Lakers v. Hornets: Game 3 Recap

NEW ORLEANS -- The Hornets came into this game trying to stun the defending champs again. They left with a loss and the realization that their fortunes may have faded in this series.

Pau Gasol, the one factor the Hornets had working for them, seems to have found his game again. Gasol, who was still struggled with his shot for the first two and a half quarters, found his shooting touch with a long three-point basket in the forth quarter of April 22's game. From then on, the power forward was all business, showing the aggression Laker fans have been impatiently calling for. Gasol was 1-for-3 on three-point attempts all season before last night.

Gasol finished the game with 17 points and 10 rebounds, helping lead the Lakers to a 100-86 victory against the Hornets and a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series with Game 4 in New Orleans April 24. Reestablishing Gasol as a scoring option had further reaching implications than just the series with the Hornets; most fans were looking ahead to a run-in with either Dallas or Portland, teams who both have All-Star power forwards.

When asked about his teammates return to form, Lakers guard Kobe Bryant said, "It's funny how a shot can kind of turn the momentum around for him when he's had a hard time making shots around the basket and in the paint -- and he knocks down a 3, that kind of got him going."

Bryant, who was also coming off a low-scoring performance from the previous game, had 30 point to lead all players.

Also adding to the exhibition was Lakers center Andrew Bynum, who had 14 points and 11 rebounds as well as another brief scare with his oft-injured right knee but seemed to shake off any issues. Lamar Odom scored 13 points and Ron Artest had 9, but was a disruptive force on the defensive end.

The Hornets were not without their playmakers as well. Chris Paul had 22 points but was held to only four points in the second half. The Lakers made it their focus to deny him access to the ball, forcing the other Hornets players to make most of the plays. Other Hornets top performers were Carl Laundry, who had 23 points, including a monster dunk midway through the forth when the Hornets had one last chance to threaten the Lakers for the lead; Trevor Ariza scored 12 points and grabbed 12 rebounds.

One thing is for sure, if the Hornets want to even this series, they will need far more production from their All-Star point guard as well as their bench. They are vastly undersized in the front court and will need to find a solution to that before Sunday, or risk facing a 3-1 series deficit and potential elimination when they return to the Staples Center April 26 for Game 5.

Lakers v. Hornets: Game 3 Preview

So many questions that need answered. The Lakers need to know what's going on with Pau Gasol. Can they get him back to form? Is he injured?

The Hornets need to know if their Game 1 victory was more than just some aberration in a season where they have seen little to no success against the Lakers. The final question is whether either team will be able to accept the answers they are given.

In Game 2 we saw a battle. Low scoring, hard-nosed defense, bad offense and plenty of aggresion and will power. We should expect more of the same in Game 3. I said a couple days ago in the Game 2 recap that this felt more like an audition for WWE Tough Enough, and we can't expect it to get much better ... er worse. I guess it depends on how you look at it.

The Lakers will come out and continue to try and establish themselves as the best team in the league. Ron Artest, Kobe Bryant and Bynum will continue to bring the tenacity they have had for the last threee games and will also try to inspire Gasol, who hasn't decided if he wants to be a basketball player or not yet.

Both the Hornets and the Lakers know if the Lakers set the tone tonight and dominate this game, the series is all but over. The Hornets need this win and will do everything possible to get it. Attack the pick n' roll, try to isolate Paul at the top of the key and hope Aaron Gray has another big night while hoping Gasol is having another White Swan night.

Both teams lack any major injuries.

As interesting as one might try to make this game, the Lakers are just too deep. April 20's game was proof of that. The score of the game does not reflect how the game was actually played. The Hornets gained a lot of points in the final two minutes due to some shaky officiating that made what was almost a 20 -point deficit, 10 points.

The Hornets proved in the first two games they have the attitude and gumption to play with the two-time defending world champions. What they don't have is the depth and talent to finish the job. If Kobe continues to play under his Team USA persona and Gasol can bring it home, the Lakers will cruise through this game with ease and will be looking to April 24 by the third quarter.

Lakers v. Hornets: Game 2 Recap

The Los Angeles Lakers beat the New Orleans Hornets April 20 at the Staples Center in what could only be considered an audition for WWE Tough Enough.

The physical scrum, full of leg whips, high elbows, technicals and generally chippy behavior, was ignited in the first quarter when Kobe Bryant, charged with the task of guarding Chris Paul, threw a couple shoulders in the direction of the fifth-year point guard.

Bryant, who seemed disinterested with scoring, only had 11 points, 6 of which came late in the fourth quarter. But Bryant's energies seemed to be focused on limiting the effectiveness of Paul, who had torched the Lakers two days earlier. The defensive was similar to Bryant's three years ago with Team USA. Paul only scored 20 points on 5-of-11 shooting but did not score his finial 7 points until late in the fourth quarter with the game seemingly decided.

The Lakers got help from Andrew Bynum, who had 17 points and 11 rebounds as well as two blocks. Lamar Odom also had a better second game, posting totals of 16 points and 7 rebounds while Ron Artest was 2-for-5 from three-point territory while scoring 15 points to help lead the Lakers to a 87-78 victory.

The win prevented the two-time defending champions from being put in a 2-0 series deficit while reinvigorating some of the Lakers fire. One that seems in need of more stoking is Laker forward Pau Gasol who seems to still be in a passive playoff slump. Guarded by Hornets forward Aaron Gray, Gasol found it difficult to find consistency with his shot and seemed to be uncomfortable with his established position once he received the ball in the post.

