Here we go again as I liveblog Game 5 of the NBA Finals between the Celtics and Lakers.  In Game 4 I was able to break the Mystique and Aura “In Game Observation post” Curse.  Check out Game 1 here and Game 3 here.  You’ll notice that there is no Game 2, which occurred when I had a power outage and had to listen to Game 2.  Seeing as how games 3 and 4 played out, I still have no visual proof that Ray Allen set a record for 3 points in an NBA finals game, and I doubt it truly happened. I have seen Ray Allen attempt 14 3 pointers this series and make zero.  And I’m supposed to believe the one game I didn’t witness he went 8-11?

Pregame Notes

A couple big questions for Game 5.  How will Andrew Bynum’s knee respond, can he give the Lakers 30 good minutes?  Will Kobe Bryant’s 4^th quarter disappearing act continue as in Games 3 and 4?  Will Ray Allen make a shot?  Will two of the Big 3 get it going?  Can the Celtics bench come up big again?  Can Rasheed Wallace and Kendrick Perkins play aggressive and avoid 7th technicals that would lead to suspension?  Has Pau Gasol showered?

We will get answers to most of these questions and more tonight, and I truly think the winner of this game wins the series (I reserve the right to change my mind if the Lakers win).  If the Lakers win I don’t see the Celtics going back to LA and winning two straight at the Staples Center.  If the Celtics win, I see them going into Staples and winning the one they need, as they have already shown they can win there, and were better on the road this year.

*So who’s got the Anthem tonight?  My bet is someone I’ve either never heard of or hasn’t been relevant since the 70′s.

*I really hope Bill Belichick is at the game tonight.  Putting him on the JumboTron gets the crowd going like nothing I’ve ever seen.

*One of my questions has been answered already.  There is no way Pau Gasol has showered.  For at least a week.

*Rocky music playing at the Garden.  I approve.  Wholeheartedly.

*”Kobe is going to be the reason the Lakers win tonight.  If they win.”  Gee, thanks Jon Barry, you’re bringing your A game there.  If the Lakers win, it’s because their best player.  Stunning.

*Derek Fisher didn’t cry in that pregame interview.  Odds were 50/50.  I lost.

*Okay, don’t love the Boston Pops for the Anthem, but at least they’re relevant.  I guess that’s another bet I lost.  I did have money on Gasol not showering though, that was easy.

*Phil Jackson’s eyes are open, so I don’t think he’s in a coma, but I’m not completely sure.

*I expect a great crowd tonight, no matter what it’s the last game they’ll see this season.  Better make the most of it.  Definitely want to see Lamar Odom get to the line so we can hear some “ugly sister” chants.

*Coming into the series Kobe Bryant scared me, but not anymore.  Ray Allen does a solid job on him, and Tony Allen does a great job on him.  Sure he’ll hit some tough shots and make some good plays on D, but he’s taken a bunch of bad shots, and gotten caught in the air a lot this series.  Considering Derek Fisher and Lamar Odom have been the go-to guys for the Lakers in the 4th quarter the last two games, I never, ever, have to hear anyone put Kobe anywhere near Michael Jordan’s class right?  Kobe might go down as a top 10 guy, but that’s still miles from Jordan.  How quickly people forget.

*Joey Crawford is one of the refs for tonight’s game.  That’s bad.  For everyone.

*Which Paul Pierce shows up tonight?  He was great in the first quarter of Game 4, then didn’t show back up until the 4th.  Need 4 full quarters out of him tonight.

*It’s pretty amusing that the Dwight Howard/Lebron James O-U-T commercial is only dunks.  That’s all Howard can do anyway.

*ABC’s new shows look ungodly awful.

1st Quarter

*KG’s resurgence these last few games has amazed me.  2-0 Celtics.

*If the Celtics can hit the glass and run, they’ll win.  They’ve gotten killed on the boards and loose balls, rendering their fastbreak non-existent.

*Rondo with the 15 foot jumper, 6-0 Celtics.

*Will Andrew Bynum develop into an All-Star, or is this what he is (which is pretty good)?

*If, if, Ray Allen hits a 3 tonight, the place will absolutely explode.  The other night I was writing when, it’s now if.

*Lakers tie it at 6, they are getting a ton of offensive rebounds.  Not good for the Celtics.

*Rondo just misses a jumper, but needs to keep shooting that so they can’t cheat on him.

*Derek Fisher hit’s the most awkward shots ever.  10-8 Lakers.

*Pierce looking good early, he needs to bring it all game though. 10-10.

*After the Lakers run quieted the crowd, they seem back into it.

*Nice jump hook for KG.  He and Pierce have it going.  12-10 Celtics.

*So does Bynum.  12-12.

