Random Ramblings

Merry Christmas everybody! The first game was like a present you play with for 5 minutes to amuse you’re relatives. Now we get the real presents. LA. Cleveland. Kobe. LeBron.

Last year when the two faced off it became an instant classic. Kobe was the reigning MVP at the time, but now it’s LeBron. Who will take it this year? Only time will tell. One things for sure, this game will certainly have a huge barring on who wins come August.

Cavs at Lakers, 5 p.m., NBA on ABC

5:43- If you missed the first live blog check it out here.

5:50- The Cavs came out slow, but quickly woke up and lead after the first 23-19 with Kobe scoring on a nice drive to end the quarter. LeBrons out to a quick start with 9, but Kobe is nipping on his heels with 8.

5:56- Early on the Lakers offense looks out of sorts. They’re taking a lot of quick shots. Meanwhile LeBron has been on the bench and Cleveland has opened up a 14 point lead.

6:06- Ilgauskas makes it a 44-25 lead and the Lakers are looking like they drank a little too much egg nog last night. Whatever the deal is they better pick it up or Cleveland might run away with this one.

6:11- Delonte West hits a rare three and the Cavs have opened it up to a 20 point lead with 4 minutes to go in the half.

6:13- Imagine if Karl Malone could move and dribble like a guard? That’s what LeBron James is. And he is finally tapping into his full potential with developing a post-up game ala the Mailman. He just abused Artest on the low block. The sad thing? The Lakers aquired Ron to guard LeBron! Plan and simple! If LeBron keeps working on the low block no one will be able to guard him. Let me repeat… NO ONE!

6:18- Getting a little chippy at the Staples Center. Artest gets wacked in the face and goes to the free throw line, but not before storming off like a kid who got coal from Santa.

6:25- Although I’m delighted to be writing these live blogs on this Christmas Day I must say I’m a little torn on who to root for. As a Celtics fan I hate the Lakers. Repeat, hate! I dislike Ron Artest. I dislike Kobe and his pet lama Pau Gasol. I dislike Phil Jackson. As for the Cavs? Well, they’re a Celtics rival and seeing them lose will help our chances in the East. I also think LeBron is kind of annoying. Oh and I hate Anderson Varejao. Sorry, I just needed to get that off my chest.

The Lakers are edging back into the game with physical play and a 12-2 run to end the half. Who new they could be physical? Cavs still lead by 9, 51-42, but it could of been a 12 point lead as LeBron barely misses puting in a half court shot as time expires.

Halftime breakdown:

Kobe leads all scorers with 18 points, but is 6-16 from the field. The rest of the Lakers have 24 points combined. Not a strong first half performance from Kobe and Co.

Cleveland has been led by LeBron and Mo Williams, who have 11 points apiece. Varejao has added some strong energy off the bench with 6 points and 4 boards in 15 minutes.

6:52- Lakers have to go inside more and continue the physical play that got them back in the game in the first half. As for Cleveland, if they keep shooting 56 percent than they should win easy, but that’s a big if.

7:03- Kobe gets fouled by Shaq but no call. Derrick Fisher complains to the refs and gets called for the T. The Kobe-Shaq storylines have taken a back seat due to the MVP-Off headlines, but it’s a curious one. Kobe complains more than anybody about no calls, but this instance was a lot more over the top than usual. Considering Shaq was the one who hacked him that bad blood might still be there. It was very chippy in the first half and it’s continued in the second. Stay tuned.

7:07- Mo Williams gets taken out my Kobe and the physical play continues. It’s still a double digit lead for the Cavs, 61-50 midway through the third.

7:12- Both sides have done a good job keeping their emotions in check. LeBron just took down a rebound as Lamar Odom tried to rip it out of his grasp. On the other end Kobe gets called for an offensive foul.

7:20- Extra passing is what has helped the Cavs regain a large lead in this one. They now lead by 18 points 74-56 with a minute left in the third.

7:21- Varejao gets an offensive board and Odom responds by hacking him. He’s called for a T and Cav lead is 20.

7:26- Kobe hits a three to end the quarter, but it’s all mute. The Cavs are running the Lakers off the floor and they will take a 17 point lead, 76-59, into the fourth. As far as the MVP race goes LeBron has been the front runner. He’s got 19 points and 7 assists. Kobe on the other hand has done even more with 25 points, 7 boards and 7 helpers but like in the first half, his shooting numbers aren’t great. Kobe is 9-24 from the field.

7:27- The Zen Master loves to send a message and he just did with that last sideline report. Not to his players, but the refs. Phillip isn’t happy with the calls he’s getting.

7:30- Why is Shaq in the game? If I were the Lakers I’d foul him everytime down the floor. All Shaq has wanted for Christmas for his entire career is to shoot a decent percentage from the charity strip. Santa’s not coming Shaq. Sorry.

7:43- It looks as if this one is all over and the Lakers are going to pack it in. Stay tuned for my next live blog of the Charger-Titans game.

7:53- The Lakers fans show their true colors. They don’t get what they want so they act like spoiled brats by throwing their fowm fingers on the court. Santa would not approve.

8:08- Final from Staples Center Cavs 102 Lakers 87. LeBron led the way for the Cavs with 26 points and 9 assists. Kobe led all scorers with 35 points but was 11 of 32 from the field. Ron Artest and Lamar Odom were ejected before it was all said and done. Say what you want about the refs, the Lakers simply didn’t show up tonight. They would of rather been sipping hot coco by the fire with their families. Instead they were getting burned by LeBron and the Cavs.