It was a complete reversal in this year’s finals. Back in 2008, the Celtics were more physical and basically imposed their will on the Lakers. They punked Pau Gasol into playing a little man’s game and forced Kobe Bryant to shoot terrible from outside. Fast forward to year 2010, the Lakers outrebounded the Celtics 42 to 31. Gasol outplayed Kevin Garnett by notching 23 points, 14 rebounds and 3 assists. He punked Garnett and Kendrick Perkins in the paint in a desperate attempt to shed his ’soft’ label.

Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo was ineffective the whole game. He could not steer his team into a smooth offensive flow. A large part of that can be owed to Bryant guarding him. Kobe stayed in front of the Celtics guard and prevented him from getting into the lane.

Ray Allen found himself in foul trouble all night. He scored only 12 points and was on the bench in moments when the Lakers were pulling away.

But the biggest difference was Ron Artest. Paul Pierce had to work for his points. He scored 24 points, but half of those were from the free throw line. Artest got into Pierce’s head in the opening moments of the game when both players got tangled up and fell to the floor. Not only did Artest contain Pierce but he hit the three that put the game completely out of reach for the Celtics. Bryant and Gasol got their numbers but the biggest difference maker was Artest.

How will the Celtics respond? With the way they played, the Lakers look headed for a sweep.

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Continue to support your team with our NBA merchandise. Head on over and check out our NBA bedding for your kids bedroom. NBA watches and NBA jewelry are also available for the Lakers and Celtics. Additional basketball merchandise is available at the NBA store.

Major storylines:

Defense

Boston took out three superstar led teams to reach the finals. Miami’s Dwyane Wade got his numbers but still succumbed to the Celtics tight D. Many expected LeBron James to bully his way against Boston. Not the case. James got his numbers but for the second straight year failed to reach the finals. Dwight Howard’s supporting cast was completely shut down. Howard did not enjoy support like he did in Orlando’s previous playoff series’.

What we’re trying to say is the Lakers have never faced a defense as stifling as Boston’s. Kobe Bryant will get his numbers but how is he going to involve his supporting cast?

The Lakers finally have someone to contain Paul Pierce. Ron Artest is the best perimeter defender in the league and he’ll make Pierce work for his points. Bryant can focus his attention towards Rajon Rondo. It’ll be interesting to see how much Pau Gasol has grown and how he’ll respond to Kendrick Perkins’ and Kevin Garnett’s rough defense.

Celtics have the obvious advantage in defense.

Rajon Rondo

Rondo is arguably the best point guard in the league. He is capable of hitting 15-footers now unlike in 2008. Bryant can’t leave him open anymore and help out swarming Pierce and Allen. The Lakers have to slow the pace down and take away Rondo’s quickness in the open court. Everything starts with Rondo on offense, if he’s shut down the entire Celtics offense will stall.

Bench

The bench will be a major factor for both teams. Rasheed Wallace has come on strong in the playoffs, Big Baby Davis provides energy and hustle and Nate Robinson can score points in a hurry. For the Lakers, Lamar Odom needs to stay focused. They can’t afford him to go drifting into space. Shannon Brown will have to play great defense on Ray Allen and Jordan Farmar has to knock down some shots.

Verdict

This is a tough call with both teams playing at such a high level. Lakers in 6 given that Kobe will be in revenge mode.

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Even if your team didn’t make the playoffs, you can still flaunt your team’s colors with our NBA merchandise. You can also check out our NBA bedding for your favorite team. NBA watches and NBA jewelry make the perfect gift for a basketball fan. To see some great basketball merchandise, head on over to the NBA store.

Can Kobe Bryant and the Lakers avenge their 2008 Finals loss to the Celtics? Show your support with fantastic Los Angeles Lakers merchandise that include banners, wall clocks, flags, throw blankets, pillows, comforters,wall hangings and wallpaper border.

Decorate your bedrooms with our Los Angeles Lakers bedding. Drape everything in purple and yellow to support the Lakers on their quest for a second straight championship. Never feel left out with our selection of Los Angeles Lakers merchandise.

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It’s going to be exciting knowing that the Lakers are out for revenge against the Celtics. check out additional Los Angeles Lakers merchandise at our NBA Shop

Celtics fans are itching to prove that their 2008 win over the LA Lakers wasn’t a fluke. Support their cause with our great Boston Celtics bedding. There’s more Boston Celtics merchandise available to keep you feeling the luck of the Leprechaun in the Finals.