*Pierce storms off the court after a foul, and ABC can’t get us a replay?  Weak.

*Now we get a replay.  Terrible call.  Refs gave the Lakers 3 points there.

*Airball! Airball! Airball! Airball! Airball!

*More 3 point attempts for Ron Artest please.

*Kendrick Perkins leading the break.  It led to bad things.  Shocking.

*Game 4 star Big Baby Davis now into the game.  He needs to attack the glass.

*How many Taco Bell burritos could Charles Barkley eat?  20? 50?

*These “Grown Ups” commercials/spots are so bad.  I kind of wanted to see the movie, but that has changed.

*Kobe hits a line drive 3.  18-18.

*Pierce with a tough step-back jumper over Odom.  Pierce looking good.  20-18 Celtics.

*Ron Artest = Tony Allen.  Great on D, scary on O.

*First Sheed sighting of the night.  Let’s see if someone tries to bait him into a T.  I’m not talking about the Lakers, I mean the refs.

*Pierce having another strong 1st quarter, another step-back jumper.  22-20 Celtics.

*I think the person most pissed off about Ray Allen’s slump is Ray Allen’s mom.  Not because he’s her son, but because she gets camera time for every single shot he makes.  I forgot what she looks like.

At the end of one quarter it’s 22-20 Celtics.  KG, Pierce and Rondo all look good, Ray Allen is missing again.  Andrew Bynum was the best player for the Lakers, they better hope his knee stays loose.  While shooters shoot their way out of slumps, the Celtics can’t have too much more patience with Ray Ray.  If Kobe is on the bench, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Doc try out a Rondo/Nate Rob backcourt.

2nd Quarter

*I hate Phil Jackson.  I love Phil Jackson’s sideline interviews. He just looks so disgusted by it.

*Shrek and Donkey on the court together to start this quarter.

*I don’t care that Tony Allen made that jumper, it’s bad offense. 24-20 Celtics

*Finally TA makes a shot on offense, and commits a stupid foul on defense.  Like clockwork.

*Sheed hit’s his first shot.  If he’s on, he brings a huge element.  26-20 Celtics.

*Celtics getting killed on the offensive boards.  26-22 Celtics.

*TA should change his initials to TO.  He’s a turnover machine.

*Nice job their by Nate Rob.  He loves taking 35 footers but got a better shot.  28-22 Celtics.

*Nice baseball pass by Big Baby and Tony Allen made the layup.  30-22 Celtics.

*Celtics are shooting 62.5% from the field.  Lakers are at 29.6%.  This should be a bigger lead.  The 3 gifted free throws looming large now, could be in double digits.

*Kobe struggling big time early.  Tony Allen just matches up so well against him.

*Could Tony Allen shut down Michael Jordan?  Thinks………………….hell no.

*Vujabitch hits a 3.  30-25 Celtics.

*Celtics with two straight turnovers.  Nate Rob did a good job of not letting Farmar get the shot there.  Solid foul.

*1 of 2 for Farmer.  30-26 Celtics.

*Andrew Bynum, you just got Rondo’d

*Paul Pierce about to check back in.  I think they should bring him to the scorer’s table in a wheelchair every time, just to piss off Lakers fans.

*8 turnovers with 6 minutes to go in the 2nd is completely unacceptable.

*Artest for 3.  32-31 Celtics.

*Andrew Bynum lives in the paint.  No 3 seconds call there?

*It’s about time on the 3 seconds call.  They are pitching a tent in there.

*The Celtics have yet to attempt a free throw.  They need to get more aggressive on offense, but if they keep turning the ball over it won’t matter.

*Who thought these “Grown Ups” spots were a good idea?

*Jeff Van Gundy is great, but just admit Kobe is playing bad tonight.

*Rondo is still hitting that jumper, will the Lakers adjust?

*Carry?  They don’t call that in the NBA.

*Rondo, that’s just stupid.  Completely stupid.  And now Ron Artest may kill you.

*Wow.  Has Artest been watching the World Cup?  What a dive.

*”Say Queensbridge now Ron!”  Great line there.

*Artest for 3.  36-35 Celtics.

*Another turnover.  Holy shit.

*Kobe finally hits a shot.  37-36 Lakers.

*Pierce for 3!!!!! 39-37 Celtics.

*Wow, Ray was off again on that.  They get the tip in.  41-37 Celtics.

*Jose, I was thisclose to adding a caveat that my “pitching a tent” reference should not be taken in any way other than actually pitching a tent.  LL Bean style.

*Offensive rebounds and turnovers are keeping this a two point game.

*Pierce is on tonight.  Keep feeding him.  Please. 43-39 Celtics.

