This ones over folks

[jedkni]

Lakers have too many weapons. . .

Sorry, Boston fans, but I do think it's over. Celtics have to win 3 of 4, 2 of which could be in LA. Celtics also have these odds to overcome:

• 10 of 10 to win game 3 after 1-1 split since 2-3-2  format began, went on to win title
• Phil Jackson is 47-0 after winning game 1 of a series
• Teams that win game 1, 73% go on to win title
• Lakers are 3-0 at TD Garden after game 6 blow-out in '08
• Lakers are now 3-0 after 1-1 split in critical game 3's (Houston '09, Denver '09, Boston '10)
• Once Lakers reach the close-out game after '08, team is 7-1

True Laker fans know all about losing - we've done TONS of it.

[ChainSmokingLikeDino]

If Ray makes 2 shots tonight we probably win. Just bad bad shooting. Offense stunk. And we barely lost. Throw in the towel if you like but I won't be by your side while you do so.

So let me get this straight: if Ray makes just two or three shots in Game 3, we win (instead of barely losing). And as I recall, if a couple guys played only slightly better in Game 1, we would've won that one. So that means that if even half the team had showed up in each game, boston would be up 3-0. Instead, though, we're down 2-1. You see now why some of us are so frustrated, and why we're not too hopeful that boston will "flip the switch" for three of the next four games?

I keep seeing these "if" statements. "If Ray hits 3 shots." "If PP scored 20." "If we hit our open looks early in the game". FELLAS, we can be here talking about "if's" all we want. But this is the NBA Finals, it all comes down to execution, not "if's". Whichever team executes better will win. And so far this series, the Lakers have been executing better. On another note, what "if Kobe didn't get those foul calls in game 2?" then the Lakers might of won and the series would be 3-0 now.

See? Just take the loss for what it is (poor execution) and get ready for Game 4

Your last sentence is fine. It points out that crying in your hands, claiming the sky is falling and just giving up is just as absurd...No one is saying we got screwed in this game, what people are saying is, the breaks of the game are small, we didn't get blown out. These little things here, little things there and we probably win, hence you shouldn't be such a spoiled brat and go crying home that it is all over. The little things can go our way next game, and hey, its a 2-2 series. Everyone needs a little more perspective and less pouting, jeez......

[luckthefakers]

True Laker fans know all about losing - we've done TONS of it.[/color]

Yeah, you guys have had it really rough.

[kg is king]

I would be shocked if we don't win game 4. Either we beat them outright or the Stern regime will help us out 

[luckthefakers]

I would be shocked if we don't win game 4. Either we beat them outright or the Stern regime will help us out 

I think this bodes well for going back to LA up 3-2.  Game 4 is the game, if any, that the refs will "assist" the C's some (or at least stop assisting the Fakers hopefully).  And game 5 is after two more days of rest, where the C's should play better due to their relative age disadvantage.  Game 6 is the key, because you know old Joey will be reffing 7 and that is too much too overcome.

So here's to three in a row and another C's banner.