Although Phoenix were written off by many pundits after going 2-0 to the defending NBA champion Lakers, the Suns willed two victories at home to tie the series up with the Los Angeles. Amare Stoudemire and Robin Lopez gave the Suns a much needed intensity down low in Game 3, but it was Phoenix’s bench that was the star of the show in game 4. Channing Frye and Leandro Barbosa both poured in 14, while Steve Nash-protegee Goran Dragic ran the offense to perfection for a huge chunk of the fourth quarter. Suns head coach stayed with his bench until the final few minutes of the game, before putting in his well-rested starters to pull out the game. When the Suns and Lakers tip off at Staples Center tonight we shall see if Phoenix can play like they did at the US Airways Center. Kobe Bryant has played well in all four games of the series, but the superstar cannot do it all on his own. The Lakers will need Lamar Odom, Ron Artest, and Pau Gasol to play better than they did in Phoenix if they want to take the series lead.

If Boston and Los Angeles can keep up their  2-0 leads in the Eastern and Western Conference Finals, the sale of 2010 NBA Finals tickets will be huge. Kobe and the Lakers will have a chance to get vengeance for their 2008 NBA Finals loss at the hands of the Celtics. A healthy Kevin Garnett has made all the difference for the ageless Celtics. After shocking Lebron James’ Cavaliers, Boston won the first two games of their series with the Magic in Orlando. The Celts will be looking to complete the sweep of Magic at Garden in Boston. Kobe’s looked dialed in thus far in LA’s series with the Suns. In game 1, the Suns got blown out 128-107 at The Staples Center thanks to Kobe’s 40 points. Phoenix put in a better effort in Game 2, but their old problem of inability to defend the hoop down low gave LA the win. If the Lakers-Celtics prevail we will have plenty to think about. Can Kobe get revenge? Do the three amigos of Garnett, Allen, and Pierce still have it in them? I don’t have any answers for you, but what I do know is that I’ll be watching.