Kobe Bryant after receiving his fourth NBA Championship ring went back to work with 33 points as the Los Angeles Lakers went on to defeat their in-town rival LA Clippers 99-92 at the Staples Center. Every Laker on the team earned a ring from their 2008-2009 title except for Ron Artest, who joined the squad after trading places with now Houston Rockets small forward Trevor Ariza earlier this year.

Andrew Bynum on his 22nd birthday contributed with 26 points and 13 rebounds. While the Lakers were somewhat distracted by the banners, crowd and general memories of the summers events, the Clippers actually hung around. Eric Gordon, Marcus Camby and Chris Kaman netted 21, 18, and 14 in their efforts to stay with the defending champs.  All it took was a Kobe/Odom take over early in the fourth for the Lakers to pull away.

“It’s always tough to play games after those kind of ceremonies,” said Lakers coach Phil Jackson (Has won ten NBA titles as head coach with Chicago/LA). “Some of the energy is always difficult to maintain because there is a lot of energy that’s kind of dissipated when you go out and have that kind of ceremony. You’re not ready to step up and march to the tune of this season right yet.” 

The Lakers will next welcome the Dallas Mavericks to LA this Friday at 10:30 PM ET. Los Angeles Lakers tickets are available now!

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said earlier this week that his aged veterans Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili have been taking it easy and should be more than 100% heading into the upcoming season.  Duncan struggled with knee problems during their short lived playoff run last year.  The All-Star forward has rested well since then and plans to start working out next week.  Ginobili, who played just 44 games last season due to ankle problems has been limited to treadmill workouts.  “He is healthy,” Popovich said. “He’ll come back out of shape but healthy.” 

The Spurs front office has really put in work lately, acquiring Richard Jefferson and Antonio McDyess to give floor general Tony Parker more options down the court.  If Ginobili and Duncan can really come back like trainers and coaches are suggesting, the Spurs may be looking at another championship run ahead of them.  Overall San Antonio has made the most improvements heading into the 2009-2010 season.  They will certainly show as top contenders in the West with the LA Lakers and the Denver Nuggets.  The scary part about the this off-season is it seems like all of the best teams just got better. 

The Lakers only re-signed Lamar Odom and also added one of the best defensive players in the league (Ron Artest) to their championship roster.  The Cleveland Cavaliers kept their core intact and were simply able to make room for future hall of fame center Shaquille O’Neal.  The Boston Celtics clearly have their front court in line after acquiring Shelden Williams, Rasheed Wallace, and re-signing Glen Davis.  The Orlando Magic seemed very pleased after signing Vince Carter and Jason Williams to go along with a healthy Jameer Nelson and Dwight Howard.  It will be interesting to see how the season will pan out, because virtually no predictions can be made at the present moment.

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NBA league officials have just released all of the team schedules for 2009.  The Celtics will first be challenged on Tuesday, October 27th against the Cavaliers in Cleveland, which should serve as one of the premiere opening match ups.  They will then host a stretch of three games against the Bobcats, Bulls, and Hornets.  The C’s will have to wait until Friday, November 20th to get their revenge on the Magic.  Orlando and Boston are going to meet again on Christmas day but this time at the Amway Arena.  They’ll see Dwayne Wade and the Miami Heat for the first time on November 29th, but will host them at the Garden on February 3rd.  March 24-28 should be an important stretch at home for Boston, as they are set to face the Nuggets, Kings, and Spurs to get an idea of the West coast.  Be ready for another exciting year as the Boston Celtics begin another quest to earn their 18^th franchise championship!2009-2010 Boston Celtics Schedule

