The Los Angeles Lakers are now one game away from the 15th NBA title in franchise history after a thrilling 99-91 OT comeback victory in Game Four of the NBA Finals that put the Orlando Magic on the brink of elimination in a 3-1 series hole.
The Lakers could not play defense without fouling in the first half and the Magic took advantage.
Orlando's perimeter shooting would be strongly affected by the return of the Lakers defense in the second half.
After the Magic set NBA records for all-time finals shooting percentages in Game Three, they appeared tight missing several wide open jump shots enroute to shooting just 41.9 percent in Game Four.
Trailing by 12 points at the halfway mark, the Lakers got a much needed boost from the unproven hand of fourth-year forward Trevor Ariza (16 pts, 9 rebs, 2 asts, 2 stls) to get back in the game.
In the pivotal third period, Ariza caught fire scoring a baker's dozen on a pair of three-pointers, a dunk, a layup, a running jump shot and notched three out of four free-throw attempts. He also had a steal and two rebounds helping the Lakers to impose their will and forge ahead.
The Lakers outscored the Magic 30-14 in the quarter and took a 67-63 lead into the final period of regulation that set the stage for the spectacular finish and eventual overtime session.
Orlando was also handcuffed by 15 missed opportunities at the free-throw line and 19 turnovers which contributed significantly to their woes.
Read more at Bleacher Report.
Showing posts with label Trevor Ariza. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Trevor Ariza. Show all posts
May 24, 2009
Lakers Bust Nuggets 103-97 Take 2-1 Series Lead In Western Conf Finals
DENVER - The Los Angeles Lakers arrived to the Pepsi Center with their minds focused on one thing. Regaining the home-court advantage in the Western Conference Finals.
Kobe Bryant, A*K*A the "Black Mamba", was visibly drained and fatigued by game's end but still managed to torch the Denver Nuggets for 41 points on 50% shooting, leading his team to the six point Game Three victory over the Nuggets 103 -97 at the Pepsi Center. It was the ninth time he has reached the 40-point plateau in his illustrious career.
The Nuggets loss was their first in 16 straight home games including the playoffs.
The Lakers' defense helped Carmelo Anthony return to earth holding Denver's only significant scoring threat to 21 pts on 4-13 shooting, ending his consecutive game streak of 30 + points at five games.
Playing in their first Western Conference Finals home game in 24 years, the Nuggets were full of emotion and high energy but, too often their emotion was negative ultimately leading to three costly technical fouls that amounted to three huge points for the Lakers.
Read more on Bleacher Report
May 22, 2009
Denver storms back 106-103 ties series
LOS ANGELES - Carmelo Anthony has officially arrived and the Denver Nuggets found a way to get tough down the stretch making a resounding a statement tying the best-of -seven Western Conference finals series at one game apiece with a 106-103 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center.
Carmelo out dueled his Olympic teammate Kobe Bryant tonight, with his second 30-point game of the series, scoring 34 points on 12-29 shooting. After the Lakers ran out to a fast 14-point lead in the first half but the offense of the purple and gold stalled, stiffened and sputtered in the second half.
They appeared to get cold feet with poor offensive rotations, costly turnovers and poor free-throw shooting ultimately making enough mistakes to lose the home-court advantage.
However, the Denver Nuggets' defense had a lot to do with the come from their behind victory, forcing three huge 24-second shot clock violations. The Lakers led the Nuggets in almost every statistical category, shooting 45.5 % from the field, 40% from 3-point land, forced 14 Denver turnovers and controlled the paint with 52 points (though 40 of those points came in the first half) but when it counted they could not hit the easy ones.
Read the rest of the story on Bleacher Report
May 20, 2009
NBA Conf Finals update...Orlando and LA hold 1-0 leads
West Finals
LOS ANGELES - Carmelo Anthony poured in everything and the kitchen sink hurling in a heroic 39 points and making four huge 3-pointers in humbling defeat against the No. 1 seeded Los Angeles Lakers who held home court 107-105 before the usual star-studded packed Staples Center. Always the leader for the Lakers Kobe Bryant dropped in 40 helping take the early lead in a series that promises to live up to the hype. But the play of the night belonged to an oft victim, Trevor Ariza (6pts, 5rebs, 2assists), who proved to be victor when his team needed him most.
