The Lakers will win, or can they?

By the time you read this, Game 4 between the Lakers and the Nuggets was history and the Cavaliers and the Magic should be pounding the air out the Spaldings in their own Game 4.

Tomorrow, the well-rested Cleveland Cavaliers will face the Orlando Magic, who likewise are back in the Eastern Conference Finals since their last appearance in 1996.

54 days ago, or April 3, was the last time Cleveland lost and lose they did to Orlando with a 29-point annihilation. That was prior to the two loses they had in this series with Orlando.

LeBron James and his Cavaliers are feeling unbeatable with an 8-game playoff win streak and a franchise record winning season. But the Magic changed all that feeling. LeBron found his match in Dwight Howard as far as thunderous dunks are concerned and although the King will score 40 or 50 points a game, the Superman has more back-up. As an afterthought, Howard is a great defensive player.

Yes, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Joe Smith and Anderson Varejao can cover Howard but he can kick it out to shooters like Hedo Turkoglu, Rafer Alston and Rashard Lewis. Throw in Mikael Pietrus to the picture and LeBron will definitely have migraines. If not for that Game 2 miracle shot , Orlando should be up 3-0.

Bottom line, the Celtics are easier prey for the Cavs for the simple reason that Kevin Garnett is out. The Magic is more versatile. By the way, Orlando is the first team in 33 playoff series to beat the Celtics after trailing 3-2. How’s that for motivation. I’ll pick Orlando to win over Cleveland.

On the Western front, the match-up between Pau Gasol and Kenyon Martin has been equal in some sort of way. K-Mart is a very good and aggressive defender and he has pushed, grabbed and trash talked to intimidate Gasol. The last time I checked, Gasol was almost tough and I hope he toughens up some more, for K-Mart’s sake.

As we have seen, this series isn’t a stroll for the Lakers, even though they are 10-1 versus Denver over two seasons combined. In NBA playoff history, the Lakers are 15-3, the wins coming in the first round of the 1979 playoffs, one in the 1985 Western Conference Finals and another win last Friday. 

Statistics show that Los Angeles made good by winning Game 3 over Denver last Sunday. As I write this, it’s almost tip-off for Game 4 to start. Anyway, back to history. The Lakers are 4-8 in a best of seven series after losing Game 3 when splitting the first two games. After being tied 1-1 when winning Game 3, they are 17-4. So Laker Nation, we are still safe as far as statistics go.

The acquisition of Chauncey Billups has been the key to Denver’s turnaround. Carmelo Anthony has miraculously been consistent in this series that he should be scoring more for Denver to win. Aside from K-Mart, Brazilian center Nene Hilario and Chris Andersen has provided the muscle and the points inside the paint.  

Andrew Bynum has been consistently inconsistent in this series. That 7-foot, maybe 300 pound body should be on the floor often, not riding the bench most of the time. Hey, if Bynum is still in suspended animation, Phil Jackson could use Josh Powell or DJ Mbenga, maybe they will produce.

The Lakers have an unfair amount of talent but they also have the ridiculous ability to throw away games. Denver is a bigger and stronger team than Houston and this has turned out to be a bruising and tight series. After Game 3, players of both teams looked spent, Kobe especially, that he needed an IV drip. As you all know, I have purple and gold running in my veins and it would be sacrilegious to root for any other team. So, GO LAKERS!

* * *

Tonight will be the 61st Anniversary presentation of Liloan’s most enduring organization, the Fisheries, Inc.   Lots of fun and laughter awaits the audience that only the organization can deliver in its trademark way. Production numbers are done by the petite and talented Cora Canete. Party people, if you’re in the mood, music will be provided by Elmer Dado’s heir apparent, DJ Leandro Zayco and the Patiqueros. See you tonight!

E-mail me at [email protected]