Tuesday, October 27 @ Cleveland Cavaliers    7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, October 28  vs Charlotte Bobcats 7:30 p.m.
Friday, October 30 vs Chicago Bulls    8:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 1 vs New Orleans Hornets    6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, November 3  @ Philadelphia 76ers    7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 4 @ Minnesota Timberwolves    8:00 p.m.
Friday, November 6 vs Phoenix Suns    7:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 7 @ New Jersey Nets    7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, November 11 vs Utah Jazz    7:30 p.m.
Friday, November 13 vs Atlanta Hawks    8:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 14 @ Indiana Pacers    7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 18 vs Golden State Warriors    7:30 p.m.
Friday, November 20 vs Orlando Magic    8:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 22 @ New York Knicks    1:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 25 vs Philadelphia 76ers    7:30 p.m.
Friday, November 27 vs Toronto Raptors    7:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 29 @ Miami HEAT    6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, December 1 @ Charlotte Bobcats    7:00 p.m.
Thursday, December 3 @ San Antonio    8:00 p.m.
Friday, December 4 @ Oklahoma City    8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, December 8 vs Milwaukee Bucks    7:30 p.m.
Thursday, December 10 @ Washington Wizards    8:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 12 @ Chicago Bulls    8:00 p.m.
Monday, December 14 @ Memphis Grizzlies    8:00 p.m.
Friday, December 18 vs Philadelphia 76ers    7:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 20 vs Minnesota Timberwolves    6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, December 22 vs Indiana Pacers    7:30 p.m.
Friday, December 25 @ Orlando Magic    2:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 27 @ Los Angeles Clippers    9:30 p.m.
Monday, December 28 @ Golden State Warriors    10:30 p.m.
Wednesday, December 30 @ Phoenix Suns    9:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 2 vs Toronto Raptors    7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, January 6 @ Miami HEAT    7:30 p.m.
Friday, January 8 @ Atlanta Hawks    8:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 10 @ Toronto Raptors    1:00 p.m.
Monday, January 11 vs Atlanta Hawks    7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, January 13 @ New Jersey Nets    7:30 p.m.
Thursday, January 14 vs Chicago Bulls    8:00 p.m.
Monday, January 18 vs Dallas Mavericks    8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, January 20 @ Detroit Pistons    7:30 p.m.
Friday, January 22 vs Portland TrailBlazers    7:30 p.m.
Monday, January 25 vs Los Angeles Clippers    7:30 p.m.
Thursday, January 28 @ Orlando Magic    8:00 p.m.
Friday, January 29 @ Atlanta Hawks    7:30 p.m.
Sunday, January 31 vs Los Angeles Lakers    3:30 p.m.
Monday, February 1 @ Washington Wizards    7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, February 3 vs Miami HEAT    8:00 p.m.
Friday, February 5 vs New Jersey Nets    7:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 7 vs Orlando Magic    2:30 p.m.
Wednesday, February 10 @ New Orleans Hornets    8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, February 16 @ Sacramento Kings    10:00 p.m.
Thursday, February 18 @ Los Angeles Lakers    10:30 p.m.
Friday, February 19 @ Portland TrailBlazers    10:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 21 @ Denver Nuggets    3:30 p.m.
Tuesday, February 23 vs New York Knicks    7:30 p.m.
Thursday, February 25 vs Cleveland Cavaliers    8:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 27 vs New Jersey Nets    1:00 p.m.
Tuesday, March 2 @ Detroit Pistons    7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 3 vs Charlotte Bobcats    7:30 p.m.
Friday, March 5 @ Philadelphia 76ers    7:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 7 vs Washington Wizards    8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, March 9 @ Milwaukee Bucks    8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 10 vs Memphis Grizzlies    7:30 p.m.
Friday, March 12 vs Indiana Pacers    7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 14 @ Cleveland Cavaliers    3:30 p.m.
Monday, March 15 vs Detroit Pistons    8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March vs New York Knicks    7:30 p.m.
Friday, March 19 @ Houston Rockets    8:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 20 @ Dallas Mavericks    9:00 p.m.
Monday, March 22 @ Utah Jazz    9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 24 vs Denver Nuggets    7:00 p.m.
Friday, March 26 vs Sacramento Kings    7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 28 vs San Antonio Spurs    8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 31 vs Oklahoma City Thunder    7:30 p.m.
Friday, April 2 vs Houston Rockets    7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 4 vs Cleveland Cavaliers    1:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 6 @ New York Knicks    7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 7 @ Toronto Raptors    7:00 p.m.
Friday, April 9 vs Washington Wizards    7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 10 @ Milwaukee Bucks    8:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 13 @ Chicago Bulls    8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 14 vs Milwaukee Bucks    8:00 p.m.

