The NBA had one of its most exciting postseasons in 2006, with a record 10 games going to overtime. This one brings back three of its most competitive series from a year ago.
The Suns and Lakers also met in the No. 2 vs. 7 series. Los Angeles had a 3-1 lead before the Suns won the next three games, with Bryant managing only one point and three shots in the second half of Phoenix's 121-90 Game 7 rout.
"It haunted me all summer long," Lakers forward Luke Walton said. "It's not like we forgot about it. It's definitely in our heads. We have a lot of guys with a bad taste in their mouths. Hopefully, we will have a chance to redeem ourselves."
It won't be easy. The Lakers had an advantage in the middle last year. This time, Phoenix has both Amare Stoudemire and Kurt Thomas, possibly negating the interior advantage Los Angeles exploited.
"On paper, they're a better team with Stoudemire, a more powerful team," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "We just can't go inside against them like last year and change the course of the game by doing that. Stoudemire does have a presence."
The Suns' Raja Bell was suspended a game in that series for a hard foul on Bryant -- but that's nothing compared to the bad blood between Chicago and Miami.
James Posey was suspended a game for knocking Kirk Hinrich to the ground, and Udonis Haslem has been tossed twice against the Bulls in his career. The Heat think the Bulls, particularly Hinrich, are too aggressive against Dwyane Wade, and Chicago surely will want to test Wade's sore shoulder and knee.
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2020-09-15
2020-09-15
2020-09-15
2020-09-15
2020-09-15
2020-09-15