Boston Celtics
Boston avenged the devastating defeat they suffered in Game 7 of the NBA Finals last June by silencing that same Staples Center crowd this past Sunday.With a dominant exhibition of teamwork that would make Russell and Havliceck proud, the Celtics took complete control of the purple and gold floor, strangling the Los Angeles Lakers down the stretch and furthering the doubt that has begun to surround their arch rivals. Captain Paul Pierce was the conduit – first laying waste to Ron Artest, the Lakers defensive stopper who had outplayed Pierce in the crucial contest last spring and who has maddened the Celtics’ forward for much of his career, then trading scores with and defending his other nemesis, Kobe Bryant down the stretch. Bryant did ring up 41 points in the game, but the Celtics prevailed behind a more balance effort. Boston’s backcourt of Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen also gave redemptive performances, dropping 16 assists and 21 points respectively. The lasting images of the game were provided by the Celtics’ power forward platoon of Kevin Garnett and Glen “Big Baby” Davis. Garnett stood unfazed as blood streamed down his forehead and face after a collision with Paul Gasol in the first half and delivered a rugged, well-rounded performance with 18 points, 15 boards, 5 assists, a steal and a block with a large bandage stuck on his skull. Davis showed why Boston is becoming favored to unseat the Lakers as the ruling family by powering through Lakers’ center Andrew Bynum, who stands 4 inches taller than Davis, for a crucial bucket in the 4th quarter. Big Baby’s effort and drive contrasted Bynum’s apathetic defensive stance and signified a gulf in competitive desire between the two teams.
- San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs will try to solidify their league-leading 40 wins with a pair of road victories this week as they travel to the left coast to battle a competitive Portland team and the Lakers who are seven games behind San Antonio for second in the conference in the NBA standings. Coach Greg Poppovich’s squad has three potential All-Stars in Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker but it has been the contributions from supporting players that has propelled the Spurs to such a superb showing through the first half of the season. Richard Jefferson has rebounded from his horrid campaign a year ago to provide more efficient scoring from the wing, with a 10 percent increase in three point-shooting. George Hill and Gary Neal have performed admirably as the team’s sparks off the bench, with Hill acting as the top perimeter defender and Neal making a splash as a knockdown shooter. Poppovich would prefer to honor a different group of players instead of his already venerated trio of stars and his erratic perimeter core; the scrappy Spurs big men. Dejuan Blair, Matt Bonner and Antonio McDyess are Pop’s hard hat crew – players, who routinely and relentlessly do the dirty work, filling in the spaces between the franchise’s cornerstones.
- Miami Heat
The league’s preeminent villains delivered another statement road win on a showcase Sunday by stomping out Oklahoma City in the fourth quarter. With all three of the Free Masons in the lineup the Heat swatted away grumblings about their 1-8 record in close games, with veteran Eddie House netting the go-ahead three-pointer with 22 seconds remaining. The game was not simply an impressive win on a Western Conference contender’s home floor; it was the brilliant realization of Miami’s proposed team roles. Dwyane Wade led the South Beach Talents with 32 points, Chris Bosh calmly supported with 20 points and 7 rebounds and LeBron James turned in another ingenious all-around demonstration with 23 points, 13 assists, 4 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 blocks while troubling the Thunder’s leading scorer Kevin Durant throughout. If the Heat can spread the wealth this effectively on the offensive end, while continuing to receive contributions from their bench shooters and big men, they could become the most frightening opponent on the NBA schedule. LeBron’s commitment to becoming a true lockdown defender and the league’s best supporting playmaker to Wade’s leading man will determine whether or not the Masons become champions.
- Los Angeles Lakers
The defending champs seem incapable of defeating the teams that are voraciously clawing for their trophy, falling to 1-5 against the league’s elite…in the regular season. Panic has become routine for the Lakeshow, who often have difficulty finding motivation during the lulling winters that follow successful championship crusades. What made Sunday’s L to Boston so disheartening was not the quieting supremacy of their historic foes, but that the Celtics won despite 41 points from Kobe Bryant, the leader, the hero. Kobe’s personal triumphs seem to come at the cost of victory now for L.A., as the team is now 0-2 when Bryant scores over 40. Down the stretch the Black Mamba took 10 straight shots, isolating himself and excommunicating his teammates, namely Pau Gasol, who took only 5 shots in the second half. Lakers fans can take solace in the fact that Coach Phil Jackson is keeping his cool and living up to his “Zenmaster” moniker. Jackson acknowledges that Bryant’s takeover tactics are ultimately ineffective against a first-rate team like the Celtics, but also understands that Kobe’s steely scoring is what makes the Lakers such an amazing team in the first place and is quick to remind those questioning the Lakers that they have in fact won the past two NBA championships.
- New Orleans Hornets
Point guard Chris Paul is making a push for the MVP trophy after having led his team to its second 10-game winning streak this season. During the second string of victories, the Hornets took down San Antonio, Orlando and Oklahoma City – three top tier opponents who legitimize the streak. Paul has been the league’s best player considering his well-rounded statistical performance and his team’s success, given his surrounding talent. Paul is averaging 16.7 points, 4 rebounds, 9.7 assists and 2.5 steals while shooting 48% from the floor, 45% from three and %90 from the free throw line. With their fearless lead guard on the floor the Hornets have one of the league’s best crunch-time offenses and seem to click seamlessly. New Orleans has also been operating as one of the NBA’s best defensive teams, starting with Paul applying pressure at the point of attack and anchored by Emeka Okafor in the paint. Forward David West has returned to his efficient form this season with Paul setting him up and if swingman Trevor Ariza can consistently get his game on track the Hornets will be a dangerous matchup in the playoffs.
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