Number 17

The Celtics. AHHHHH YES!!

Championship number 17 is within smelling distance. In a best of seven series, my Celts are up 2 games to none on their arch-rival L.A. Lakers.

With games 3, 4, & 5 in L.A., the Celts need to realistically win one of those to bring the series back to Boston for a final game 6 and/or 7.

Tonight's game 3 is a virtual-lock for the Lakers. They will get all the foul calls, and the officials will give them every chance to win.

The NBA still has problems that, i say again, Commissioner David Stern has done a masterful job of covering-up and/or dismissing outright.

Another problem I see is the policy of paying the playoff referees by the game instead of a lump sum for that particular round. This policy puts in motion a psychological deference by officials to ensure the playoffs last as long as possible because the more games played, the more money they potentially can make.

And with all the gambling these officials have apparently been doing (which was NOT disputed but even admitted to by Stern) must mean they are not making as much money as they'd like (even though they are fairly well paid)...which only exacerbates this conflict of interest come playoff basketball time.

Nonetheless, I give this game to the Lakers tonight, but my Celts will win the NBA Championship in 6 games.