[/caption]While the reporters who cover the NBA have been openly pondering the inevitable Lakers/Celtics finals—a rematch of the 2008 NBA Finals, won by the Celtics in six games—the team from Phoenix has decided that it might not be so inevitable after all.
The Suns (or Los Suns, depending on when they wear their alternate jerseys) evened up their series against Los Angeles with a 115-106 victory Tuesday night. That game followed a 118-109 victory on Sunday that erased the Lakers’ 2-0 series lead. Both teams have held court at home, and the series shifts back to Los Angeles on Thursday.
Of course, the Lakers are still the Lakers, and they still have Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol. But they don’t have a series lead anymore, and the pressure will be back on them to perform on their home court.
As for the Suns, they have more than a few rays of hope after Tuesday’s victory. They showed they can compete with Los Angeles, and Sunday wasn’t a fluke. They also don’t have a head coach who seems to be courted while he’s still guiding his team in the playoffs. Lakers coach Phil Jackson has been linked to Chicago (where he won six titles with one Michael Jordan). He’s denied any interest in his old job, but New Jersey and Cleveland have also been rumored to be interested in his services. It’s nice to have so many options, but distracting when you’re trying to defend your title. Phoenix will take any edge they can get, and whatever has Los Angeles focusing on anything but basketball is good for them.
The Lakers might still advance to pursue their 16th world title. But “might” is a lot different than “will,” and just a few days ago a rematch with the Celtics seemed like a sure thing. The Celtics themselves lost a close game as Orlando avoided a sweep on Monday, so the Magic are still alive as well. But their series doesn’t look as close as the one in the West, where Phoenix has turned up the heat headed into game five on Thursday. A victory by the Suns on the road puts Los Angeles into a must-win situation heading back to Phoenix.
If that happens, the story would go from “inevitable” to “incredible.” Welcome to the NBA.
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