HARD IN THE PAINT: RAY ALLEN AND C’S HEADED THE RIGHT WAY, LAKERS NOT SO MUCH

Ray Ray does it again, hitting a last second three off of a solid assist from Paul Pierce to give the C’s an 87-85 win in game one over the Knicks. Melo had the chance counter for the Knicks, but couldn’t connect on what had to have been an almost 30ft attempt. The Celtics played a tough game, but you have to wonder where the Knicks offensive game plan was at. Stoudemire was seemingly forgotten down the stretch and Melo missed 10 of 11 shots in the second half. Worse than that for NYK was an injury to Chauncy Billups who went down with a knee injury late in the game.

Celtics 87 – Knicks 85

Hornets get at the Lakers

Contrary to our prediction the Lakers didn’t right their ship in game 1 against the Hornets, in fact they looked just like the team we saw at the end of the regular season, old and frustrated. Chris Paul might have had something to do with that as he racked up 33 points and 14 assist, to combat Kobe 34 point outing. Guys like Carl Landry and Jarret Jack provided enough heat for the Hornets to go into the Staple Center and walk out victorious, leaving the Lakers in the unfamiliar territory of being down 0-1 to a seven seed. One bright spot for the Lake show was Ron Artest who held it down with 16 points and 11 rebounds

Hornets 109 – Lakers 100

photo via LAT