Jill Painter: June 2009 Archives

The Lakers receptionist has a new greeting for callers ... ``World Champion Lakers.'' The Lakers undoubtedly won't waste any time marketing their 15th NBA title.

Last night's overtime game between the Lakers and Magic was the first overtime game in the NBA Finals since Game 5 between Miami and Dallas in 2006. Miami won behind Dwayne Wade's 43 points.

Only three teams have ever come back from an 0-2 deficit to win the NBA Finals. In 1969, Boston rallied to beat the Lakers and in 1977, Portland rallied to to beat Philadelphia. In 2006, the Miami Heat was down 0-2 before coming back to beat Dallas.

Derek Fisher came up big late in the game tonight, especially with a steal he got against J.J. Redick with 1:56 left in overtime.
He drove the lane with 5:27 left in regulation, split two defenders and made a layup to tie the game at 77. He had the assist on Pau Gasol's layup that tied the score at 88 with 33 seconds left and insured the Lakers would get to overtime. There was the Redick steal and the ensuing free throws. And then with 26 seconds left, Fisher caught the inbounds pass and brought the ball up the floor and got it to Lamar Odom, who was fouled and made two free throws in the bonus situation.

Tiger Woods is always spotted at Orlando Magic games, but he grew up a Lakers fan in Cypress. So whose his pick? He's on the fence. Here's what he said in his newsletter that just came out today:
``I'm really torn about the NBA finals,'' Woods wrote. ``I grew up a die-hard Los Angeles Lakers fan but have season tickets to Orlando Magic games. Hopefully, it will be a great series.''