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Orlando led after the first quarter of game five; but like the rest of the series it was all Lakers from there on. Kobe Bryant had 30 points, nearly playing the entirety of the game. Seven years since his last ring, Kobe finally proved that he could do it without Shaq. The finals MVP averaged over 32 points a game, with 7.4 assists and 5.6 rebounds in five games against the East’s best. After losing the 2004 finals to the Detroit Pistons, and a humiliating 38-point loss to the Celtics in game 6 last year, Bryant and company dominated the Orlando Magic.

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League MVP LeBron James had a benign growth removed from his jaw on Tuesday. The Cavaliers superstar had tissue removed from his parotid gland, where the body produces saliva. The procedure took five hours; requiring delicate work in an area filled with blood vessels and nerves. Doctors say that the procedure was a success, and that James should make a fast and complete recovery. Reports seem to indicate that the condition should not have affected his play. James averaged 38.5 points, 8.3 assists, and 8 rebounds in a losing Conference Finals series against the Orlando Magic.

Orlando Magic tickets and Los Angeles Lakers tickets are available now!

Despite immense amounts of media hype, video game simulations, and commercials featuring everything from sports drinks to muppets; the NBA is not getting a Kobe/Lebron finals match-up. The Lakers/Magic finals series could be far more entertaining, as Orlando is a more well-rounded squad than the Lebron-centric Cavs. On the way to the championship series, the Magic eliminated the last two Eastern Conference Champions (including the defending NBA Champion Celtics), and beat a very capable 76ers team.

The Los Angeles Lakers were taken to the brink by a Tracy McGrady-less rockets, and traded licks with a very tough Denver Nuggets squad. While neither of the two teams have played as many as last year’s 7-game-series-heavy Celtics, both have been through multiple drawn out matchups with tough opponents. Expect Laker forward “Candy Man” Lamar Odom and his Magic counterpart Hedo Turkgolu to vie for most 3-pointers, as an undercard to the Kobe/Howard athletics.

The series starts on Thursday night, so get your 2009 NBA Finals tickets now!

The Houston Rockets won a very physical game 1 against the heavily favored Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night. The Lakers fell behind early, and never managed to catch up again. “I think we were hungry to win the first game, like we had in the first game of the last (series),” Rockets Center Yao Ming told the AP. “We know we have to respect them. They will come back strong in Game 2.” Ming was briefly sidelined by a knee-to-knee collision with LA’s Kobe Bryant, but returned later. Yao hit a jumper and converted all six trips to the free throw line.

Despite a 32-point effort from Bryant, the Lakers fell short.”I’m fine,” Bryant said in a post-game interview. “My energy felt fine, I was OK. “We just blew some defensive assignments at key moments.” Los Angeles looks to take advantage of home court advantage in game 2, scheduled for Wednesday night at 10:30pm Eastern.

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Atlanta Hawks 81, Miami Heat 71.

Azaza Pachulia dominated the glass for the Hawks with 18 rebounds, helping Atlanta regain their home court advantage with a 81-71 win over the Miami Heat.  The Hawks scoring was basically split between Bibby, Johnson, and Smith scoring 15, 14, and 13.  Atlanta coach Mike Woodson stated that Pachulia was the crucial factor to the win.  “Zaza was huge throughout the whole game,” said Woodson. “I mean, 18 rebounds, 12 points for us, and we needed all that tonight to survive.”  Dwayne Wade scored 22 for the Heat and Jermaine O’Neal contributed 20, but Miami was never ahead and only shot 38 percent.

Denver Nuggets 121, New Orleans Hornets 63.

Carmelo Anthony led the Nuggets with 26 points and was taken out in the fourth quarter due to the 58 point blow out over the New Orleans Hornets.  The victory matched the biggest lopsided contest in NBA playoff history, which came in 1956 when the Minneapolis Lakers beat the St. Louis Hawks 133-75.  The Hornets will need their All-Star point guard Chris Paul to step up in order for them to stay in the series.  The Nuggets held Paul to just 4 points and 6 assists.  Denver leads the series 3-1.

Los Angeles Lakers 107, Utah Jazz 96.

