FanHouse Main http://www.fanhouse.com FanHouse Main http://www.fanhouse.com/media/feedlogo.gif FanHouse Main http://www.fanhouse.com en-us Copyright 2010 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/ Twitter: The NBA's Version of Cheers http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/01/02/twitter-the-nbas-version-of-cheers/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/01/02/twitter-the-nbas-version-of-cheers/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/01/02/twitter-the-nbas-version-of-cheers/#comments Nate Jones

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NBA TwitterTwitter has quickly become the NBA's version of Cheers. You know, the place where everyone knows your name and they're always glad you came. No, Twitter isn't some fictional sports bar in Boston, but it is a virtual sports bar where NBA fans, players, team personnel, player agents and NBA writers all congregate to talk about the sport. The NBA recently released a tool called a "game companion" which you keep open while you're watching the game. However, everyone in the know understands that the real game companion is located at twitter.com.

Because I write about the NBA and work with NBA players on social media I try to follow every single person with some sort of connection to the NBA. Following all of these people has made the experience of watching an NBA game that much more fun. I get the communal sports bar experience without having to go around a bunch of drunks that don't really know what they are talking about.

 

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]]> Nate Jones nate-jones 2010-01-02T14:34:00 00:00 Most Likely to Drop 50 at Madison Square Garden: LeBron James http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/10/26/most-likely-to-drop-50-at-madison-square-garden-lebron-james/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/10/26/most-likely-to-drop-50-at-madison-square-garden-lebron-james/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/10/26/most-likely-to-drop-50-at-madison-square-garden-lebron-james/#comments Nate Jones

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With the start of the 2009-10 season looming, NBA FanHouse walks through the Valley of the Most Likely; we shall fear no topic.

Madison Square Garden is the crown jewel of NBA arenas. It's the oldest building in the league, and has hosted a ton of special moments throughout its history. Many of those moments likely helped shaped the hoop dreams of many of the league's current stars.

Of course, no one had a greater influence on making MSG a special place to play than Michael Jordan (sorry, Knicks fans). Since Jordan, every NBA player has wanted to come to the Garden and put on a show.

 

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]]> Amare StoudemireAmareStoudemireCarmelo AnthonyCarmeloAnthonyDwyane WadeDwyaneWadegilbert arenasGilbertArenasKevin DurantKevinDurantkobe bryantKobeBryantlebron jamesLebronJamesMichael JordanMichaelJordanNBA Most Likely Nate Jones nate-jones 2009-10-26T12:55:00 00:00 Most Likely to Ignite a Bench Clearing Brawl: Kevin Garnett http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/10/23/most-likely-to-ignite-a-bench-clearing-brawl-kevin-garnett/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/10/23/most-likely-to-ignite-a-bench-clearing-brawl-kevin-garnett/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/10/23/most-likely-to-ignite-a-bench-clearing-brawl-kevin-garnett/#comments Nate Jones

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Kevin GarnettWith the start of the 2009-10 season looming, NBA FanHouse walks through the Valley of the Most Likely; we shall fear no topic.

Last year we handed out this prestigious award to the Lakers' Sasha Vujacic. He basically won the award for being a pest that other NBA players didn't respect. Plus he had girlie hair. With Sasha now sans girlie hair (per request of Phil Jackson), it's time to crown a new winner. The obvious choice: Kevin Garnett.

Garnett has been one of the league's best players this decade. Part of what makes him so great is his intensity. Early in his career, KG was capable of harnessing that intensity in a positive way. In his later years? Not so much.

 

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]]> Anthony PeelerAntonio McDyessJose CalderonKevin GarnettNBA+Most+LikelySasha VujacicZaza Pachulia Nate Jones nate-jones 2009-10-23T14:30:00 00:00 Tip-Off Timer: There Will Never Be a Greater Laker Than Chick Hearn http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/09/21/tip-off-timer-there-will-never-be-a-greater-laker-than-chick-he/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/09/21/tip-off-timer-there-will-never-be-a-greater-laker-than-chick-he/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/09/21/tip-off-timer-there-will-never-be-a-greater-laker-than-chick-he/#comments Nate Jones

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Tip-Off Timer counts down the days until the first game of the 2009-10 season. On Monday, there are 36 days remaining.

