SPORTS HITS

Russell Martin went 4 for 4 with a home run and three RBI’s as the Los Angeles Dodgers stopped the New York Mets 9-5. Dodgers prized pitching prospect Clayton Kershaw lasted into the fourth inning before being removed and Chan Ho Park came in and shut down the Mets to help the Dodgers get the win. The New York bullpen let down Mets fans again as they gave up 5 runs in the eighth inning and that was all the Dodgers needed to grab the win.

Friday, May 30th

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It has been 21 years since the Boston Celtics has played in the NBA finals, but no longer as the Big Three Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen combined for 60 points to lead Boston to a 89-81 win over the Detroit Pistons and a spot in the NBA Finals. The Celtics played very well last night when it counted in the fourth quarter. During this series that is when the Celtics would usually struggle, but this time it was the Pistons who had a bad fourth quarter and it cost them the game.

The Detroit Pistons made another Eastern Conference Finals only to see another team head to the NBA Finals. They really have no one to blame, but themselves. When they needed guys to make shots last night it did not happen. When you blow leads down the stretch your going to get beat and that is what happened. What’s next for the Pistons? That is a good question as I look for Flip Saunders to be given his walking papers after this lost.

Well it should be a great NBA Finals as you will have two teams that earned their way into it and both have great players and traditions. The first game is Thursday in Boston so we will have to see what happens as both teams will be rested.

Kobe Bryant scored 17 of his 39 points in the fourth quarter as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the San Antonio Spurs by a score of 100-92 and now will advance to the NBA Finals. Bryant was unstoppable last night as he cut up the Spurs defense at will. When Kobe is on he is very hard to stop and tonight that was the case. Bryant has a very good team around him which makes it tough to double team him. During the off-season it did not look like Bryant was going to be a Laker and he wanted out. Fast forward a few months and now Kobe is at peace with himself and his teammates. What a difference a few months make.

For the San Antonio Spurs it was a case of a younger team that had a superstar that they just had no answers for. When they needed to get a defensive stop they just could not do that. The Spurs will be back as they need to add some depth to their lineup as the Western Conference is loaded with great teams. For now it is the Lakers time to shine.

With the Lakers winning they could have a long rest as the Boston-Detroit series could easily go seven games. A rest is nice, but many times that is not good for a team. I guess we will have to wait and see how they handle it.

With  Wille Randolph’s job in the balance the New York Mets finally played the way many people felt they would to start the year. David Wright hit two home runs and Claudio Vargas pitched well as the Mets won 8-4 and spoiled Joe Torre’s return to New York. The Mets are now at .500 so if they can get a couple more wins I think they will be fine. The distractions are probably more to deal with than anything.

Thursday, May 29th

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The Kansas City Royals found another way to lose a game as Justin Morneau hit a game winning home run to give the Minnesota Twins a 9-8 win in 10 innings. The big news really was not the game even though it was the 10th straight loss for the Royals who are sinking fast. This game will be remembered for the outburst of Jose Guillen in the clubhouse afterwards. Guillen exploded on players in the clubhouse telling them they do not know how to win in a profanity lace tirade. In reality he is right though and this is why the Royals continue to lose year after year. Maybe this is exactly what the Royals needed to get them headed in the right direction. I guess only time will tell though.

Wednesday, May 28th

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Ray Allen who has been missing in action finally showed up last night just when he was needed most as he poured in 29 points and hit a clutch 2 pointer as the Celtics stop the Pistons by a score of 106-102. For most of the series Allen has been on the bench late in the game as he has not provided much offense, but it was different tonight and that makes Boston even more dangerous. Kevin Garnett tossed in 33 points, but the guy they Celtics got a real big game out of besides Ray Allen was Kendrick Perkins who tossed in 18 points and grabbed 16 rebounds. Now the series heads back to Detroit where the Pistons must win or be eliminated.

Detroit played hard towards the end, but it was to late for them. You cannot give Boston a big lead at home and expect to come back at the end it just does not work that way. Chauncey Billups did get 26 points which was a big plus for the Pistons. If they are going to force a game 7 they need his production in Game 6 as well.

Boston can end it in Game 6 with a win in Detroit. I do not look for that to happen as Detroit plays well at home and Boston knows no matter what they still have a Game 7 that will be in Boston. I look for Detroit to take Game 6 and force a Game 7.

The Boston Celtics and the Detroit Pistons renew their rivalry tonight as the series  resumes in Boston tonight. The Detroit Pistons have won in Boston before so they know they can do it again if needed too. Many people have asked me who I think can win the best of three series which is basically what it is down to.

First of all if you are going for the most complete team than this would favor the Detroit Pistons. From top to bottom without a doubt they are a better team than the Celtics. The Celtics though have three horses that can get the job done night after night. In tonight’s game it is going to come down who wants it more. I think Boston needs this game more than Detroit does so I like Boston in this game and the series for only one reason Kevin Garnett.

Kevin Garnett has had a lot to carry during his NBA seasons especially in Minnesota. Most people blame him for the playoff losses that the Timberwolves suffered, but in reality without him they would have never made the playoffs. This is a coming out party for Garnett and he wants to show everyone that he is a player that can win a championship. Look for Kevin Garnett to have a monster game and lead the Celtics to victory tonight.

Kobe Bryant knew if they could get a win in San Antonio they would be sitting much better than 2-2 so that is exactly what him and the Los Angeles Lakers did. Bryant tossed in 28 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the Lakers to a 93-91 series lead as they head back to Los Angeles. Bryant knew this game was real important and from the start he played inspired basketball and it did not let up until the end of the game.

Meanwhile for the San Antonio Spurs it was a game of what could have been. The Spurs were never able to get over the hump as they tied the Lakers six times during the game for the lead, but never took the lead. At the end a no call foul that could have sent Brent Barry to the line was never called, but that is how the night went for the Spurs. Tim Duncan had another great game with 29 points and 17 rebounds in the loss.

The Lakers now can close out the Spurs and if I was Phil Jackson I would drive that point into his team today. The Spurs do not need any life and if the Spurs can win Game 5 anything can happen. It should be a fun game to watch that is for sure and I guess we will see if the Spurs have the heart of a champion or if it is Showtime once again.

It always seem when Jamie Moyer pitches good things happen and the offense really explodes and yesterday was no exception as Chase Utley had six RBI’s to help lead the Philadelphia Phillies to a 20-5 win over the Colorado Rockies. Utley who has been playing very well and many people think he could be the NL MVP if he keeps it up went 3-6 to back Jamie Moyer’s pitching.

Monday, May 26th

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With their backs to the wall is where it seems the Detroit Pistons like to be as they beat the Boston Celtics by a score of 94-75. Detroit got help from a unlikely source last night as Antonio McDyess scored 21 points and grabbed 16 rebounds to power the Pistons to the win. McDyess who has had injury problems throughout his career came to play last night and many times his energy is what will lift a team and that is exactly what happen last night.

For Boston the shots would not drop and that is what happens in the NBA playoffs. Sometimes the shot will fall others time it won’t. Kevin Garnett scored 16 points in the loss for the Celtics. The series now heads back to Boston tied 2-2 and anything can happen in a best of three which is what it has become.

For both teams they now know they can win on the other teams court so no real surprises from this date forward. I look for the series to be tight throughout, but I still have to give the edge to Boston because a Game 7 would be played in Boston.