Comments on: Boxscore Breakdown: Finals, Game 3

By: Jeremy Gibbs

Jeremy Gibbs — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 04:18:40 +0000

Fisher is the hero; Howard is the goat; Pietrus is a punk!

By: Tim D.

Tim D. — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 20:48:44 +0000

One thing that gets overlooked is that the Lakers had their best offensive production of the series in this game, yet they still lost. So the kind of logic that speaks of "Orlando's 62.5% shooting yet they barely won" can work both ways. While it was not Kobe's best game of the series (which is all the media focuses on), it could be argued that it was the Lakers best game of the series, yet they still lost. It was unquestionably the Magic's best game of the series. I do still think the Lakers will win in 7, but this series is going down to the wire.

By: Jeremy Gibbs

Jeremy Gibbs — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 17:17:18 +0000

I am going to predict that Orlando wins again tonight.

By: Jason J

Jason J — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:44:54 +0000

Looking at those numbers and the regular box score, it's tough to tell how LA stayed in the game. They shot 0.615 from the free throw stripe with Kobe missing 5 of 10. The turnovers are identical. LA scored 3 more points from the free throw line but took 9 more threes to do it. The Lakers' only definitive advantage is on the offensive boards, where they pulled down 6 more than the Magic.

I agree w/ the above that Gasol could use more touches. He and Bryant are connecting beautifully on the pick and roll, but Howard has yet to really prove that he can handle Pau one on one. A few more touches in the high and low post for Gasol might be the difference in these close games.

By: Anon

Anon — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:09:09 +0000

"I thought it was amazing that they shot a finals record 62.5% and the lakers had a chance to win." That yes, but I also find it amazing that with a great supporting cast around him and a great player in Pau Gasol Kobe still has to take on 41% of his team's offensive load anyway. He was still plenty efficient, but I think that if he feels he has to take on that burden against the best defensive team in the league and Pau doesn't have some more of the offense go through his hands, this might play right into the Magic's hands. It will be interesting to see what happens.

By: steve norris

steve norris — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 13:31:50 +0000

I thought it was amazing that they shot a finals record 62.5% and the lakers had a chance to win. orlando will not shoot that great again.that was like nova beating georgetown. nova shot lights out and they barley won. this is a seven gamer not a one and done so i dont see the same thing happen. what do you think neil?