Great stuff. This ABC doubleheader with the Celtics-Magic and Cavs-Lakers reminds me of the good old days on NBC when every Sunday afternoon in the winter was filled with great NBA matchups.
dat-dat-DAH-dat-dat-DAT-DAT-Dun ... da-da-dat-dat-DAN-dat-dat-DAN-dat-dat-DAT ...
You remember the NBA on NBC tune. Still the greatest ever.
Anyway, the Lakers-Cavs game featured a 10-minute delay due to water leaking from the ceiling of Staples Center, followed by a fantastic duel between LeBron James and Kobe Bryant. In the closing minutes, LeBron blew past Kobe for a driving layup, then pulled a Kobe at the '98 All-Star game. LBJ waived off a screen -- as Kobe did to Karl Malone at the Garden in that game -- and took Bryant off the dribble for a fallaway jumper that gave LeBron 39 points and the Cavs a 96-93 lead.
After a wild scramble for a loose ball that left Kobe looking for a foul, the Lakers couldn't get a shot off on their last possession as the Cavs held on, 98-95. LeBron finished with 41 points, nine rebounds and four assists, while Kobe had 33 points, 12 rebounds and six assists.
Great stuff. Just like the good old days.