BASKETBALL

In the NBA, the featured match-up of the night was the always thrilling Lakers v. Celtics.  At the beginning of the season, these teams were expected to face-off in the Finals again.  They’re both strong, yet shaky at times, so these previews can really give us an insight into what kind of action we could expect in June.  And from an action perspective, LA and Boston did not disappoint.

Both teams looked great coming out of the gate.  The hero for the Celtics was their young point-guard Rajon Rondo.  He finished the night with 21 points and 9 assists.  The Celtics began to run away, but the Lakers came back.  Towards the end of the game, the Celtics had the lead 89-88, but then Paul Pierce was whistled for a clumsy offensive foul.  Lakers ball.  And whom do you think the rock went to?  That’s right, Kobe Bryant.  He dribbled to the free throw line, did a couple fakes, and launched up a line-drive fade-away.  GOOD!!!  The Lakers take the lead.  The Celtics had one last chance, and they hurled into their 3-point marksman, Ray Allen.  He put it up, and it clanged against the rim.  Big win for the Lakers, and Kobe adds yet another game-winning shot to his resume.  LA Lakers 90, Boston 89.

Elsewhere in the NBA, LeBron and the Cleveland Cavaliers traveled to Los Angeles to take on the Clippers.  But it was as if the Clippers didn’t even show up.  In the first quarter alone, the Cavs put up, count ’em, 46 points.  LeBron finished the night with 32 points and 11 assists as the Cavs continue to be dominant.  Right now, they are the favorite to come out of the East.  If LeBron wants to play in a bigger market, it’s hard to think that he won’t do everything in his power to finally win a title for Cleveland.  Cleveland 114, LA Clippers 89.

TENNIS

In tennis, it was the final of the Australian open between the incredible #1 seed Roger Federer and the British #5 seed Andy Murray.  Murray had no interest in losing and the match had to go into a playoff period.  The rule is a player has to win by two.  And these guys went back and forth for 11 points before Federer got the job done and won his 16th Grand Slam Title.  That is an incredible achievement.  Congrats to Roger.

FOOTBALL

Finally, the NFL tried an experiment this year and scheduled the Pro Bowl the weekend before the Super Bowl in Miami.  Typically, it’s after the Super Bowl (in Hawaii), but few watch it.  Perhaps while America still has football, you should serve them as much as possible?  Well, like it always is, the Pro Bowl was an offensive shootout.  This is because the defensive players don’t want to risk their career killing themselves in an exhibition game.  It was a back-and-forth battle with touchdown passes coming from favorites Aaron Rodgers, Matt Schaub, Tony Romo, but the winning touchdown belonged to the league’s best running-back this season, the Titans Chris Johnson.  The AFC locked up the Pro Bowl, but can the Colts continue the AFC dominance and win the Super Bowl?  AFC 41, NFC 34.