You heard it hear first...

[dogs24]

I won't be audacious enough to predict that LA wins this series, although I am close to making such a stellar prediction...

But this series definitely goes six, and maybe seven. I don't care how dominated the Lakes have looked in the first 3 games...the team that was expected to get spanked by an injured Indy team will not knock off the Lakes with such ease. The beast will rise. Malone and Payton will recognize that this really truly is the end of the line. Kobe will explode.

And the Lakers will make it a series. And maybe, just maybe pull it out.

All they have to do is win one of the next two in LA, and they'd be more than a serious fave to sweep in LA.

Bank on it.

 

[Journeyman]

But he is hurt and will not stop anyone the rest of this series

 

[wilheim]

That is typical thinking by Laker fans, if somehow they win another game in this series the faithful Laker followers will be "I told you so" all over again. In case you didn't notice the Lakers were life and death just to split at home in the the first two games of the series, so why would they be big favs to sweep in LA?


wil.

 

[NickyDeuces]

This being the NBA, anything is possible. But if the Lakers couldn't get up for game one at home, and then couldn't get up for game three off losing home court advantage, not a whole lot but conjecture to indicate the Lakers will bring anything more in game four.

 

[dogs24]

Remember the San Antonio...left for dead, down 2-0 and left for dead against a team with a bona fide MVP that beat them last year.

I'm not a Laker fan, all this demonstrates to me is the stupidity of basketball, that a team can sleepwalk until they decide to turn it on and then destroy the opposition. Can't do that in baseball...

Lakers will rise. Pistons may not win another game.

 

[Horseshoe]

dogs24, I don't know, as I bet LA vs SA in Gms 1,3, 4,& 6, as they were close at the turn of the 4th of Gm-1&2 in SA, and most importantly were a better matchup with them, also you could sense that LA played with revenge in them against the Spurs, plus the aging Laker stars were not as fatigued at that juncture(as appear now), nor was SA as deep in talent, nor tenacious defensively as is Detroit & it's bench.

It's not a question of is Det better than SA, but whether they may be a tougher matchup for them X & O wise, matchup wise, legs wise, or simply tougher at this juncture/fatigue(Det thru East opposed to LA vs. tough Hou, Champ SA, and nice matchups edge vs Minny/MVP)..a tough run for just two men to carry all the weight?

I do think Larry Brown as a coach, his team defensively, and his city's fans/arena are the toughest LA has seen thus far..and if Billups, Prince, & Hamilton can keep shooting the ball straight..fughetaboutit!

 

[ChuckSims]

Believe you and not my lying eyes? Open your eyes and get rid of your bias. Malone is on one leg and hurting the team. Payton is old and does not fit in the Laker system. I don't think this gets back to LA.

 

[winkyduck]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Chuck Sims:

I don't think this gets back to LA.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

that would require the pistons to sweep the middle 3 - something that has NEVER been done before by the home team - and that includes jordan's bulls. it ain't gonna start now. even if lakers come home down 3-2 they will still win it.

 

[wilheim]

Look at backcourt comparison tonite, Detroit's starting backcourt was so dominant, it outscored the Lakers' 50-17. Hamilton scored 31 points and Billups had 19, Hamilton made 11 of 22 shots and scored 30 points for the third time this postseason, falling just two points short of his career-playoff high. Billups went 5-for-11. Both made all seven of their free throws and each had three assists. They are averaging a combined 45.7 points against the Lakers. Will this kind of domination continue? You betcha.


wil.

 

[EveryGamblersDream]

%'s say you can't shoot that well every game in a series. I haven't played anything in this series but getting a huge favorite in the Lakers at a rock bottom price is a good investment imo win or lose.

I wasn't foolish enough to bet the opening series line but I doubt I'll pass up on it now. This series will go back to LA. I can't see Detroit sweeping the 3 middle games.

 

[JimFiestSux]

Lakers are VERY FORTUNATE not to be down 0-3. Rest of the series might see OVER games!!

 

[ethan]

I am a laker fan from LA. All I can say is this is great. I am tired of watching easy finals. This year I am sitting in front of the TV as if I have a dime on every shot. It all makes for great TV. I hope the Lakers win in 7, cuz after this it is just bases.

 

[Kiss1]

As long as Payton and Malone are starting the Lakers have no chance.