|
|
| Ray Allen was 5-for-13 from the field, including two 3-pointers, on his way to 19 points. Allen was also 7-for-8 from the line. |
Our View: The big news tonight was that Allen pulled down eight boards, though only one was on the offensive glass. Still, he was very active as he also handed out five assists for a very solid all-around effort.
|
|
|
|
| Pau Gasol scored 15 points with eight rebounds and four assists in the Lakers Game 1 Finals loss to the Celtics. Lamar Odom added 14 points and six rebounds in support. |
Our View: It's not like Kevin Garnett went wild, he only scored 24 points, but it's pretty clear that Gasol doesn't have the quickness to shut down Garnett if he has to guard him 1-on-1. Gasol wasn't bad on the night, but he will need to be better.
|
|
|
|
| Kevin Garnett led the Celtics in scoring with 24 points, Paul Pierce had 22, as the Celtics defeated the Lakers 98-88 in Game 1 of the Finals. |
Our View: Garnett also hauled in 13 boards in the victory, and he had an emphatic dunk late to seal the victory. Kobe Bryant disappeared in this one, not so with Garnett.
|
|
|
|
| Kobe Bryant scored 24 points, but he was just 9-for-26 from the field and didn't score in the last five minutes of the game in the Lakers 98-88 loss to the Celtics in Game 1 of the Finals. |
Our View: The Lakers simply can't win with an effort like this from Bryant. What's strange is that Kobe just disappeared down the stretch. Do league MVP's do that in the Finals?
|
|
|
|
| Paul Pierce collided with teammate Kendrick Perkins in the third quarter and was down for several minutes before being carried of the court and eventually taken to the locker room in a wheel chair, according to the Associated Press. Pierce returned minutes later with a sleeve on his right leg. |
Our View: Pierce appeared to be doing his best Willis Reed impersonation tonight returning to inspire the troops.
|
|
|
|
| The Cavs are believed to be interested in Jermaine ONeal and they have been reported to be offering the pick and other considerations to bring in O'Neal, according to Cleveland.com. |
Our View: O'Neal is due over $44 million the next two seasons, so any trade in the salary cap era of the NBA will be extremely difficult to accomplish. Still, he clearly would welcome a trade to the right team, and we would have to think that the Cavs would qualify as one of those teams.
|
|
|
|
| Retired sharp shooter Allan Houston has been working out in Phoenix and might follow in the footsteps of another injured former star (Grant Hill) and sign with the Suns, according to the Arizona Republic. |
Our View: Who knows just what Houston has left after a failed comeback attempt last season that ended after one preseason game where it was clear that his injured knee just wouldn't respond. The Suns have done wonders for Hill, so perhaps they can do something for Houston as well.
|
|
|
|
| Adam Morrison and teammate Sean May are both dealing with injuries to their knees, and as a result neither will play in the Las Vegas summer-league, according to the Charlotte Observer. |
Our View: Morrison had a disappointing rookie season that ended with his knee injury. The team hopes he will be recovered in time to be at full strength for the start of training camp, but at this point, that is far from certain.
|
|
|
|
| Jameer Nelson will be the Magic's starter at point guard next season, but the team will likely be in the market for a backup since both Carlos Arroyo and Keyon Dooling are unrestricted free agents who are unlikely to return, according to the Orlando Sentinel. |
Our View: The Magic will undergo a fair amount of change including possibly adding back to the fold Tony Battie who missed the season due to an injured shoulder.
|
|
|
|
| Harrah's Entertainment will not be allowed to take any bets for the Laker-Celtics Finals because it is owned by Gary Loveman, a 2.4% minority owner in the Celtics, according to the Associated Press. |
Our View: For those of you who live to watch the World Poker Tour on television, we thought we would point this out. For those of you that don't, please forgive us for wasting 15 seconds of your time.
|
|
|
|
| Dwyane Wade spends the off-season in his Chicago-area hometown (attended Richards high school), but don't count on him becoming a member of the Bulls, according to the Miami Herald. The Heat are said to have no interest in trading Wade, even for the number one pick in the NBA Draft. |
Our View: Wade had trouble staying healthy during a nightmarish campaign for the Heat, but he is a five-time All-Star and was the NBA Finals MVP in 2006. He should bounce back next season, along with the Heat franchise.
|
|
|
|
| Jermaine ONeal's reps told the Pacers that he will not opt out of the final two years of his contract that pays him $44 million, according to the Indianapolis Star. O'Neal has until June 30 to decide whether to become an unrestricted free agent.
|
Our View: O'Neal still may not return to the team, however, as they reportedly would like to trade him. His left knee has bothered him for over two years, and he hasn't played more than 69 games in any of his past four seasons. He only averaged 13.6 points and 6.7 boards in 2007-08, and his numbers do not justify his high salary.
|
|