But that didn't stop the Lakers, who seemd to be on a mission Wednesday night, playing with increased intensity and physicality. iIt's obvious the Hornets drew the attention of the Lakers. Now the question is are they going to be able to recuperate and steal another game back home in New Orleans and make this a series? Only time will tell, but April 22 will bring answers to that question soon enough.

Lakers v. Hornets: Game 1 Wrap-up and Game 2 Preview

If you haven't already read the Knicks-Celtics recap, I'll reiterate my excuse for not getting the recap up sooner. Traveling for little brother's bachelor party, got back late Sunday, missed most of the game, fell asleep early, then did taxes Monday. Depression set in, no Game 1 recap.

Excuse done.

Now, on to the Game 1 recap. Ready?

Hornets played virtually perfect behind a huge performance from Chris Paul, decimating Derek Fisher and Pau Gasol for more points than I care to recall. Lakers played about average.

Gasol played like the White Swan instead of the black one and the Lakers sorely missed bench players Steve Blake and Matt Barnes. Blake was out with the chicken pox, while Barnes only played eight minutes due to a previous injury. Lakers fans fall into a deep depression, others gave up, and that should just about cover it. Lakers lose Game 1.

Let's move on, shall we.

The Lakers come into Game 2 with one major problem on their collective minds: How do we stop Chris Paul?

True, Paul has played as if he were injured at times this season. But there was no indication of that April 17, as he simply dismantled anyone the Lakers threw at him. The Lakers have had two days to put together some type of plan to limit Paul's effect on the game. One factor that should help is the return of Blake, who will provide some solid relief for the aging Fisher and maybe, with some luck, give Paul the chicken pox in the process.

Another possible matchup could be the athletic Shannon Brown. If anyone on the Lakers is capable of keeping up with Paul defensively it will be him. The question will be if they can get him to play solid and tenacious defense on Paul without taking chances and overplaying the All-Star guard.

But even after seeing the Lakers' taste defeat at the hands of CP3, there is no reason to believe the Lakers are not favored in this game. Gasol played horribly in Game 1, only posting totals of 8 points on 2-of-9 shooting and 6 rebounds. Lamar Odom also had a similar slump in the rebound column, where he only pulled in 1 rebound.

Premier players like Gasol and Odom don't have these type of games often, especially on the same night. It's even more rare to see it happen in back-to-back games. In turn, two Hornets players had season highs in Game 1 in points and shooting percentage. Aaron Grey had 12 points and Jarrett Jack shot 83 percent from the field.

Don't look for a repeat performance from the Hornets. Grey is listed for doubtful for Game 2, and it is highly unlikely the Hornets will maintain the insane shooting efficiency we saw in Game 1. Look for Gasol to step up and be more aggressive in getting the ball and in the paint. Also, look for Odom to get a little more involved in both the offense and on the boards, making sure he is a factor in this game.

Paul will try to attack the pick-and-roll like he did in the first game, but the Lakers will make adjustments and use their size to keep all the Hornet's role players from doing damage while Paul tries his best to keep the Hornets afloat.

The Hornets managed to play out of their minds in Game 1. And while I'm not saying they can't do it in Game 2, teams don't permanently become another team overnight. They have flashes of brilliance at times and they have times where they can't get the ship going. Though it would be insane to think the Hornets turned into the Lakers overnight while the Lakers turned into the Timberwolves.

Expect the Hornets to come out firing early because they know they have a punchers chance with Paul at the helm. But Paul is only a right hook, and without a solid and consistent uppercut on the team to assist him, this team is only capable of winning Round 1 with some luck. Expect the score to stay close, and as soon as the Hornets get tired of punching, midway through the third quarter, expect the Lakers to come off the ropes and throttle the Hornets like they don't belong in this fight at all, which they don't.

For the Lakers, the four-game sweep starts now.

Celtics v. Knicks: Game 2 Recap

BOSTON -- The Boston Celtics once again eeked out a win against the New York Knicks, 96-93, in front of a packed Boston Garden on April 19. Coach Doc Rivers said, "we were lucky to win" when asked in postgame interviews. The win came on a go-ahead basket from Kevin Garnett with about 14 seconds left in the game. Garnett would then make the key defensive play 10 seconds later, diving on the floor to steal the ball from Knicks center Jared Jefferies to clinch the win.

The Knicks, playing without starting point guard Chauncey Billups, withstood a first-half point guard clinic by Rajon Rondo to keep the game close and go into halftime with a lead. Rondo, who had 14 points in the first quarter, finished the game with 30 points, a career playoff high for the All-Star point guard.

Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony also had a career night, matching his playoff high for points with 42. Anthony also pulled down 17 rebounds and six assists while playing tenacious defense on the Celtics Paul Pierce, who struggled from the field, ending the night with 20 points on 8-for-18 shooting.

Amar'e Stoudemire finished the night on the bench alongside Billups due to back spasms that began bothering him late in the first half. Toney Douglas, who replaced Billups in the starting lineup, had 14 points. Stoudemire's replacement, Jeffries, ended the night with 10 points and the critical turnover for the Knicks.

Anthony was criticized slightly after Game 1 for taking a long three while double teamed. He chose to pass the ball this time to Jeffries, who turned the ball over after receiving Anthony's pass with 8 seconds left in the game. When asked about Anthony's decision, coach Mike D'Antoni said Anthony made the right play.

The Knicks will now return to Madison Square Garden down 0-2 in the series but with plenty of reason to believe they can extend this series past four games.

"The Celtics didn't do anything special," Anthony said. "They won two games on their home court. Now, it's our turn to go to our home court and try to do the same thing."

And return they shall, April 22, to the cheers of a crazed New York crowd who would love nothing more than to send the Celtics back home tied 2-2.