If you lived in Los Angeles at anytime from the time the Lakers moved to L.A. in the early 1960's to the last of the Shaq/Kobe championships in 2002, you are probably quite familiar with Francis "Chick" Hearn. And even if you aren't from L.A., you might still be familiar with Chick, as he was probably the greatest play-by-play man in the history of basketball.

Chick was most known for his famous catch phrases known as "Chick-isms". The most famous of those Chick-isms is probably "slaaaam dunk" (yes, he invented the word "slam dunk").

 

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]]> chick hearntip-off timer Nate Jones nate-jones 2009-09-21T10:00:00 00:00 Hot on Heels of Twitter, NBA Players Make Lifecasting 'Next Big Thing' http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/07/30/nba-players-are-making-lifecasting-the-next-big-thing/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/07/30/nba-players-are-making-lifecasting-the-next-big-thing/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/07/30/nba-players-are-making-lifecasting-the-next-big-thing/#comments Nate Jones

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Stephon MarburyThe 2009 NBA season could be considered the season of Twitter, as the NBA was at the forefront of the explosion of the micro-blogging service. Twitter became the go-to communication tool for many NBA players because of its ease of use and because it enabled them to reach their fans without the help of mainstream media.

But if the 2009 season was the season of Twitter, then the 2010 season might be the year of Ustream. Ustream (and competing services such as Justin.tv) is a web platform that allows for "lifecasting" and streaming of live events via a web cam or some high-end phones.

 

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]]> Brandon Jenningschris boshdwight howardEddy CurryJ.R. Smithjason thompsonkevin durantstephon marburyustream Nate Jones nate-jones 2009-07-30T14:02:00 00:00 Ron Artest's Agent Denies Authenticity of Client's Verified Twitter Account http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/07/02/ron-artests-agent-denies-authenticity-of-clients-verified-twit/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/07/02/ron-artests-agent-denies-authenticity-of-clients-verified-twit/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/07/02/ron-artests-agent-denies-authenticity-of-clients-verified-twit/#comments Nate Jones

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Ron Artest caused a bit of a flurry Wednesday night when he went on his Twitter account and announced he was signing a new deal. Of course it was all a joke/publicity stunt. However, the activity on his twitter account -- particularly the farewell to Houston tweet -- made Artest's agent David Bauman come out and claim that the Twitter account is a fake.

As athletes have been burned by fake accounts before, we have become pretty good at identifying fake Twitter accounts, and it seems Bauman is wrong about the account in question being a fake.

 

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]]> Daniel ArtestDanielArtestDavid BaumanDavidBaumanron artestRonArtest Nate Jones nate-jones 2009-07-02T12:17:00 00:00 Blazers Targeting Wrong Small Forward http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/07/01/blazers-targeting-wrong-small-forward/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/07/01/blazers-targeting-wrong-small-forward/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/07/01/blazers-targeting-wrong-small-forward/#comments Nate Jones

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Rumors have run wild that Orlando Magic free agent Hedo Turkoglu is the main target of the Portland Trail Blazers this free-agent season. The Blazers are in need of veteran leadership and help at the small forward position, but I'm not sure that Turkoglu is the answer.

Turkoglu was extremely effective with the Magic this postseason, but that doesn't mean he's the right piece for the Blazers. If I were the Blazers, I would target Lakers free-agent small forward Trevor Ariza.

 

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]]> Brandon Royhedo turkogluTrevor Ariza Nate Jones nate-jones 2009-07-01T22:30:00 00:00 The MVP Award Lost Its Playoff Luster http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/06/01/the-mvp-award-lost-its-playoff-luster/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/06/01/the-mvp-award-lost-its-playoff-luster/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/06/01/the-mvp-award-lost-its-playoff-luster/#comments Nate Jones

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There have been many debates over the MVP award over the last few years -- from Kobe v. LeBron to the merits of Steve Nash's back-to-back awards. You can debate all you want about who should have won each year's MVP, but it is clear that a particular season's MVP is no longer likely to have playoff success.

With LeBron James' elimination at the hands of the Orlando Magic, this season marks the eighth time this decade that the MVP hasn't won the championship, and the sixth time that the MVP hasn't even made it to the NBA Finals. Compare those numbers to the 1990s, when the winner of the MVP award made the NBA Finals seven times and the won the championship five times.

