Halftime: Celtics 54, Lakers 48

Welcome to the Ray Allen Show. The Boston Celtics guard scored 27 points in the first half of Game 2 tonight, making a Finals record seven 3-pointers on eight attempts. He was 7-for-7 until the closing seconds of the half, when 7-footer Andrew Bynum ran out on him and forced a miss. The Lakers had no clue how to stop him, although they did a pretty fair job on everyone else, which helps to explain why they were only trailing by six by halftime. Allen also drew a questionable offensive foul on Kobe Bryant, his third. Bryant scored 11 points in the half. Pau Gasol continued his mastery of Kevin Garnett, scoring 14 points. Garnett had more fouls (three) and points (two). Ron Artest had a struggle in the first half, scoring two points on 0-for-5 shooting. He also made only 2 of 6 free throws.

Fisher’s future

Derek Fisher’s contract is up at season’s end and he said today he has no interest in retirement. He would like to re-sign with the Lakers and finish his career wearing purple and gold. Here’s more: “I’ve given some thought to it because it’s a reality of our business, But other than that, I haven’t really crystallized in my mind what that will look like. No, my plan is not to retire. The only thing that would change that would be physical limitations, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed on that. … “I’ll just stay the course and I’ll deal with July when it gets here. I would love to (be a Laker for the rest of his career). I’ve spent 11 of my 14 years here. Obviously, we’ve had a great deal of success.”

Lakers 102, Celtics 89

There were three significant statistics from Game 1 of the NBA Finals tonight at Staples Center. First, the Lakers outrebounded the Boston Celtics, 42-31. Second, they outscored the Celtics in the paint, 48-30. Third, they had 16 second-chance points to zero for Boston. It added up to a comprehensive victory and a 1-0 lead in the best-of-7 series. Game 2 is Sunday night at Staples Center. If those numbers don’t change significantly, then you can bet the Lakers will be holding a 2-0 lead heading to Boston for Games 3, 4 and 5.

Halftime: Lakers 50, Celtics 41

The Lakers got into foul trouble in the first half of Game 1 of the NBA Finals tonight otherwise they might be ahead by 20 points. Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol led the Lakers with 12 and 11 points, respectively. The Celtics had trouble stopping them, just as the Lakers struggled to stay in front of Rajon Rondo of Boston. Rondo had 10 points, four rebounds and four assists. The Lakers outrebounded the Celtics, 23-15. Lamar Odom has three fouls and Bryant, Ron Artest and Derek Fisher had two apiece. Ray Allen and Tony Allen each have three fouls for the Celtics.

‘The JV Show – Episode 1 – Lakers-Celtics NBA Finals Special’

On the night of the first Lakers-Celtics game in the 2010 NBA Finals, Daily News staff writer Jon Gold and Daily News sports columnist Vinnie Bonsignore start their new all-sports, all-the-time podcast, “The JV Show.”

To listen to today’s podcast, click the play button above, download this MP3, and look soon for a blog, RSS feed and iTunes listing devoted exclusively to “The JV Show.”

In this premiere episode, Jon and Vin debate whether or not Lakers-Celtics is the greatest sports rivalry of all time. They also discuss the L.A.-Boston matchups, whether Andrew Bynam is still a factor, and how not preparing for the Celtics can sink a team’s playoff hopes.

Jon and Vin also look at the Los Angeles Dodgers and what needs to happen to turn the team around.

They also talk about the perfect game that got away for Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga when umpire Jim Joyce declared a runner safe at first base and later admitted botching the call.


“The JV Show” is produced and engineered by Jon Gold and Steven Rosenberg. Theme music by Matt Evans.

Swelling returns to Bynum’s knee

Andrew Bynum had the fluid drained from his injured right knee Monday, and less than a day later some of the fluid had returned. It was not unexpected, but it was hoped that the procedure would reduce the swelling and enable him to play with more mobility during the NBA Finals. Game 1 is Thursday night at Staples Center. Bynum participated in some, but not all of Wednesday’s practice. “I just did the fastbreak stuff today,” he said. “It felt all right. I didn’t do the half-court scrimmage. … We were just kind of hoping it wouldn’t (return),, so it would feel better. I’m used to it. I’m used to playing with it. It’s not any bigger than before, so I’m just going to go out and play.” Bynum has torn meniscus in his right knee.

Gasol won’t play in worlds

Kinda predictable story considering how many games Pau Gasol has played in the last three seasons for the Lakers and for his native Spain internationally, but here’s part of the report this morning from The Associated Press:

“Lakers center Pau Gasol says he will not help Spain defend its title at the world basketball championships because doctors say he needs a rest. Gasol says ‘present circumstances advise against my participation’ in the championship in Turkey from Aug. 29-Sept. 12. Gasol and the Lakers face the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals. Game 1 is Thursday night in Los Angeles. In a statement on his website on Tuesday, Gasol says that in a grueling NBA season in which he’s sustained the first two major muscle injuries of his career, ‘my body is calling for a temporary relief.’ Gasol helped Spain win its first world title four years ago in Japan.”