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Keep the Leprechaun alive wherever you go. You can never come short of luck when its against these Lakers.  Head on over to MyTeamBling.com for a selection of Celtics watches, Celtics bracelets, Celtics earrings and Celtics necklaces.

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Check out our selection of NBA watches today. Shop for great watches for yourself or to give as a gift to fellow hoop fans.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Boston Celtics. The Celtics had an opportunity to steal Game One from the Cavs but they couldn’t find the bucket in the last two minutes. And of course LeBron James scored 12 of his 35 points in the fourth despite playing with a sprained elbow. Boston kept the game close until James and Mo Williams exploded down the stretch. Boston should be confident they weren’t blown out despite Paul Pierce struggling.

Cavs in 6. Cavs lead 1-0

Atlanta Hawks vs Orlando Magic. The Hawks struggled against a Buck team that was missing their talented center. They were beaten in two games by the Bucks perimeter game. Is Joe Johnson still playing? He struggled mightily against the Bucks. Rashard Lewis, Matt Barnes and Vince Carter are tough match-ups for the inconsistent Hawks. Expect Dwight Howard to dominate in the paint after having a miserable series against the Bobcats.

Orlando in 5

Utah Jazz vs Los Angeles Lakers. Phil Jackson is 45-0 in the playoffs when winning the first game of a playoff series. If that wasn’t bad enough for the Jazz check this stat out: Utah hasn’t won in the Staples Center in the last 15 games against the Lakers. Pau Gasol dominated Utah’s smaller frontline in Game One. Either the Jazz add a few inches to their height or they’ll be eliminated by the Lakers again.

Lakers in 6. Lakers lead 1-0

Phoenix Suns vs San Antonio Spurs. This will be another exciting match-up between two teams that know each other all too well in the playoffs. Grant Hill needs to slow down Manu Ginobili. But that still leaves Tony Parker and George Hill to worry about. The Spurs have too may weapons and play superior defense to the Suns. Simply put, the Spurs had the Suns number since the dawn of time. Jason Richardson needs to be more consistent if Phoenix wants to finally get past the Spurs. Channing Frye’s outside shooting will be the x-factor in the series.

Spurs in 5.

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Eastern Conference

(1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs (8) Chicago Bulls

The most intriguing storyline of this series is that the Bulls have enough salary cap to sign LeBron during the summer. James will get a glimpse of his future teammates if he decides to sign with Chicago. Other than that, easy sweep for the Cleveland LeBron-liers.

(2) Orlando Magic vs (7) Charlotte Bobcats

The Bobcats are versatile and will give the Magic match-up problems. Vince Carter, Matt Barnes, and Rashard Lewis will have their hands full against Gerald Wallace and Stephen Jackson. Despite these factors, no one on the Bobcats can stop a determined Dwight Howard.

(3) Atlanta Hawks vs (6) Milwaukee Bucks

The Hawks have too many weapons for the Bucks. Andrew Bogut’s presence in the middle will be sorely missed. It would’ve been an entertaining series if Bogut was playing. Rookie Brandon Jennings will have at least one 30-point game. He’s too quick for the slow-footed Mike Bibby and too dynamic for the defense-deficient Jamal Crawford.

(4) Boston Celtics vs (5) Miami Heat

The Celtics completely owned the Heat during the regular season. Boston wins this series in five games, but it’s tough to count out Miami considering they have the best player in the series.

Western Conference

(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs (8) Oklahoma City Thunder

The Lakers and Thunder enter the playoffs struggling. There have been doubts on the Lakers chances of repeating with all the problems they’ve faced during the season. On the other hand, Kevin Durant and the Thunder make their first appearance in the playoffs. The Thunder will make games interesting in the first three quarters of games before Kobe and Pau Gasol take over in the stretch. Durant will score at least 30 points three times in the series because Ron Artest, the Lakers premier defender, is not as good defensively as he once was.

(2) Dallas Mavericks vs (7) San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs have taught us one thing in the past: never doubt them in the playoffs. San Antonio is still good enough to make it out of the first-round. The Mavericks have been rejuvenated since acquiring Caron Butler, Brendan Haywood and DeShawn Stevenson from the Wizards. It’s a shame that the veteran, old Spurs have not made significant changes to challenge the new look Mavs.

