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TV ratings down from last Celtics-Lakers Game 6

Posted by Prince Malachi The First on June 16, 2010 at 11:02am

NEW YORK – Television ratings for Game 6 of the NBA finals were down from the last one between the Lakers and Celtics, which was also a blowout but crowned a champion.

Los Angeles' 89-67 win Tuesday on ABC drew a 12.3 overnight rating, down 4 percent from the 12.8 for Boston's lopsided clinching victory in 2008. This time there will be a rare Game 7 — just the third in 22 years — and the chance for a big rating on Thursday.

The last non-clinching Game 6, Pistons-Spurs in 2005, earned a 10.5 — 15

Lakers rout Celts, force Game 7 in NBA finals

Posted by Prince Malachi The First on June 15, 2010 at 9:01pm

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LOS ANGELES (AP)—Buckle up, Boston and L.A. These epic NBA finals are going to Game 7.

Kobe Bryant (notes) made sure of it, with plenty of help from the rest of the revitalized Los Angeles Lakers.Bryant scored 26 points, Pau Gasol (notes) added 17 points and 13 rebounds, and the Lakers emphatically extended the NBA finals to a decisive seventh game with a 89-67 victory over the Boston Celtics in Game 6 on Tuesday night.

Ron Artest (notes) added 15 points for the Lakers, who stared down elimination

Lakers race to 51-31 lead at halftime of Game 6

Posted by Prince Malachi The First on June 15, 2010 at 6:30pm

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LOS ANGELES – Kobe Bryant scored 15 points as the Los AngelesLakers, trying to save their season, opened a 51-31 lead over the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night at halftime of Game 6 of the NBA finals.

Trying to force the first Game 7 in the finals in five years, the Lakersled by as much as 22 in a dominant performance over the first 24 minutes after dropping the last two games to fall into a 3-2 deficit.

Ron Artest, who has struggled offensively, added 10 points, while the Lakers' reserves playe

Late surge lifts Celtics over Lakers

Posted by Prince Malachi The First on June 10, 2010 at 8:32pm

Ronald Martinez / Getty Images

Boston's Glen Davis (11) and Nate Robinson celebrate during the fourth quarter of Thursday's game against the Lakers.

By JIMMY GOLEN, AP Sports Writer

BOSTON – The Boston Celtics have tied up the NBA finals, and they owe it more to "Big Baby" than the Big Three.

Backup Glen "Big Baby" Davis scored half of his 18 points in the fourth quarter, leading the Celtics bench as Boston pulled away from the Los Angeles Lakers to win 96-89 on Thursday night and even the

Bryant, Fisher lead Lakers to victory in Game 3

Posted by Prince Malachi The First on June 8, 2010 at 9:33pm

BOSTON (AP)—Derek Fisher (notes) broke down the court after yet another miss by Ray Allen (notes). Nothing between him and the basket, and nothing—not even three hard-charging Celtics—was going to keep the Los Angeles Lakers guard from finishing off a Game 3 victory.

“He saw the opening and went and made a very bold play. … It was imperative that it goes in for us to win,” Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. “When he’s got an opportunity to hit a key shot, it seems like he’s always there and ready

Tough Lakers beat Boston 102-89 in finals opener

Posted by Prince Malachi The First on June 3, 2010 at 8:46pm

LOS ANGELES (AP)—So the Celtics want to play rough again? Kobe Bryant (notes) and the Lakers look ready this time around, and they barged into an early lead in the NBA finals.

Bryant scored 30 points, Pau Gasol (notes) had 23 points and 14 rebounds, and defending champion Los Angeles got tough in a 102-89 victory over Boston in the NBA finals opener Thursday night.

Lakers, Celtics chase history with multiple titles

Posted by Prince Malachi The First on June 3, 2010 at 8:28am

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By GREG BEACHAM,

LOS ANGELES – When Kobe Bryant joined the Lakers and Paul Pierce landed with the Celtics in the late 1990s, they both learned most of what they needed to know about their franchises' histories and expectations simply by looking at the forests of fabric high above the court.

These teams only hang banners for championships, and they're usually in big groups.