 

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]]> Chauncey Billupsdirk nowitzkiIsiah ThomasKobe BryantLeBron Jamesmichael jordanpaul pierceSteve Nashtim duncanTony Parker Nate Jones nate-jones 2009-06-01T02:40:00 00:00 Will Cavs Regret Not Trading for Shaq? http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/06/01/will-the-cavs-regret-not-trading-for-shaq/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/06/01/will-the-cavs-regret-not-trading-for-shaq/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/06/01/will-the-cavs-regret-not-trading-for-shaq/#comments Nate Jones

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Around this season's trade deadline, there was a lot of chatter surrounding Shaquille O'Neal. Everyone assumed that Shaq or his teammate Amare Stoudemire wouldn't be in a Suns uniform past the trade deadline. Of course the deadline passed and both Shaq and Amare remained on Planet Orange.

One of the teams reported to be involved in the pursuit of O'Neal was none other than the Cleveland Cavaliers. According to reports, the deal fell through because the Cavaliers wanted the Suns to take back Ben Wallace in return for Shaq, while the Suns wanted Wally Szczerbiak. The disagreements were purely financial, as Szczerbiak's deal expires at the end of this season, while Wallace has an additional year.

Hindsight is always 20/20, but did the Cavs make a mistake in not trading for Shaq?

 

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]]> amare stoudemireAmareStoudemireben wallaceBenWallaceLeBron JamesLebronJamesshaquille onealShaquilleOnealwally szczerbiakWallySzczerbiak Nate Jones nate-jones 2009-06-01T00:00:00 00:00 Live Blog: Lakers at Nuggets, Game 4 http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/05/25/live-blog-lakers-at-nuggets-game-4/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/05/25/live-blog-lakers-at-nuggets-game-4/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/05/25/live-blog-lakers-at-nuggets-game-4/#comments Nate Jones

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After a spectacular performance by Kobe Bryant in Game 3, the Lakers find themselves up 2-1 in their series against the Nuggets.

Although "The Birdman", Chris Anderson was in flight, the Lakers were able to contain Nuggets catalyst Carmelo Anthony. Will Carmelo be able to bounce back to his Game 1 and 2 form? Will Kobe be able to guide the Lakers one step closer to the Finals?

Join us tonight for a live blog at 9 PM EST to find out.

 

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]]> carmelo anthonyCarmeloAnthonykobe bryantKobeBryant Nate Jones nate-jones 2009-05-25T20:05:00 00:00 Live Blog: Cavs at Magic, Game 3 http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/05/24/live-blog-cavs-at-magic-game-3/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/05/24/live-blog-cavs-at-magic-game-3/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/05/24/live-blog-cavs-at-magic-game-3/#comments Nate Jones

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The NBA's spectacular Conference Finals series continues tonight with game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Orlando Magic. The Magic were able to stun the Cavs in game 1, but had their hearts ripped out by a spectacular LeBron James buzzer beater three in game 2.

Can the Cavs ride the momentum of King James' spectacular game winner? Can the Magic bounce back and re-establish Dwight Howard's game 1 dominance? Join us for a live blog tonight at 8:30 PM ET to find out.

 

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]]> Dwight HowardDwightHowardLeBron JamesLebronJames Nate Jones nate-jones 2009-05-24T20:10:00 00:00 Live Blog: Lakers at Nuggets, Game 3 http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/05/23/live-blog-lakers-at-nuggets-game-3/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/05/23/live-blog-lakers-at-nuggets-game-3/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/05/23/live-blog-lakers-at-nuggets-game-3/#comments Nate Jones

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Here we are, Game 3 of the Western Conference finals between the Nuggets and Lakers. So far, the series has lived up to it's billing, with the Lakers and Nuggets each capturing one game of the two tightly contested battles.

Saturday night is a very big game for both teams. If the Lakers win, it puts the home court advantage back in their hands. If the Nuggets win Game 4 will be a must win for the Lakers, as teams hardly are able to come back from 3-1 deficits. So you can pretty much expect the same intense battle we saw in the first two games in L.A..

Join us now, after the jump.

 

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]]> carmelo anthonyCarmeloAnthonyChauncey BillupsChaunceyBillupskobe bryantKobeBryantpau gasolPauGasol Nate Jones nate-jones 2009-05-23T20:05:00 00:00 No Offense, But Howard Has Some http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/05/22/no-offense-but-howard-has-some/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/05/22/no-offense-but-howard-has-some/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/05/22/no-offense-but-howard-has-some/#comments Nate Jones

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Throughout the series against the Boston Celtics, Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard was ridiculed for his struggles on the offensive side of the ball. His scoring average of 16.4 points per game for the series was well below his team leading 20.6 points per game during the regular season, and his 24 point per game average against the Philadelphia Sixers in the first round.

