Lakers v. Hornets Game 5 Recap & Preview

LOS ANGELES -- Asset or Liability. It was the question of the hour when Kobe Bryant took the court with a bad ankle Tuesday night in LA.

For about 15 minutes it looked as if he were a liability  and then it happened, early in the second quarter Bryant received a pass from Gasol at the top of the key and as Trevor Ariza closed the distance Bryant took two quick steps to the lane and then exploded through the air just as Emeka Okafor did the same. When the dust had settled Kobe was giving that same cocky look he had 12 years ago when he wore the No. 8 and Emeka Okafor had become another poster, victimized by the Mamba.

Bryants' dunk incited the crowd at the Staples Center and sent the Lakers players on a wave of mutilation that the Hornets would never recover from. Bryant scored 19 points including another highlight reel dunk in the third quarter as the Lakers beat the hornets 106 - 90 to take a 3-2 series lead and put the Hornets on the brink of elimination.

Game 6 is Thursday in New Orleans.

NEW ORLEANS --

Andrew Bynum, who had 18 points and 10 rebounds in Game 5, will look to continue his emergence as the anchor of the Lakers front court and Pau Gasol, 16 points in Games 5, will look to continue his improvement in play as the Lakers try to eliminate the Hornets from the playoffs.

There will still be question about Bryants' ankle and whether or not he can give the Lakers the same boost he did in Game 5 but one thing is for sure, the Lakers seem to have that sense of urgency back. There isnt much to say about tonight other than what we know, we are in for a hell of a game and it's win or go home for the Hornets.

Can Chris Paul provide one more sting on the Lakers or will his great postseason play end tonight.

Lakers v. Hornets: Game 5 Preview

LOS ANGELES --  Game 5. Most Lakers fans would expect this to be an elimination game for the Hornets. Instead, the Lakers enter this game tied 2-2 in the series. The news doesn't get any easier from there. The Lakers' main scoring option, Kobe Bryant, has a severe left ankle sprain that occurred in Game 4.

Bryant, who has refused to have an X-ray or MRI performed, insists he will play in Game 5 no matter what and has received around-the-clock treatment in preparation for the game. With no question about Bryant's will to compete, the only question left is do the rest of the Lakers?

In their two losses, the Lakers have seemed anything but ready to compete. True, players like Ron Artest and Andrew Bynum have shown up for every game and posted great numbers, but the Lakers' normally steady and consistent players Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom have struggled in the series, even seeming passive and content at times.

The Hornets have been near perfect in their wins with their bench players and starting point guard Chris Paul posting career numbers in those matchups. To say they have been anything short of brilliant would be an insult. Aaron Gray has provided a huge lift off the bench, proving to be a disruption to Gasol's game. Jarrett Jack has played excellent as well with his high shooting percentage and heroics all contributing to the Game 4 victory.

The Lakers have been here before -- as recently as last year when they played the young, up-and-coming Oklahoma City Thunder. Again with the series tied 2-2, the Lakers found that sense of urgency and put together a great playoff run on their way to the title. This Game 5 will be pivotal for both teams. Whoever takes this game will control their destiny, forcing the other team to win two games in a row to get their playoff miracle.

The positon the Lakers are in is one coach Phil Jackson feels plays to the teams strengths, saying, "They certainly play better when they're in a desperate mode, there's no doubt about that." When asked about his teams demeanor toward Game 5, Jackson said, "They were somber. They understand the nature of we to have to do with this ballclub."

One thing is for sure, the Hornets are not taking this lightly, and they don't feel as though they have accomplished anything yet. Rather, they have been humble, almost fearful, that at any moment the Lakers could flip a switch and end the series with ease. It's with calm and catioun that they fight for every possesion, something the Lakers should take note of.

If Paul can come out and dominate the Lakers' defense as he has in Games 1 and 4, the Lakers may find themselves digging out of the grave in Game 6. But if history tells us anything, it is the Lakers will get themselves aligned for the next two games and make sure they deny Paul the opportunity to sting them any more than he has already.

Celtics v. Knicks: Series Recap

NEW YORK -- It was as simple as one, two, three, four for the Boston Celtics, who completed a four-game sweep of  the New York Knicks April 24.

The series, which promised to be one of the most exciting going into the 2011 playoffs due to the teams' regular season matchups, ended up being somewhat of a dud.

The Knicks came into the series swinging like a boxer with nothing to lose, giving the Celtics all they could handle in the first two games, showing gumption and a strong physical presence, pushing the Celtics to win their games in the fading seconds of both Games 1 and 2.