Multiple titles are the only metric of success, the only validation still interesting to Bryant and Pierce. Bryant is trying

, Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James gestures during the … By TOM WITHERS, AP Sports Writer CLEVELAND – One month from the start of the NBA's free agency frenzy, LeBron James has handicapped his

Posted by Prince Malachi The First on June 1, 2010 at 9:00pm

, Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James gestures during the …

By TOM WITHERS, AP Sports Writer

CLEVELAND – One month from the start of the NBA's free agency frenzy, LeBron James has handicapped his field of suitors.

The Cleveland Cavaliers lead the pack.

In his first interview since the Cavs' season ended with a shocking, second-round loss to Boston, James told CNN's Larry King that Cleveland has "an edge" to re-sign him when the greatest collection of free agents in league history hits the o

NBA finals is Lakers-Celtics, Part 12

Posted by Prince Malachi The First on May 29, 2010 at 8:14pm

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AP – Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant reacts against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of Game 6 …

By BRIAN MAHONEY

Here comes Kobe Bryant's chance against the team that beat him last time.

He's far from the only Lakers great to fall short against Boston.

Get ready for Lakers-Celtics, Part 12, the league's most storied franchises renewing their rivalry in the NBA finals.

Boston beat Los Angeles in the 2008 finals, with a dominant defense that made life miserable for Bryant, that season

Clippers fans march in LA streets for LeBron

Posted by Prince Malachi The First on May 27, 2010 at 6:58pm

LOS ANGELES (AP)—A band of Los Angeles Clippers fans has taken to the streets outside Staples Center to show love for LeBron James(notes).

At least 75 Clippers fans in red-and-blue gear waved signs and chanted slogans as they marched up and down Chick Hearn Court on Thursday night in the hours before Game 5 of the Western Conference finals between the Lakers and the Phoenix Suns.

With signs displaying the No. 6, which will be James’ uniform number next year, the fans chanted “We want the King!

Magic stun Celtics to stay alive in series

Posted by Prince Malachi The First on May 26, 2010 at 9:50pm

ORLANDO (Reuters) – The Orlando Magic again staved off elimination in the Eastern Conference final with a commanding and occasionally physical 113-92 win against the Boston Celtics in Game Five on Wednesday.

Two days after beating the Celtics 96-92 in an overtime thriller in Boston to stay alive, the Magic delivered a confident display on their home court to trail 3-2 in the best-of-seven series.

Guard Jameer Nelson top scored for Orlando with 24 points while muscular center Dwight Howard weighe

Reserves dominate Lakers, Suns win 115-106

Posted by Prince Malachi The First on May 25, 2010 at 10:39pm

By BOB BAUM, AP Sports Writer

PHOENIX – The Los Angeles Lakers were outnumbered and outplayed in the desert.

The Phoenix Suns got a decisive performance from their hustling bench to overcome Kobe Bryant's 38-point, 10-assist performance and beat the Lakers 115-106 in Game 4 of the Western Conference finalson Tuesday night.

A series that looked like a Lakers' breeze a week ago is all

Magic take Celtics to OT and on to Game 5

Posted by Prince Malachi The First on May 24, 2010 at 11:30pm

BOSTON (AP)—Put away the brooms. Hold off on those “Beat L.A!” chants. The Boston Celtics still have some work to do before they can play for their second NBA title in three years.

Dwight Howard (notes) had 32 points and 16 rebounds, and Jameer Nelson (notes) made back-to-back 3-pointers in overtime to lead the Orlando Magic to a 96-92 victory over Boston on Monday night to avoid a four-game sweep in the Eastern Conference finals.

Celtics cruise past Magic; open 3-0 lead in series

Posted by Prince Malachi The First on May 22, 2010 at 9:27pm

By JIMMY GOLEN, AP Sports Writer

BOSTON – There were still 20 seconds left in the game when Paul Pierce decided he didn't need to see any more and headed to the locker room.

In the hallway, he repeated aloud: "One more. One more."

Pierce helped the Celtics open a 16-point, first-quarter lead, then watched as Rajon Rondo and Glen "Big Baby" Davis helped Boston coast to a 94-71 victo

Lakers hold off Suns, take 2-game West finals lead

Posted by Prince Malachi The First on May 19, 2010 at 8:00pm

Phoenix Suns forward Amare Stoudemire, center, is double-teamed by Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant, left, and Ron Artest during the second half in Gam

AP – Phoenix Suns forward Amare Stoudemire, center, is double-teamed by Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant, left, …By GREG BEACHAM

LOS ANGELES – Pau Gasol scored 14 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter, Kobe Bryant had 21 points and 13 assists, and the LosAngeles Lakers roared away in the final minutes for a 124-112 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night to claim a 2-0 lead in theWestern Conference finals.