Kobe Bryant led the Lakers to finish the series in 5 games with 31 points against the Utah Jazz last night at the Staples Center.  The Lakers were in control the whole game, winning every quarter in scoring aside from the fourth.  Utah made a run at the end cutting the 20-point deficit to just six with 3:15 remaining.  From there Lamar Odom came up with two clutch finishes after LA kicked in its defense to officially decide the series.  “We out did them,” said Lakers head coach Phil Jackson. “I thought it was a disappointment to them but they played hard; they played together and you have to give them credit.  I thank them for giving us a run and a good, hard series.”

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Los Angeles Lakers 113, Utah Jazz 100.

Trevor Ariza scored a playoff career high 21 to get the Lakers going Sunday night in LA.  Kobe Bryant and Paul Gasol added the bulk of their scoring with 24 and 20.  LA was in control the whole game, putting up 62 points in the first half alone.  Utah kept the pressure on, outscoring them in the second half but it was never enough.  “They kept knocking on the door and we just never let them in,” said Bryant. The Lakers have the series lead 1-0 with another game to play at the Staples Center before heading to Utah.

Philadelphia 76ers 100, Orlando Magic 98

The #6 seeded sixers stunned the Magic in Orlando in game 1 with Andre Iguodala netting the game winner with 2.2 seconds left.  Iguodala played a great overall game scoring 20 points with eight rebounds and eight assists.  “We won one more game than people thought we would win,” Iguodala said. “I was pretty amped up.”  Dwight Howard had 18 points, seven rebounds and two blocks in the first half, leading to his total of 31 points and 16 rebounds for the Magic. Despite his efforts, Orlando could not hang on to their 18 point lead in the fourth as the sixers rallied back to notch the upset.

Atlanta Hawks 90, Miami Heat 64

The Atlanta Hawks held the Heat to just 25 points in the second half as they cruised to an overwhelming double digit lead.  Josh Smith scored 23 points including a few show time fast-break jams for Atlanta.  Dwayne Wade led the Heat in scoring with 19, but it wasn’t enough to keep his squad in the game.  The Hawks will keep their home court advantage for game 2 before traveling to Miami.

Denver Nuggets 113, New Orleans Hornets 84

Chauncey Billups led the Nuggets to blow by the Hornets Sunday night with 36 points, hitting eight of nine from three. Chris Paul controlled the New Orleans offense with 21 points and 11 assists despite their losing efforts.  The Hornets will have to steal a game at Denver to have any sort of chance to advance past this series.
Game two will be played this Wednesday at 8:30 pm at the Pepsi Center.

San Antonio Spurs 105, Dallas Mavericks 84

Tony Parker led in scoring with 13 points, contributing 19 in the first quarter to help San Antonio get revenge over the Mavericks from game 1. Dallas couldn’t find an answer to Parker all last night, trying numerous different defensive strategies to slow him down.  “You want to make sure I’m in attack mode every single play,” Parker said. “Even if it’s not to score, to penetrate for my teammates or make great cuts.”  The Spurs tied the series 1-1 with the win as they head to Dallas for game 3.

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EASTERN CONFERENCE

Cleveland vs. Detroit
Game 1 - Sat. April 18, Detroit at Cleveland, 3 p.m., ABC
Game 2 - Tue. April 21, Detroit at Cleveland, 8 p.m., TNT
Game 3 - Fri. April 24, Cleveland at Detroit, 7 p.m., ESPN
Game 4 - Sun. April 26, Cleveland at Detroit, 3:30 p.m., ABC/ESPN Radio
Game 5 * Wed. April 29, Detroit at Cleveland, Time TBD
Game 6 * Fri. May 1, Cleveland at Detroit, Time TBD
Game 7 * Sun. May 3, Detroit at Cleveland, Time TBD

Boston vs. Chicago
Game 1 - Sat. April 18, Chicago at Boston, 12:30 p.m., ESPN
Game 2 - Mon. April 20, Chicago at Boston, 7 p.m., TNT
Game 3 - Thu. April 23, Boston at Chicago, 8 p.m., TNT
Game 4 - Sun. April 26, Boston at Chicago, 1 p.m., ABC
Game 5 * Tue. April 28, Chicago at Boston, Time TBD
Game 6 * Thu. April 30, Boston at Chicago, Time TBD
Game 7 * Sat. May 2, Chicago at Boston, Time TBD, TNT