Many people pointed to Dwight's lack of an offensive game as the reasons for the his team's struggles against the Boston Celtics. But is Dwight really that bad of an offensive player?

 

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]]> Dwight HowardDwightHowardkendrick perkinsKendrickPerkinsPau GasolPauGasol Nate Jones nate-jones 2009-05-22T18:05:00 00:00 Live Blog: Nuggets at Lakers, Game 2 http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/05/21/live-blog-nuggets-at-lakers-game-2/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/05/21/live-blog-nuggets-at-lakers-game-2/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/05/21/live-blog-nuggets-at-lakers-game-2/#comments Nate Jones

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If you're a fan of NBA basketball, Game 1 of the Nuggets and Lakers Western Conference Finals series gave you all you could ask for. The two teams traded buckets down the stretch with no one willing to give an inch. As well, the battle between Kobe Bryant and Carmelo Anthony was better than any one-on-one match up we've seen the entire playoffs.

Now comes Game 2. Will the Nuggets be able to steal the home-court advantage away from the Lakers? Can Chauncey Billups shake lose of the defense of Kobe Bryant and Trevor Ariza? Will the Lakers be able to get their interior attack going? These are all questions that will likely be answered tonight.

Join us for the a live blog of the game at 9 PM ET for details on all the action.

 

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]]> carmelo anthonyCarmeloAnthonychauncey billupsChaunceyBillupskobe bryantKobeBryant Nate Jones nate-jones 2009-05-21T20:48:00 00:00 Live Blog: Magic at Cavs, Game 1 http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/05/20/live-blog-magic-at-cavs-game-1/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/05/20/live-blog-magic-at-cavs-game-1/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/05/20/live-blog-magic-at-cavs-game-1/#comments Nate Jones

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Two of the league's brightest young superstars will match up tonight when the Cavs and Magic play game 1 of their Eastern Conference Finals series.

Dwight Howard is probably the league's best defensive player, while LeBron James is the league's best all around offensive player. Something has to give.

Is Dwight's interior defensive domination enough to make LeBron think twice about going to the basket, or will LeBron make Dwight his next poster victim? Join us tonight at 8:30 PM EST to find out.

 

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]]> Dwight HowardDwightHowardLeBron JamesLebronJames Nate Jones nate-jones 2009-05-20T20:08:00 00:00 Kobe and 'Melo Go Toe-to-Toe, but Lakers Edge Out Nuggets in Game 1 http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/05/20/kobe-and-melo-go-toe-to-toe-in-game-1-thriller/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/05/20/kobe-and-melo-go-toe-to-toe-in-game-1-thriller/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/05/20/kobe-and-melo-go-toe-to-toe-in-game-1-thriller/#comments Nate Jones

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Kobe Bryant and Carmelo AnthonyKobe Bryant and Carmelo Anthony put on an absolute show in Game 1 of what looks to be an outstanding Western Conference finals. 'Melo finished with 39 points on 14-20 shooting while Bryant finished with 40 points by going 13-28 from the field. The Nuggets led for much of the game, but the Lakers pulled ahead late to win 105-103.

The Nuggets came out with an excellent strategy defensively, making sure that the Lakers could not get the ball inside to Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol, who finished with six and 13 respectively, and forcing Bryant to step up and beat them on his own. And step up he did. Kobe lived up to his "best closer in the game" label, hitting clutch shots and free throws in the fourth quarter.
Lakers 105, Nuggets 103: Recap | Box Score

 

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]]> andrew bynumAndrewBynumCarmelo AnthonyCarmeloAnthonyKobe BryantKobeBryantPau GasolPauGasol Nate Jones nate-jones 2009-05-20T00:51:00 00:00 2009 NBA Draft Lottery Live Blog http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/05/19/2009-nba-draft-lottery-live-blog/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/05/19/2009-nba-draft-lottery-live-blog/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/05/19/2009-nba-draft-lottery-live-blog/#comments Nate Jones

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Despite not making the playoffs, the league's fourteen cellar dwellers (and their fans) always have something to look forward to around this time of year. Yep, that's right, it's time for the NBA Draft Lottery.

