*Exhale*

Only time for a short post today. More before game 3...

•How quickly we forget - wasn't it just - oh, I don't know, Game 6 of Detroit? - where they let a big lead get down to 2 in the closing minutes of the game? They've been doing this all year. Not that it makes it any less horrifying when it happens. That's got to go on Doc's list - it's inexcusable how they play when protecting a big lead. Prevent defense. However, it does mean I'm not worried that the Lakers have somehow "figured out" how to beat the Celtics.

•Here's what I had to say about Leon Powe two years ago (Draft Day '06) : "If Leon Powe's knees hold up, he'll be an All-Star. No question in my mind. He's the shit. Great pick in the 2nd round." Not sure if that will actually happen, but I just wanted to point out that his performance last night was not surprising to at least one person.

•Yes, there was a huge free throw disparity. Was the game reffed unfairly? Didn't really feel that way. If the Lakers want to get more trips to the line, they should try driving the lane more and whining to the media less. Game 3 might be an over-compensation game, but for 40 minutes last night, the C's D did exactly what they wanted - lots of jump shots, no layups, no free throws. No official's going to disrupt that, even Bennett Salvatore.

•Rajon Rondo, 42 minutes. That's more like it.

•Rest up, Perk - and see if you can make it more than 9 seconds without committing a foul on Tuesday.