Bballz

2010-01-23T19:12:00.003+02:00

Miami Heat had a bizarre week. Three nights after a 30-point win and two nights following a 39-point loss, they scored another lopsided victory.

The Heat’s worst losses this season have come in the second game of back-to-back games. After Friday night’s 112-88 rout of the Wizards , it was only natural Miami was looking ahead, and not resting on an easy win.

On Saturday, the Heat host Sacramento, and after a 1-6 record in those back-to-backers, coach Erik Spoelstra can’t wait to see how his team plays.

“It’s about honesty and us being real with each other,” Spoelstra said.” What we’ve done on back-to-back nights so far, we have to be real about it, it’s not been good enough.”

In those second games, the Heat have lost by 15, 29, 30 and 39.

They’re hoping to see more of what they got Friday night from Dwyane Wade. The All-Star guard led Miami with 32 points. Jermaine O'neal added 18 on an economical 8 for 10 from the field and Beasley had 15.

Wade who scored 40 and 41 in two earlier games against Washington, had his way against a team full of problems.

He was 12 for 19 from the field—including 4 3-pointers—and had 10 assists.

The Heat, despite all their ups and downs, are in much better shape than the Wizards, who lost for the sixth time in eight games.

Los Angeles Lakers won NBA Finals against Orlando Magic

2009-06-15T13:14:00.001+03:00

No need for anything more personal, not on this night of nights for Bryant. Besides, he had new teammates to celebrate with, new memories to savor.

Shaquille O'Neal seemed another lifetime away. Bryant was the one with the NBA finals MVP trophy in hand, an old score finally settled.

"Well I don't have to hear that criticism, that idiotic criticism, anymore," he said. "That's the biggest thing."

Idiotic, maybe. Unfair, possibly.

But until Sunday night in Orlando it was never just all about Bryant. Like it or not, until he won a ring of his own his legacy was always going to be intertwined with the center he won with and feuded with until all of Los Angeles wasn't even big enough to contain their collective egos.

Bryant didn't like it, but he heard it. Heard it so often that it got to the point he couldn't stomach the thought of talking about it.

He doesn't have to anymore. These were Kobe's Lakers, and this is Kobe's championship.

He was determined to do whatever was humanly possible to make sure they didn't fail. And he delivered in a way that would have been unimaginable back in the days when his supreme talent was often obscured by his petulant ways.

The 30 points, six rebounds and five assists in the box score didn't begin to measure Bryant's claim to this game, just as his equally impressive stats in the four other games didn't begin to tally up to what he meant to his team. This was Bryant being Michael Jordan, willing his teammates on to great things because he expected nothing less than greatness from them.

They hopped on for the ride because they believed, just like Scottie Pippen, Steve Kerr, and, yes, even Dennis Rodman, believed in Chicago. They knew if they did their jobs the Lakers would be on top when it was all over and, even if they didn't, there was a good chance that Bryant would find a way to rescue the team anyway.

The champagne flowed in the locker room because the Lakers had just won the 15th title in the team's history, and even the Zen Master himself got soaked. But Bryant had even more reason to celebrate because there wasn't anyone who wanted this championship as desperately as he did.

LeBron James may have been this year's MVP. But Bryant was the MVP when it mattered most.

"It felt like a big 'ol monkey off my back," he said.

This wasn't a classic championship series, though few that end 4-1 are. The Orlando Magic had a nice run, but there was never the feeling that the Lakers would relax like they had done against other teams earlier in the playoffs.

Not with Bryant trying to make a claim to being one of the greatest players ever. Not with Phil Jackson sitting serenely on the bench while cementing his claim to being the greatest coach ever.

Jackson, of course, is famous for his philosophy of living in the moment, something Bryant embraced along the way, too. Neither allowed himself to think past the next game, and Bryant was so focused that he was still scowling after the Lakers won in overtime in Game 2 to go up a commanding 2-0 in the series.

Afterward, he was asked if he was happy with the win.

"What's there to be happy about?" Bryant asked. "The job's not finished."

Everyone was happy on this night because the job was finally finished. Bryant's long road to redemption from last year's embarrassing loss to the Boston Celtics was finally over, and Jackson's record 10th coaching title — in just 19 years — was finally secured.

Jackson donned a yellow cap made by his children with the Roman numeral X on it and the years of his 10 titles, a rare display for a coach who even to the end gave all the credit to his players. He and Bryant had a long embrace and, later in the locker room, Bryant orchestrated a surprise champagne shower for his coach.

Jackson would later remember back to a different time and a different Bryant. It was early into his first stint as coach of the Lakers and Bryant had gotten caught up in a shooting display in a game in Toronto one night, neglecting his teammates and turning it into a one-man game.

He brought Bryant in for a chat and told him he needed to be a leader. Bryant declared he was ready to become captain right then.

