There has been so much hype surrounding a possible Kobe vs. Lebron finals that at this point the NBA and ABC will be losing millions of dollars if it doesn’t work out that way. The viewing audience for a Lakers/Cavs finals would at least be double what they’d get from any other combo (probably triple what a contest between the two 2-seeds would produce) and a result the advertising dollars would be at least double. We’re looking at millions of dollars difference between a Lakers/Cavs series as opposed to a Magic/Nuggets one.
I hate to say but this Lakers/Nuggets series, so far, has gone exactly like the Houston series with the Lakers showing up for every other game. I hope this means we’ll see another 40 point blow-out again in game 5 tonight but I seriously doubt it. The Nuggets have played hard in every game this post season while making great in-game adjustments. It truly would not surprise me to see Denver sneak one in LA again tonight, taking a 3-2 lead back home to Denver for game 6. Then ABC execs will truly be crapping their pants; with the Lakers down 3-2 and the Cavs down 3-1.
I suspect that the Cavs will win game 5 at home but I’m not so sure about game 6 in Orlando on Saturday night. Unlike Kobe, Lebron just does not have any help.
What will be interesting to observe is whether or not that Lakers and Cavs start getting a lot of questionable and favorable calls the rest of the way…