Games 3 and 4 were a completely different story as the Celtics went to New York and dominated the Knicks. The wins included a record-setting performance from Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo. The Knicks, whose nucleus had only played 18 games together, were battling a multitude of injuries throughout these playoffs and were hoping to come together against the reigning Eastern Conference champions.

But when the dust settled Sunday night in Madison Square Garden  it was the Celtics that had grown together as a team. Rajon Rondo had 21 points and 12 assists,  Kevin Garnett added 26 points and 10 rebounds while  Ray Allen and  Glen Davis each added 14 points for the Celtics to finish the clean sweep of the Knicks.

It was the first sweep the Celtics have had since 1992, beating the Indiana Pacers in three games. The win helped the Celtics advance to the second round early and also allowed them to get some rest before they play their next opponent: winner of Heat-Sixers. The Heat missed their opportunity to close out the Sixers April 26, losing in Philadelphia.

For the Knicks, the series loss left them with some big questions going into the offseason, including the status of head coach Mike D'Antoni, rumored to possibly be on the hot seat. Also, the Knicks have some glaring holes in the defense and rebounding categories that they have to address in the future.

Regardless of this year's outcome, it looks as though the Knicks will be a perinnial contender in the immediate future. For the Celtics, the future and their chances of a title will continue May 1.

Lakers v. Hornets: Game 4 Preview

NEW ORLEANS -- As far as big games go, this is one of the biggest the Hornets will face this year. The Hornets are coming off a second-straight defeat at the hands of the Los Angeles Lakers, who seem to be getting their house in order at the expense of the Hornets. To make matters worse, it looks as though Hornets point guard Chris Paul has an unexplained injury to his left thumb.

The Hornets cannot afford to be without their All-Star point guard against the surging Lakers. Though Paul is expected to be just fine for April 24's game, one has to wonder if the injury will limit his level of play.

Hornets' bench players Jarrett Jack, Aaron Gray and Quincy Pondexter did everything they could to keep the Hornets effective and in contention, but it has not been enough. The Hornets hoped returning home to their fans and rowdy arena would help fuel their fire in Game 3, but there was no such luck as the Lakers dealt them a 100-86 defeat.

A win by the Lakers Sunday will give Los Angeles the opportunity to close out the series April 26 at the Staples Center. A win Tuesday would keep the Lakers from having to return to New Orleans, even if the Lakers seem to thrive on the road in the playoffs.

The Hornets will try to make the necessary adjustments Sunday, but the Lakers look to be to tough and have too much depth to let the Hornets tie the series up. If the Hornets are to win, they will have to play virtually perfect and hope the Lakers have another off night like they did for Game 1.

This may not be an elimination game for the Hornets but make no mistakes, this is a big game and when it's said and done, look for the Lakers twin towers to come out standing big and tall.

Celtics v. Knicks: Game 4 Preview

New York -- Win or go home! Or, in the case of the Knicks, stay home.

The Knicks are coming into this Game 4 facing elimination and with the fresh wounds of a Game 3 drubbing at the hands of Rajon Rondo and the Boston Celtics. Rondo recorded his sixth postseason triple-double and had 15 points, 11 rebounds and 20 assists. Rondo set the Celtics record for assists in the postseason and is one of only seven players all time to record six triple-doubles in the postseason for their career.

Behind Rondo and Ray Allen's amazing shooting -- 75 percent from behind the arc for the series including eight threes in Game 3 -- the Celtics crushed the will of the Knicks early along with any hope the Knicks may have had of getting out of the first round.

The Knicks will come into Game 4 hoping to overcome the injury of Chauncey Billups, out for Game 4, and Amar'e Stoudemire who is listed as day-to-day. They will depend heavily on Carmelo Anthony to try and lead this team to victory even if Stoudemire is in the lineup.

The Knicks will need to play hard-nosed defense, try to slow Boston, penetrate and kick attacks by Rondo, while trying to get out in transition and score before the Celtics can recover. The Knicks will also look to aggressively attack Kevin Garnett and the rest of the Celtic's big men, hoping to get them in early foul trouble and opening up the paint for Stoudemire and Jared Jeffries.

There is much on the table in the way of hope for the Knicks, but they will not roll over and go quietly into the night. If anything, expect this game to get rough and physical before it's over, especially if the Knicks find themselves down big early.

If the Knicks can't beat them, they will at least try to send them home wounded for their second round matchup with the winner of Heat-Sixers.

So, the question is will the Knicks win and pack for Boston?. Chances are the Knicks will be packing suitcases tonight. It's just their vacation clothes that will be going inside.