Ron Artest scored 18 points for the Lakers, who won their eighth straight playo

Jackson has discussed pay cut with Lakers

Posted by Prince Malachi The First on May 19, 2010 at 7:30pm

LOS ANGELES (AP)—Phil Jackson has discussed taking a pay cut if he returns to coach the Los Angeles Lakers next season.

Jackson confirmed the discussions Wednesday night before Game 2 of the Western Conference finals against the Phoenix Suns.

The 10-time NBA champion coach is making about $12 million in the final year of his contract with the Lakers, thought to be the biggest for a coach in league history. Jackson still hasn’t said whether he plans to coach anywhere next season.

Jeanie Buss,

Celtics top Magic, take 2-0 lead in East finals

Posted by Prince Malachi The First on May 18, 2010 at 10:00pm

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AP – Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo (9) drives in for a shot as Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard (12) …

By ANTONIO GONZALEZ, Associated Press Writer – 43 mins ago

ORLANDO, Fla. – Too slow? Too old?

Try two wins from the NBA finals.

Indeed, the Boston Celtics look like they saved their best this season for when it mattered most.

"I know," Boston's Paul Pierce said. "It's starting to look that way."

Pierce scored 28 points, Rajon Rondo had 25 and the revived Celtics again avoided a late collap

Celtics advance, eliminate LeBron, Cavs in 6 games

Posted by Prince Malachi The First on May 13, 2010 at 8:31pm

By JIMMY GOLEN, AP Sports Writer – 16 mins ago

BOSTON – The Boston Celtics sent LeBron James and the Cavaliers back to Cleveland to admire all of their regular-season accomplishments.

It's the Celtics who are still in the chase for an NBA title.

Kevin Garnett scored 22 points and added 12 rebounds, and Rajon Rondo had 21 points and 12 assists to beat Cleveland 94-85 in Game 6 on

Fans overwhelm website aimed at keeping Wade in Miami

Posted by Prince Malachi The First on May 13, 2010 at 4:06pm

MIAMI (Reuters) – Miami Heat fans overwhelmed a website Thursday aimed at keeping six-times All-Star and potential free agent Dwyane Wade with the team.

The site (www.wewantwade.com) crashed within hours of the Heat's announcement of its creation and technicians were moving it to new servers to accommodate the interest, the Heat's chief marketing officer, Michael McCullough, told Reuters.

Wade, a Chicago native and the fifth overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, can become a free agent this summer

Celtics stun Cavs, take 3-2 lead in series

Posted by Prince Malachi The First on May 11, 2010 at 9:03pm

CLEVELAND (AP)—His team down by 27 points and a promising season suddenly in peril,

LeBron James (notes)walked off the floor to a smattering of boos and rows of empty seats.

If this was goodbye Cleveland, it wasn’t the send-off he imagined.

nba (547)

TV ratings down from last Celtics-Lakers Game 6

Lakers rout Celts, force Game 7 in NBA finals

Lakers race to 51-31 lead at halftime of Game 6

Late surge lifts Celtics over Lakers

Bryant, Fisher lead Lakers to victory in Game 3

Tough Lakers beat Boston 102-89 in finals opener

Lakers, Celtics chase history with multiple titles

, Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James gestures during the … By TOM WITHERS, AP Sports Writer CLEVELAND – One month from the start of the NBA's free agency frenzy, LeBron James has handicapped his

NBA finals is Lakers-Celtics, Part 12

Clippers fans march in LA streets for LeBron

Magic stun Celtics to stay alive in series

Reserves dominate Lakers, Suns win 115-106

Magic take Celtics to OT and on to Game 5

Celtics cruise past Magic; open 3-0 lead in series

Lakers hold off Suns, take 2-game West finals lead

Jackson has discussed pay cut with Lakers

Celtics top Magic, take 2-0 lead in East finals

Celtics advance, eliminate LeBron, Cavs in 6 games

Fans overwhelm website aimed at keeping Wade in Miami

Celtics stun Cavs, take 3-2 lead in series

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