show this at 10 pm in the evening.
Now that slate of sporting events is really something to look forward to.
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