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The Boston Celtics narrowly escaped from a great comeback by the Los Angeles Lakers in the second game of the 2008 NBA Finals.

The Celtics led for most part of the game. With a very comfortable 24-point lead a little more than 7 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, everyone, including the Celtics, thought that the game was over. But the Lakers had other ideas in mind. The fired up Kobe Bryant, who had to battle his way throughout the game, challenged his teammates as they slowly climbed their way into the game. The lead was cut down to as close as 2 points at 104-102 behind Kobe Bryant’s two free throws less than a minute remaining. On the next play, Paul Pierce carried the Celtics as he got fouled while driving to the basket. He calmly sank the two free throws to make it a two possession ballgame and kept the Lakers at bay.

The Celtics blew a big lead in the fourth quarter by letting their guard down, but narrowly escaped an embarrassing loss from the Lakers. The Celtics came out with the win and advanced the series lead to 2-0.

The Lakers hope to finally have a taste of a win in the series as they head back to Los Angelese for game 3 on Tuesday night.

it’s around 3 hours before the 2008 NBA Finals.  The buzz is on the air.  It’s the the renewal of the legendary rivalry of the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers. 

Over the past few days, people can’t seem to get enough of the coming NBA Finals.  Some of my friends are betting on the big three of Boston Celtics, Garnett, Allen and Pierce to deliver the first blood tonight.  Others are confident that Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and the rest of the Lakers team will be able to snatch a win in Boston.  A few are even taking a time off from the office to watch the live telecast at home.

It’s 3 hours before the NBA Finals tip off and the anticipation and excitement is already on the air.  This is the battle of two great teams.  This is history.  This is destiny.  Let’s get it on!

I have just watched game 6 game 5 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals.  The Boston Celtics beat the Detroit Pistons 106-102 to come 1 game away from the NBA Finals.  The Celtics lead the series 3-2.  A win on Friday at Detroit will bring the Celtics to the NBA Finals for the first time since Larry Bird dominated the NBA in the 80’s.

The Los Angeles Lakers, on the other hand, can end the Western Conference Finals this Thursday at home when they battle it out against the defending NBA Champions San Antonio Spurs.  So far, Kobe and the rest of the Lakers, have matched up well against the Spurs as they lead the series 3-1.  A win will bring them to the NBA Finals for the first time since the Kobe-Shaq era. 

If the Celtics and Lakers reach the NBA Finals, a great rivalry of NBA may be revived.  These 2 teams have been battling it out in the NBA for decades.  Celtics holds the best record in NBA Championship history.  But only one team has stood on its way.  The Lakers.  Will it bring back NBA’s glorious days of Bill Russell vs Wilt Chamberlain?  How about the showtime moves of Ervin Magic Johnson vs the great shooting touch of Larry Bird? Will Kobe vs the big three Garnett, Pierce and Allen live up to the legacy of those great players?  It is indeed a great rivalry…but first, the Lakers and Celtics have to take care of business and wrap up the Conference Finals.  Until then, it’s anybody’s ballgame… 

I’ve been watching the NBA playoffs these past few weeks. Just this morning I checked out the NBA website and was surprised to see all playoff teams already in the second round except for the Boston Celtics. Boston Celtics had the best record of the season. They have the “big three” superstars Allen, Garnett and Pierce. It’s even more surprising to see that the reason they are not yet in the second round is that an 8-seeded Atlanta Hawks team forced them to a game 7. Atlanta Hawks, the team with more losses than wins during the season, the team with young talents.

I can’t wait to see game 7. Will the Boston Celtics choke? Will the Atlanta Hawks pull out the biggest upset of all time? It remains to be seen. But it certainly is entertaining.