"Yes, but nobody is ready to follow you," Jackson told his star.

They are now, and they're NBA champions because of it. And while Jackson may just decide to call it quits after this one and go off in search of inner peace, you get the feeling that winning this one may make Bryant even more hungry for the next.

For now, though, all he has in mind is a vacation in Cabo, where he can relax and savor the one he wanted most.

"It's tough to say it's a little sweeter," Bryant said. "But it kind of is."

Fisher's clutch give Lakers 3-1 lead over Magic

2009-06-12T15:11:00.001+03:00

To this day, it is referred to simply as 0.4, the last-second shot that first made Derek Fisher famous. In Game 4 of the NBA finals, Fisher may have topped it. Twice.

Fisher hit two key 3-pointers — one with 4.6 seconds left in regulation, the other with 31.3 seconds to go in overtime — as the Los Angeles Lakers moved within one win of their 15th championship by beating the Orlando Magic 99-91 on Thursday night to open a 3-1 series lead.

The 34-year-old Fisher, in his second stint with the Lakers after stops in Golden State and Utah, was best known for his turnaround fling with 0.4 seconds left in the 2004 playoffs against San Antonio. He's got two more shots that rank right with it.

"Maybe 100, 101, something like that," the 13-year-veteran joked. "No, I mean, obviously, it's at the top. You know, even greater than 0.4 because I feel like we're as close as possible to what our end goal is."

The Lakers can wrap up their first title since 2002 on Sunday in Game 5. If necessary, Games 6 and 7 would be back in Los Angeles at Staples Center.

The only way the Lakers, who overcame a 12-point halftime deficit in Game 4 and improved to 7-0 after a playoff loss, can be denied a crown is if they lose three straight.

That hasn't happened all season.

Magic wins 108-104 over Lakers

2009-06-10T22:21:00.001+03:00

Missing for two games, Orlando found its Magic touch. Making easy shots and tough ones from everywhere, the Magic won their first game in two visits to the NBA finals as Dwight Howard and Rashard Lewis scored 21 points apiece in a 108-104 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 on Tuesday night to pull within 2-1.

Orlando shot a finals record 63 percent — including another finals record 75 percent in the first half — to snap a six-game finals losing streak and avoid falling into an 0-3 hole that no team in postseason history has been able to escape.

Kobe Bryant, seeking a fourth title and his first since 2002, scored 31 points for the Lakers but the superstar had just 10 points in the second half and went only 4 of 15 from the field after the first quarter. He also missed five free throws, points that could have given the Lakers that 3-0 lead.

Lakers take 2-0 lead over Magic in NBA finals

2009-06-08T16:15:00.002+03:00

The Los Angeles Lakers have taken a 2-0 in the NBA finals, beating the Orlando Magic 101-96 in overtime Sunday night.

Kobe Bryant scored 29 points, and Pau Gasol had a big overtime and finished with 24 points and 10 rebounds as the Lakers moved within two wins of their 15th championship.

Rashard Lewis had 34 points and 11 rebounds, and Hedo Turkoglu had 22 points. But rookie Courtney Lee missed a layup at the buzzer that would have won it in regulation for the Magic, who have still never won a finals game.

Game 3 is Tuesday in Orlando.

Randy Smith dies at 60

2009-06-05T23:30:00.002+03:00

Randy Smith, who once owned the National Basketball Association record for consecutive games played, died Thursday at the emergency room of Backus Hospital. He was 60.

Smith was a star small forward in the 1970s for the Buffalo Braves, playing from 1971 through 1983. He averaged 16.7 points, 4.6 assists and 3.7 rebounds.

Smith appeared in 906 NBA games in a row to set an all-time NBA "Ironman" mark before A.C. Green appeared in 1,192 consecutive games from 1986 through 2001.

After seven seasons with Buffalo before the team moved to San Diego, Smith went on to play for Cleveland, New York and Atlanta.

Kobe explodes for 40 as Lakers hummiliates Orlando

2009-06-05T12:47:00.002+03:00

Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers produced a dazzling display at both ends of the floor to crush the Orlando Magic 100-75 in the opening game of the NBA Finals on Thursday.

Bryant scored 40 points and had eight assists and eight rebounds for the Lakers, seeking their first title since 2002.

Last year's league MVP scored 18 points in the third quarter when the Lakers turned a 10-point half-time lead into an 82-58 blowout with a quarter to play.

Bryant displayed emotion rarely seen during his 13-year career, perhaps wanting to prove to LeBron James that he is not yet ready to cede the title as the NBA's best player.

Preparing for Finals

2009-06-04T21:00:00.001+03:00

The Los Angeles Lakers return to the National Basketball Association finals for the second-straight year on Thursday to face Orlando, who are making their second trip to the showcase in 14 years.