This year's prize is the opportunity to draft freak of nature and former Oklahoma star, Blake Griffin. The NBA Draft Lottery is set up to give the best odds of winning to the worst teams in the league. However, the last two seasons two middle of the pack lottery teams were able to beat the odds and land the number one spot.

Join us for a live blog at 8:15 PM ET to find out which team strikes Griffin gold.

Update: Clippers win! Clippers win!

 

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]]> blake griffinBlakeGriffin Nate Jones nate-jones 2009-05-19T19:58:00 00:00 Magic Still Not Same Without Nelson http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/05/13/the-magic-really-miss-jameer-nelson/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/05/13/the-magic-really-miss-jameer-nelson/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/05/13/the-magic-really-miss-jameer-nelson/#comments Nate Jones

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On Wedensday, it seems as if everyone has been commenting on the Orlando Magic's epic fail in Game 5 of their series against the Boston Celtics. At the center of the commotion are comments by Orlando's star player, Dwight Howard, over lack of touches and lack of ball movement in the 4th quarter of Game 5.

I'm not here to dissect whether Dwight is right or not, but I will tell you that a lot of Orlando's recent troubles can be attributed to the injury to Jameer Nelson.

Prior to injuring his shoulder, Jameer was selected to his first All-Star Game, and had Orlando off to their best start in the post-Shaquille O'Neal era. Following his injury, Orlando was still able to hold it together, but the team really wouldn't find out what it was missing until the start of the playoffs.

 

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]]> dwight howardDwightHowardjameer nelsonJameerNelsonrafer alstonRaferAlston Nate Jones nate-jones 2009-05-13T19:35:00 00:00 Lakers Rip Rockets in Game 5 Cakewalk http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/05/13/rockets-played-like-a-team-missing-two-all-stars/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/05/13/rockets-played-like-a-team-missing-two-all-stars/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/05/13/rockets-played-like-a-team-missing-two-all-stars/#comments Nate Jones

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Pau GasolAfter stunning the Lakers in Game 4 in Houston, the Houston Rockets actually played like a team that was missing its two best players. As well, Phil Jackson finally got the memo that Yao Ming wasn't in the lineup, and came up with a game plan that took advantage of the undersized and undermanned Rockets.

Jackson re-inserted Andrew Bynum into the starting lineup Tuesday night, and Bynum and Pau Gasol combined to punish the Rockets inside.

With Bynum and Gasol clicking on the inside and Kobe Bryant in Mamba mode (20 first half points), the Lakers pretty much had this game wrapped up by the halftime buzzer en route to a 118-78 laugher. It was basically an ultimate reversal of the results in Game 4, complete with Sasha Vujacic breakaway dunks and Jordan Farmer 35 foot buzzer beaters.
Lakers 118, Rockets 78: Recap | Box Score
Lakers Lead 3-2 | Next Game: Thursday @ Houston, 9:30 PM ET

 

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]]> Aaron BrooksAaronBrooksandrew bynumAndrewBynumjordan farmarJordanFarmarkobe bryantKobeBryantpau gasolPauGasolphil jacksonPhilJacksonsasha vujacicSashaVujacicyao mingYaoMing Nate Jones nate-jones 2009-05-13T02:15:00 00:00 Live Blog: Lakers at Rockets, Game 3 http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/05/08/live-blog-lakers-at-rockets-game-3/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/05/08/live-blog-lakers-at-rockets-game-3/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/05/08/live-blog-lakers-at-rockets-game-3/#comments Nate Jones

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After playing two hotly contested games in L.A., the Lakers and Rockets will match up in a pivotal game 3 in Houston tonight. The series has already become extremely chippy, so you know the refs might be looking to get control of the game early (hopefully Steve Javie is nowhere near the building).

Will the Lakers be able to overcome a hostile road crowd and the loss of Derek Fisher to bring home a win? Will the Rockets get back to utilizing Yao the way they did in game 1? Will Ron Artest seek revenge on Kobe for his game 2 elbow? I guess we'll just have to watch and find out. Join me tonight here at 9:30pm EST for coverage of all of the action.

 

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]]> derek fisherDerekFisherkobe bryantKobeBryantRon ArtestRonArtestYao MingYaoMing Nate Jones nate-jones 2009-05-08T21:30:00 00:00