Maybe the Lakers aren't very good. How else can you explain their 95-80 loss to the Houston Rockets Thursday night. The Rockets have forced a Game 7 on Sunday at Staples Center in Los Angeles, a feat that from Phil Jackson's mountain top to David Stern's office no one expected. Especially since the Rockets are without Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, both sidelined with injuries.
The Lakers are looking less like the team that went to the NBA finals last season to more like the squad that lost in the first round two years ago. They are still a one-man team and the Rockets' defense has shown in can give Kobe Bryant his 30+ points and still win.
There will be no joy in the director suites of the NBA and ABC television if the Lakers and Celtics don't advance to their respective conference finals.
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The Dodgers are in Florida for a weekend series with the Marlins after taking two out of three games from the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Dodgers showed that good pitching, aggressive base running and defense can win games, especially without Manny Ramirez, who is in his second week of suspension. There is a chance the Dodgers, who are in first place in the National League West, may receive a formal visit from Ramirez while they are in Miami, but probably not. It is more likely that he will address his teammates when the club goes to Arizona to play the Diamondbacks. It is expected that Ramirez will work out at the Dodgers spring training facility while he serves his 50-game fine.
Add Ramirez: It's being reported that he met with his Dodger teammates at their hotel today in Miami. It was noted last week that Ramirez can work out at the ballpark during his suspension, as long as the gates aren't open to the public.
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The Preakness, the second leg of Thoroughbred racing's Triple Crown, will be run at Pimlico Racetrack Saturday, and while Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird is getting a fair amount of attention, a dazzling filly is stealing the spotlight from the other entries. She would be Rachel Alexandra, who won the Kentucky Oaks the day before the Derby at Churchill Downs, and will be ridden by Calvin Borel, who was up on Mine That Bird in the Run for the Roses.
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