Lakers in Seven

That's what I think. The Nuggets can still win this, but the Lakers are a better team.

I recorded the game last night, got home just as the 4th was starting with a Phil Jackson interview. The TiVo was acting up so I just started watching the 4th. It was tied, so I'm not sure what I missed, but it didn't matter. Twelve minutes to see who goes up 3-2.

As I watched, I saw a few people in Twitter (I was working as well) say the refs weren't giving Denver calls. I did see a few questionable calls and no-calls. The Nene final foul was bad, and that's the foul that stinks of conspiracy. The league office wanting those called in the Laker's favor. I know that Anthony went up once and there was a no call and there was a lot of contact, same for Martin or Kleiza, not sure who. The no-call on Gasol blocking Anthony, to me, was more aggregiouis becasue Gasol's lower arm was pushing off Anthony. However I also saw a few no-calls on Denver at the Laker's end that I thought could have been fouls. Overall I thought they made less calls and that makes a better game.

The problem for Denver, in my mind, was that they took a lot of jump shots, something noted on the radio this morning, but they also missed 3 or 4 layups by throwing them up too strong. Nene missed one when he stepped and leaned instead of dunking. Martin had one, and someone else as well (JR, maybe?). They didn't attack inside, no pick and rolls to Anderson, no Chauncey dribbling in to move defenders around, just a lackluster 4th.

I think they'll get motivated, and if JR shoots better, they'll win 6 easily. Game 7 will be up for grabs, with the edge to the Lakers, but we'll see.

On the other side, I think that West and Williams need to start hitting shots. They've fallen silent in the past games and that's cost Cleveland because the Magic just close the paint down and key on Lebron. The fact he still gets 40 is amazing since no one else can score. They need to let West/Williams take 10 shots each in the first 15 minuts and get going. Probably the same in the first 10 minutes of the 2nd half.