Orlando vs. Philadelphia
Game 1 - Sun. April 19, Philadelphia at Orlando, 5:30 p.m., TNT
Game 2 - Wed. April 22, Philadelphia at Orlando, 7 p.m., NBA-TV
Game 3 - Fri. April 24, Orlando at Philadelphia, 8 p.m., ESPN2
Game 4 - Sun. April 26, Orlando at Philadelphia, 6:30 p.m., TNT
Game 5 * Tue. April 28, Philadelphia at Orlando, Time TBD
Game 6 * Thu. April 30, Orlando at Philadelphia, Time TBD
Game 7 * Sat. May 2, Philadelphia at Orlando, Time TBD, TNT

Atlanta vs. Miami
Game 1 - Sun. April 19, Miami at Atlanta, 8 p.m., TNT
Game 2 - Wed. April 22, Miami at Atlanta, 8 p.m., TNT
Game 3 - Sat. April 25, Atlanta at Miami, 6:30 p.m., TNT
Game 4 - Mon. April 27, Atlanta at Miami, Time TBD
Game 5 * Wed. April 29, Miami at Atlanta, Time TBD
Game 6 * Fri. May 1, Atlanta at Miami, Time TBD
Game 7 * Sun. May 3, Miami at Atlanta, Time TBD

WESTERN CONFERENCE

L.A. Lakers vs. Utah
Game 1 - Sun. April 19, Utah at L.A. Lakers, 3 p.m., ABC/ESPN Radio
Game 2 - Tue. April 21, Utah at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 p.m., TNT
Game 3 - Thu. April 23, L.A. Lakers at Utah,10:30 p.m., TNT
Game 4 - Sat. April 25, L.A. Lakers at Utah, 9 p.m., ESPN/ESPN Radio
Game 5 * Mon. April 27, Utah at L.A. Lakers, Time TBD
Game 6 * Thu. April 30, L.A. Lakers at Utah, Time TBD
Game 7 * Sat. May 2, Utah at L.A. Lakers, Time TBD, TNT

Denver vs. New Orleans
Game 1 - Sun. April 19, New Orleans at Denver, 10:30 p.m., TNT
Game 2 - Wed. April 22, New Orleans at Denve, 10:30 p.m., TNT
Game 3 - Sat. April 25, Denver at New Orleans, 1 p.m., ESPN
Game 4 - Mon. April 27, Denver at New Orleans, Time TBD
Game 5 * Wed. April 29, New Orleans at Denver, Time TBD
Game 6 * Fri. May 1, Denver at New Orleans, Time TBD
Game 7 * Sun. May 3, New Orleans at Denver, Time TBD

San Antonio vs. Dallas
Game 1 - Sat. April 18, Dallas at San Antonio, 8 p.m., ESPN/ESPN Radio
Game 2 - Mon. April 20, Dallas at San Antonio, 9:30 p.m., TNT
Game 3 - Thu. April 23, San Antonio at Dallas, 8:30 p.m., NBA-TV
Game 4 - Sat. April 25, San Antonio at Dallas, 4 p.m., TNT
Game 5 * Tue. April 28, Dallas at San Antonio, Time TBD
Game 6 * Fri. May 1, San Antonio at Dallas, Time TBD
Game 7 * Sun. May 3, Dallas at San Antonio, Time TBD
Portland vs. Houston
Game 1 - Sat. April 18, Houston at Portland, 10:30 p.m., ESPN
Game 2 - Tue. April 21, Houston at Portland, 10 p.m., NBA-TV
Game 3 - Fri. April 24, Portland at Houston, 9:30 p.m., ESPN
Game 4 - Sun. April 26, Portland at Houston, 9 p.m., TNT
Game 5 * Tue. April 28, Houston at Portland, Time TBD
Game 6 * Thu. April 30, Portland at Houston, Time TBD
Game 7 * Sat. May 2, Houston at Portland, Time TBD, TNT

NBA Playoff tickets are now available for all games.