The Lakers are also looking for their 15th NBA championship and first since 2002, the last of three-straight titles.

Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant said Wednesday his team has some unfinished business to take care of when the finals begin at Staples Centre arena after losing to the Boston Celtics in 2008.

Magic meets Lakers in NBA Finals

2009-06-01T15:07:00.003+03:00

The Orlando Magic can no longer be ignored. After 14 frustrating years, a team overlooked and ignored all season sent LeBron James home and is on its way to face Kobe Bryant in the NBA finals.

Dwight Howard dominated inside for 40 points, Rashard Lewis added 18 and the Magic, a team that can make 3-pointers drop from thin air, hit 12 in a 103-90 victory ove'r James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals on Saturday night.

"Total domination," Lewis said. "He totally dominated. He carried us on his back tonight."

The Magic will be making their first finals appearance since 1995, one year before Shaquille O'Neal bolted as a free agent for Los Angeles, leaving this Florida franchise in ruins.

It's been a long, slow climb back, but Orlando has been rebuilt and will meet the Lakers on Thursday night at the Staples Center in Game 1.

Lakers in the Final

2009-05-30T19:41:00.000+03:00

Kobe Bryant scored 35 points to guide the Los Angeles Lakers back to the NBA Finals with a 119-92 rout of the Denver Nuggets on Friday, as the visitors closed out their Western Conference series in style.

Bryant added 10 assists while team mates Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom had 20 points apiece in one of the most complete post-season outings for the Lakers, who triumphed 4-2 in the best-of-seven series.

"We had the effort and the execution to match (tonight)," Bryant told reporters after clinching his sixth career NBA Finals appearance and second straight.

"It's been a physical march back to the finals. We're back to the place where we didn't finish our business last year.

"Hopefully we do it this year."

Los Angeles, who were beaten by the Boston Celtics in last year's title showdown, await the winner of the Eastern Conference finals series between the Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers.

Denver's Carmelo Anthony had a team-high 25 points while shooting just 6-for-17 from the field and J.R. Smith chipped in 24 points for the Nuggets, who struggled out of the gate and never recovered.

Cavaliers beat Magic to stay alive in NBA East

2009-05-29T14:53:00.001+03:00

LeBron James had a triple double as Cleveland staved off elimination by beating Orlando 112-102 in game five of the Eastern Conference championship series.

James and the Cavaliers clamped down in the fourth quarter after blowing a 22 point first half lead to cut the Magic's best-of-seven series lead to three games to two.

"It was a big game for us," said James, who had 37 points, 14 rebounds, 12 assists. "You never want to disappoint by not playing as hard as you can. It is win or go home."

Dwight Howard had 24 points and 10 rebounds before fouling out for the Magic who are trying to end a 14 year finals drought. Hedo Turkoglu led the Magic with 29 points.

James carried the Cavaliers on his back in the fourth as he had a hand in 29 of the 34 points Cleveland scored in the final 12 minutes.

He had 17 points in the final quarter and 24 in the first half.

"That's what great players do. They put teams on their back," said Cleveland coach Mike Brown.

Game six is Saturday in Orlando with game seven if necessary Monday in Cleveland.

Lakers dominate 4th Quarter to take Game 5 from Nuggets

2009-05-28T15:23:00.001+03:00

The Lakers owned the fourth quarter against Denver. Now they have a 3-2 lead in the Western Conference finals. Kobe Bryant scored 22 points, Lamar Odom had 19 points and 14 rebounds and Pau Gasol added 14 points and 10 rebounds in Los Angeles' 103-94 victory Wednesday night.

Game 6 is Friday in Denver, where the Lakers lost Game 4 by 19 points.

"Got to come ready to play," Bryant said. "We made a lot of mistakes the last time, the mistakes that took place were execution, and we didn't do things at the defensive end.

"We'll come ready to play."

Carmelo Anthony scored 31 points, hitting 12 of 13 free throws, and Kenyon Martin and Chauncey Billups added 12 points each for the Nuggets.

The teams were tied after the first, second and third quarters for just the fourth time in NBA playoff history.

So it all came down to the final 12 minutes.

Bryant, Odom and Gasol teamed for all but seven of the Lakers' points in the fourth. They opened on an 11-0 run for their first lead of the second half and it was capped by Shannon Brown's jumper that beat the shot clock.

The Nuggets used a 13-6 run to close to 93-89. Linas Kleiza scored seven straight and Anthony had six in the spurt.

But then the Lakers regained control and finished off the victory. They improved to 20-0 in Game 5s at home when a series is tied 2-2.

Magic - Cavaliers 116-114

2009-05-27T21:47:00.002+03:00

Dwight Howard scored 10 points in overtime and the Orlando Magic, raining down 3-pointers like a Florida thunderstorm, withstood 44 points and a last-second shot by LeBron James for a 116-114 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night to take a 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference finals.