(3) Phoenix Suns vs (6) Portland Trail Blazers

The Suns are riding high after destroying the Jazz at Salt Lake last night. The Blazers not so much — they lost to a Warriors team that had only six healthy players. Even if Roy is cleared to play he won’t be a hundred percent.

(4) Denver Nuggets vs (5) Utah Jazz

The Nuggets made it to the conference finals last year and hope to improve upon that. The Jazz and Nuggets are evenly matched. The x-factor is Carlos Boozer. Will he play hard to earn a lucrative contract this season? Or will his injury limit his performance? Expect a close series between the two.

NBA Merchandise

Hey hoops fans, it just might be time to show your support for your favorite team with our selection of NBA merchandise. Your kids’ bedroom need a major sports makeover? Check out our NBA bedding for their favorite team. Flaunt your love for your NBA team by checking out our NBA watches and NBA jewelry. To see some great basketball merchandise, head on over to the NBA store.

Orlando has been overlooked for much of the playoffs, but have managed to knock out high-profile teams like the Celtics and Cavaliers.  They’ll use that underdog status in the finals to further motivate themselves to come out on top.

Los Angeles is looking to redeem themselves from last year’s loss in the finals to the Celtics.  Kobe Bryant is going for his fourth ring and the first without Shaquille O’Neal.

Who do you think will win the 2009 NBA Finals?  Do the Lakers have it sewn up, or will the Magic take out another favored team to take it all?  Take our quick poll and pick your winner.

You can always find fun Los Angeles Lakers merchandise and Orlando Magic merchandise at MySportsDecor.com to decorate your home or office.  You can also check out some unique Los Angeles Lakers watches and Orlando Magic watches at MyTeamBling.com.

Photo by RMTip21 available under a Creative Commons Attribution license.

The eastern conference brings us the Cleveland Cavaliers versus the Orlando Magic.  The Magic actually won two of their three match-ups against the Cavaliers in the regular season, but the Cavaliers breezed through the first two rounds of the playoffs without a single loss and are looking pretty unbeatable at the moment.

Take our quick poll and tell us if you think the Cavaliers will continue to dominate and win this series, or if you think the Magic have what it takes to dethrone King LeBron.

In the western conference, we have the Los Angeles Lakers taking on the Denver Nuggets.  Everyone expected the Lakers to be here in the conference finals, but they did show some inconsistency in their 7 game series against the Rockets.  The Nuggets are playing really good basketball right now, losing only one game in each of their first two playoff series.

This looks like it could be another seven game series in the making. Take our poll and tell us who you think will come out the victors and move on to the NBA finals.

Check out the NBA Shop to stock up on some NBA merchandise in this final month of the season.  Don’t forget that June 21 is right around the corner.  An NBA watch makes a great Father’s Day gift for your basketball-loving dad!

Photo by Keith Allison available under a Creative Commons Attribution license.

The Mavericks looked strong in their 4-1 series win over the Spurs in round one, but they will need to dig deeper if they have any hopes of beating the red-hot Nuggets in round two.  The Nuggets won all 4 of their meetings with the Mavericks during the regular season.

Also in the western conference, the Houston Rockets will be battling the Los Angeles Lakers.  The Rockets are pumped up by getting past the first round of the playoffs for the first time in a long time, but the Lakers are still favored to win this series and move on to the conference finals.

With little time to rest from their grueling 7 game series with the Bulls, the Boston Celtics will be taking on the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference semifinals.  These teams split their regular season meetings and look to be evenly matched, which could mean another long series for the Celtics.

Also in the east, the Cleveland Cavaliers will be coming off a nine day rest to take on the Atlanta Hawks who are celebrating their first playoff series win since 1999.  The Hawks have a tough road ahead against the team boasting this season’s best record and league MVP.

Will we see any surprises in round 2, or are we destined for #1 vs. #2 match-ups in both conference finals?  Let us know what you think this second round holds by leaving a comment below.

Now is the time to shop at the NBA Store to stock up on NBA merchandise for your favorite playoff team, or order an NBA watch for  your favorite NBA-loving dad for Father’s Day!

Photo by Keith Allison, available under a Creative Commons Attribution license.