emptythebench.com - 5/17/2008
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If you could bottle a stretch of Lakers basketball and replay it endlessly for the rest of the season, it would be the first half of Game 6. The Lakers looked like true championship contenders, playing inspired team ball. If they can summon and sustain the brand of basketball they played in the first half of Friday in their next series, they’re going to the NBA Finals, regardless of opponent.
Paul Pierce Versus The World
dimemag.com 5/17/2008 — Paul Pierce
Explain this one to us: With all the talent that has been brought in to support him, why is Paul Pierce still going 1-on-5 on seemingly every Celtics’ crunch-time possession, especially in a game where he’s not shooting well? ...
Game Thread - Lakers at Jazz, Game 6
lakersblog.latimes.com 5/17/2008 — Boston couldn't win on the road earlier, nor New Orleans last night. Here's hoping third time is the proverbial charm. AK
Game Notes: Lakers @ Jazz, Game 6
slamonline.com 5/17/2008 — by Marcel Mutoni
I didn’t get nervous. Not once. Not when the Jazz cut the lead to single digits midway through the fourth quarter; not even when they sliced it to three with under a minute remaining.
Like any fan who invests way too much ...
Lakers are now the team to beat
inhistoric.com 5/17/2008 — With Boston's inability to win a single road game and the Lakers' prowess at closing out series, there's no question who has been more impressive.
Bryant Leads Lakers to First Western Conference Finals Berth Since 2004
20secondtimeout.blogspot.com 5/18/2008 — Kobe Bryant had 34 points, eight rebounds and six assists as the L.A. Lakers beat the Utah Jazz 108-105 to advance to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2004. Bryant scored 12 points in the fourth quarter--all of them in the last 4:54, including six straight free throws in the final 2:12--as the Lakers held off a furious late rally by the Jazz.
Lakers get break before West finals (AP) —
Yahoo! Sports - NBA News 5/17/2008
Derek Fisher says the road to the NBA title goes through San Antonio since the Spurs are the defending league champions. The veteran Lakers guard also pays homage to New Orleans as an up-and-coming club that must be taken seriously. Fisher is ...