Ariza, a four-year veteran out of UCLA, had the dubious task of trying to match up against the fierce onslaught from Melo, who wouldn't be denied. Still with 30.5 to go Trevor wasn't holding his head down. After two clutch free throws from Kobe Bryant gave L. A. a slim lead 101-99 Ariza seized on the horrible inbound pass from Denver's Anthony Carter going over and through the outstretched arms of Mr. Big shot himself Chauncey Billups then wisely dribbling out a few precious seconds off the clock before finding Bryant who was fouled and hit the final two of his 40 from the line sealing the victory and sending L. A. to an early 1-0 lead in the series.
East Finals
CLEVELAND - The Cavaliers played a perfect game for about two and a half quarters then slowly melted away a 14-point lead and the home court advantage in their game 1 loss 107-106 against D. Howard and the upstart Orlando Magic. The fans in Cleveland are still in shock. They watched helplessly as the game slipped right through the fingers of the Cavs. D. Howard( 30 pts,13 rebs) had a front-row seat after he fouled out late in the fourth quarter but his services would not be needed. After Labron gave the Cavs the slim advantage 106-104, Rashard "Young Fella" Lewis provided the 3-point dagger to silence the crowd and complete the jaw dropping display. The Cavaliers fell in love with the high flying thunderous Labron show early on and when their MVP showed signs of mortality late, his teammates were invisible down the stretch.
James (49 pts, 8 assts, 6 rebs) did all he could to will his team to victory driving to the basket in the final moments of the game but the Magic's defense stiffened closing down the paint forcing him to kick the ball back out but the Cavs rotated the ball to Delonte West who missed a wide open and unneccessary three-pointer. Two steps forward, he probably sinks the 20-footer and the home fans go home with smiles. The Cavs would earn a jump ball after a scrum under their basket but with only 1.0 remaining their hopes laid in an off-balanced heave from Williams that clanged the back of the rim sending the Cavs to their first playoff defeat. Orlando now holds the keys to the castle ahead 1-0 in the series having at best already earned a split.
LOS ANGELES - Carmelo Anthony poured in everything and the kitchen sink hurling in a heroic 39 points and making four huge 3-pointers in humbling defeat against the No. 1 seeded Los Angeles Lakers who held home court 107-105 before the usual star-studded packed Staples Center. Always the leader for the Lakers Kobe Bryant dropped in 40 helping take the early lead in a series that promises to live up to the hype. But the play of the night belonged to an oft victim, Trevor Ariza (6pts, 5rebs, 2assists), who proved to be victor when his team needed him most.
Ariza, a four-year veteran out of UCLA, had the dubious task of trying to match up against the fierce onslaught from Melo, who wouldn't be denied. Still with 30.5 to go Trevor wasn't holding his head down. After two clutch free throws from Kobe Bryant gave L. A. a slim lead 101-99 Ariza seized on the horrible inbound pass from Denver's Anthony Carter going over and through the outstretched arms of Mr. Big shot himself Chauncey Billups then wisely dribbling out a few precious seconds off the clock before finding Bryant who was fouled and hit the final two of his 40 from the line sealing the victory and sending L. A. to an early 1-0 lead in the series.
East Finals
CLEVELAND - The Cavaliers played a perfect game for about two and a half quarters then slowly melted away a 14-point lead and the home court advantage in their game 1 loss 107-106 against D. Howard and the upstart Orlando Magic. The fans in Cleveland are still in shock. They watched helplessly as the game slipped right through the fingers of the Cavs. D. Howard( 30 pts,13 rebs) had a front-row seat after he fouled out late in the fourth quarter but his services would not be needed. After Labron gave the Cavs the slim advantage 106-104, Rashard "Young Fella" Lewis provided the 3-point dagger to silence the crowd and complete the jaw dropping display. The Cavaliers fell in love with the high flying thunderous Labron show early on and when their MVP showed signs of mortality late, his teammates were invisible down the stretch.
James (49 pts, 8 assts, 6 rebs) did all he could to will his team to victory driving to the basket in the final moments of the game but the Magic's defense stiffened closing down the paint forcing him to kick the ball back out but the Cavs rotated the ball to Delonte West who missed a wide open and unneccessary three-pointer. Two steps forward, he probably sinks the 20-footer and the home fans go home with smiles. The Cavs would earn a jump ball after a scrum under their basket but with only 1.0 remaining their hopes laid in an off-balanced heave from Williams that clanged the back of the rim sending the Cavs to their first playoff defeat. Orlando now holds the keys to the castle ahead 1-0 in the series having at best already earned a split.
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