Howard finished with 27 points, 14 rebounds and again made his free throws — 7 of 9 — for the resilient Magic, who made a team record 17 3-pointers — 11 after halftime.

Orlando can earn its first trip to the NBA finals since 1995 with a win in Game 5 on Thursday night in Cleveland.

Rafer Alston added 26 points and Rashard Lewis and Mickael Pietrus had 17 each for the Magic.

James was spectacular again, adding 12 rebounds and seven assists, but he had eight turnovers for the Cavs, whose season of seasons is slipping away.

Hornets' Chandler and Posey have successful surgeries

2009-05-27T21:38:00.006+03:00

James Posey
and
Tyson Chandler

The New Orleans Hornets say center Tyson Chandler and forward James Posey both had successful surgeries for their injuries.

Team spokesman Dennis Rogers said late Tuesday that Chandler had a procedure on his left ankle to relieve inflammation and another on his left toe.

Posey's surgery was on his right knee.

Chandler, who averaged 8.8 points, missed 29 games in the regular season and the last playoff game because of the ankle injury. His trade to Oklahoma City this year was rescinded because of concerns over the toe.

Posey, who averaged almost nine points as a reserve, hurt his knee in Game 3 of the first round of the playoffs against Denver but played through it.

Both are expected at training camp in October.

2009-05-26T15:04:00.002+03:00

The Nuggets beat the Los Angeles Lakers 120-101 on Monday night, evening the Western Conference finals at two games apiece.

A dominating effort on the boards and a great performance by the bench helped the Denver Nuggets overcome a below-par effort from an ailing Carmelo Anthony.

Chauncey Billups and J.R. Smith scored 24 points and Kenyon Martin had a double-double as the Nuggets posted their eighth blowout of the postseason but first against Los Angeles following three games that came down to the final seconds.

The Nuggets didn't need to worry about a botched inbounds pass in the closing seconds like the ones that cost them wins in Games 1 and 3, although Kobe Bryant had another monster fourth quarter in a furious attempt to put a stranglehold on the series that shifts to Los Angeles for Game 5 Wednesday night.

2009-05-25T20:01:00.002+03:00

Orlando Magic withstood a 41-point performance from LeBron James to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 99-89 and take a two games to one lead in their NBA semi-final series.

Dwight Howard had 24 points in just 28 minutes of playing time for the Magic who would have a 3-0 series lead if not for James' three point buzzer beater in game two.

"We just kept fighting," Howard said. "That's what we do. We fight to the end."

Howard, who sat most of the first half because of foul trouble, went 14-of-19 from the free throw line and had nine rebounds.

Orlando may not have been able to stop James on Sunday, but they controlled the rest of the Cavalier players.

Game four is Tuesday and in his dressing room speech immediately following the game, Magic coach Stan Van Gundy told the players to keep their celebrations to a minimum.

2009-05-24T17:13:00.002+03:00

Kobe Bryant's 3-pointer wasn't nearly as dramatic as LeBron James' but equally effective. Bryant's big shot over J.R. Smith gave Los Angeles a one-point lead with just over a minute left Saturday night and sparked the Lakers to a 103-97 victory over the downtrodden Denver Nuggets for a 2-1 lead in the Western Conference finals.

Bryant, who scored 41 points, went 5-of-6 on free throws to ice it after his 3-pointer gave Los Angeles a 96-95 lead.

Carmelo Anthony scored 21 points but just three after halftime for Denver, which lost at home for the first time since March 9. He was 4-for-13 in his worst performance of the postseason.

The Nuggets, who led most of the game but were done in by poor decisions and a failure to keep their composure, fell behind by four points when Trevor Ariza stole Kenyon Martin's inbounds pass, was fouled by Anthony and sank two foul shots for a 99-95 lead with 36 seconds left.

Chauncey Billups' two free throws made it 99-97, but Bryant sank two more free throws with 22 seconds remaining, Billups missed a 3-pointer and Bryant capped his big night with two more foul shots with 12 seconds left.

Game 4 will be on Monday , on Lakers' court.

You can check Kobe Bryant's amazing shot by scrolling down and playing the "Play of the day" video in the right of the page.

Carmelo "Melo" Anthony

2009-05-24T00:19:00.002+03:00

2009-05-23T20:26:00.005+03:00

Mavericks' forward Josh Howard underwent successful arthroscopic surgery to his left wrist and left ankle in New York.

Howard missed 22 games this season because of the ankle but returned in late March and helped the Mavericks to a first-round playoff win against San Antonio. They were eliminated after 5 games by Denver. He averaged 15.8 points during the playoffs.

The team expects Howard back in Dallas this weekend to begin rehabilitation.