*Rondo vs. Kobe.  Pretty clear that was going against Rondo no matter what.

*Gotta love the makeup call there.

*Luke Walton coming in.  Pierce needs to abuse him.

*Pierce has 15, and it’s been an easy 15.  Nothing forced (Kobe style) and getting good shots.

At the end of the half, the Celtics are up 45-39.  They have played great on offense when they didn’t turn the ball over, but already have 10 TA’s (or TO’s) tonight.  They should be at 10 for the game, not the half.  Kobe, despite what Jeff Van Gundy says, has been terrible.  Gasol has been pretty quiet as the Lakers were led by Fisher and Bynum.  Shockingly only one player is in foul trouble, as Artest has 3.  Ray Allen has not got it going, and at some point you need to cut bait with him.  He’s just out of it out there, I hope everything is okay with his kid.  He missed practice the other day with a family related issue, hope it’s not health related.  If the Celtics continue to get, and hit good shots and cut back on the turnovers, they should win the game.  Kobe will likely make a run here in the 3rd quarter, but if the last two games have told us anything, he might not show in the 4th.

*I’m glad Pierce got pissed off at the end of the half.  A pissed off Pierce is a good Pierce.  When he was young this wasn’t the case, but for the past few years he channels that energy the right way.  They should go right to Pierce to start the 2nd half.  Artest can either play him tough and risk the4th foul, or give him a little space which Pierce, especially tonight, can take advantage of.

*Do Utah fans still boo Derek Fisher when he’s in town?  If so, screw Utah.

*You know what? Screw Utah anyway.  He never should have been booed there.  Total lack of class by anyone who booed Fisher for asking out of his Utah contract.

*Derek Fisher got the Doug Mirabelli treatment?  I did not know that.

*The two best teams in basketball have combined to make 5 of 12 free throws.  That’s just poor.

3rd Quarter

*Kobe was just criticized.  Someone call CNN.

*After a monster block by Perkins, Pierce for 3!!! 50-39 Celtics.

*3 seconds goes both ways refs.  Momentum killer.

*Until Kobe missed the free throw.

*Tough turnaround by Kobe.  I’ll let him have that shot all day, he’ll make it 30% of the time.

*Wow, nice move by Perk.  52-41 Celtics.

*Ray Allen…………………ugh.

*Allen might be the best 3 point shooter in NBA history, and he’s missed 16 in a row.

*Kobe’s heating up, and Ray Allen still can’t shoot.  Tony Allen soon?

*Despite Kobe’s great start to the 3rd, the Celtics have increased their lead by 3.  Pierce for 2.  58-49 Celtics.

*Kobe with an offensive foul?  Stunning.

*Kobe has 10 points this quarter which is great, but the Celtics have now extended their halftime lead by 5 to 60-49.

*Kobe is now going to guard Pierce, which may hurt his offense. Need Rondo or Allen to step it up with Kobe switching off.

*Double technicals on Allen and Fisher?  They are like the two nicest guys in the NBA.

*What?  How can you waive that off?

*Ok, it counts.  Phew.

*Kobe is on fire………….but the Lakers aren’t making a dent.  I’d much rather Kobe take off balance shots than Gasol take open 15 footers anyway.

*Just 4 free throw attempts for the Celtics into the 3rd quarter.  KG hits them both.  64-53 Celtics.

*Wow.  Kobe is on fire.  Long 3 on a busted play.  64-56 Celtics.

*Time for Tony Allen, or the Colorado D.A. to come cool off Kobe.

*The Celtics have no answer for Kobe, but the Lakers have no answer for the Celtics.  KG with the And 1, 67-56 Celtics.

*Good job for the refs to not fall for that soccer style flop on Fisher.  Allen off the glass.  69-58 Celtics.

*Even though Pierce missed that shot, it showed Walton’s total inability to cover him.

*I hope Kobe takes every shot for the Lakers for the rest of the game.

*As much as I don’t want to kill the momentum, I would love for the Celtics to get Ray a good look at a 3.

*Will Tony Allen be in the game after this timeout?  I think so.  He forces Kobe into tough shots.  Kobe might make them now anyway, but make him work harder for it.

*And Tony Allen is in.  It’s like Doc is reading my mind.  Or my blog.

*UGLY SISTER!!! UGLY SISTER!!! UGLY SISTER!!! UGLY SISTER!!!  Come on Boston, let’s hear it!

*Turnovers have continued this half.

*OMG, Tony Allen.  Wow.

*I think Breen almost called Tony Allen Kobe Allen.  He can’t get Kobe off his mind.

At the end of 3, the Celtics lead 73-65.  Despite a spectacular 3rd quarter from Kobe, the Celtics increased their lead by 2.  Will Kobe show up in the 4th quarter this game, or is he gassed from the 3rd quarter?  The 4th quarter has not been his friend.

