The afternoon started out quietly and peacefully for the Lakers. They made a small run, then the Mavericks made a small run, then the Lakers answered back, then the Mavericks answered back. The Lakers were down 4 after the 1st qtr, but a 4pt deficit is not a big deal for these Lakers, right? Whoo boy, the Lakers had no idea of the storm sitting just off the coast that was about to move in on them.

The first sprinkles came with Jason Terry hitting a 3 from the corner with hand in his face. Up 7. Then a small gust of wind came as Peja Stojakovic (of all people) stole a pass and finished a fast break. Up 9. Several possessions later, the storm unleashed its full force. Terry hit a 3, up 10. A few plays later, Terry hit another 3. Up 12. And he hit ANOTHER 3, up 15! Then Terry drove and kicked to Peja in the corner, and HE rained in a 3. Up 18! And we were just halfway through the 2nd qtr! Add on another pair of Peja/Terry 3s near the end of the half, and the Lakers retreated into halftime soaked in a 24pt deficit....

The afternoon started out quietly and peacefully for the Lakers. They made a small run, then the Mavericks made a small run, then the Lakers answered back, then the Mavericks answered back. The Lakers were down 4 after the 1st qtr, but a 4pt deficit is not a big deal for these Lakers, right? Whoo boy, the Lakers had no idea of the storm sitting just off the coast that was about to move in on them.

The first sprinkles came with Jason Terry hitting a 3 from the corner with hand in his face. Up 7. Then a small gust of wind came as Peja Stojakovic (of all people) stole a pass and finished a fast break. Up 9. Several possessions later, the storm unleashed its full force. Terry hit a 3, up 10. A few plays later, Terry hit another 3. Up 12. And he hit ANOTHER 3, up 15! Then Terry drove and kicked to Peja in the corner, and HE rained in a 3. Up 18! And we were just halfway through the 2nd qtr! Add on another pair of Peja/Terry 3s near the end of the half, and the Lakers retreated into halftime soaked in a 24pt deficit....

Ray Allen buried a three-pointer with 11.6 seconds remaining, lifting the Celtics to an 87-85 victory over the Knicks in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series.

The fourth quarter was playoff basketball at it best as stars from both teams made a host of critical plays. Boston pulled even on a Delonte West jumper and went ahead, 66-64, when Jeff Green nailed a 16-footer. The Knicks counter-punched and went back up on two Stoudemire hoops but Paul Pierce hit three free throws after getting fouled by Anthony to help the Celts to a 73-72 lead.....