4th Quarter

*A little analogy for the Yankee fans reading.  Tony Allen on defense is like Marcus Thames vs. LHP. Tony Allen on offense is like Marcus Thames on defense.

*After that offensive barrage in the 3rd, Kobe is barely shooting 50% from the field.

*The Celtics have won every quarter so far, and I don’t believe in jinxes.

*If you had told me there was going to be a backcourt violation, I would have put $100 it was on the Celtics.

*Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed for 3.  76-67 Celtics.

*Tough runner from Kobe, but again, great defense.  76-69 Celtics.

*I love Nate Rob.  I hope they resign him, and that he keeps his head on straight.  This version of Nate Rob is great for this team, especially with Ray Ray looking so bad.

*That’s a foul on Kobe.  That was several fouls on Kobe.

*Wow, what does Kobe have to do to get a foul called on him.

*Ok, tackle is the answer.  Kobe gets to tackle someone before they call a foul.  Got it.

*Pierce, with 8:25 to go just became the 2nd Celtic to take a free throw.  Crazy.

*Another difficult shot for Kobe.  79-71 Celtics.

*If the Lakers don’t play defense, it won’t matter what Kobe does.

*So the ref doesn’t know who to call a foul on, so he calls it on both of them.  He missed the first foul on Fisher that should have been called.

*The NBA refs can’t make their makeup calls any less transparent.

*Odom with the offensive rebound and bucket.  81-75 Celtics.

*Jimmy Buffett in the house! Didn’t he get kicked out of a Heat game a few years ago?

*Big shot by the resurged KG (I made that word up right?) 83-75 Celtics.

*Rondo with the steal and the bucket.  85-75 Celtics.

*Another steal, and a dangerous pass.  Phew.

*Lakers are getting extremely sloppy on offense.

*RONDO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a putback on the missed 3! Celtics 87-75.

*I actually think the 7 turnovers for Rondo, while not good, are a good sign.  He’s being aggressive with the ball in his hands and not deferring to his teammates.

*5 fouls for Kobe tonight means he won’t even get 3 in Game 6.

*Once again Kobe has failed to show up in the 4th quarter.

*If Ray Allen finds his shot, the Celtics will win Game 6 easily.

*Gasol went from the best player in Games 1 and 2 to disappearing now.  A lot of that is on Kobe though.

*Wow.  That’s a tough foul on Perkins no?  I want to see a replay.

*Artest to the line for 2.  He’ll miss 1.

*Told ya.

*Artest just gave Pierce the “I’ll kill you” smile.

*Perkins misses two free throws.  Ugh.

*The Celtics will need to hit free throws down the stretch.  Will be interesting to see if the Celtics go to Nate Rob over Rondo.  They need to at least have Rondo throw the ball in.

*Kobe’s allowed to miss.  That’s a total BS call.

*What a bailout there.  Kobe’s taking an off balance 3, Allen doesn’t even go up to challenge, and Crawford calls it a foul.

*Need a good offensive possession here.

*Come on, that hit the rim.

*Wow.  Ray Allen couldn’t miss more if he tried.  I’m going to start calling him Shoeless.

*Taking a shot at Ray Ray just felt terrible.  But I won’t delete it.

*At least if Ray Ray took a shot at me I know he’d miss.

*Garnett vs. Fisher for the jumpball.  We’ll take it.

*What Phil Jackson said in the huddle was totally true.  But when the Celtics hear that, it won’t go over well.

*How did we not win the tip there?  Unreal.

*Wallace and/or Perkins would have gotten T’d up for what Kobe just did.  No question.

*That inbounds play and layup was insane.  Both crazy insane and awesome insane.  89-82 Celtics.

*Nice job there to kill the clock and get it back to Ray Ray for the free throws.  Heads up all the way around.

*Ray hits em both.  Despite missing 17.093,455 straight 3′s, I still typed that before he shot his first one. 91-84 Celtics.

*KG hits one, two possession game.  Is Reggie Miller in the building?  92-86 Celtics.

That’s the final in Boston as the Celtics win 92-86.  If Ray Allen manages to find his shot by the time the plane lands, the Celtics will prevail in Game 6.  Other than the turnovers, they finally looked good on offense, as KG, Pierce and Rondo all had very good games.  The Celtics didn’t need Allen or the bench to do a whole lot but managed the win.  They won the first 3 quarters and the Lakers outscored them by just 2 in the 4^th.  Kobe, again, wasn’t much of a factor in the 4^th quarter.  Jon Barry predicted that the Lakers would win because of Kobe.  If they won.  I’m confused, was he right?