Last Week's Best: The Top Five Games (6/9-6/15)

It seems the Celtics have nowhere to go but up, and the Lakers showed Sunday night that they have large defensive issues that need to be tackled in a day’s time. Thus, few analysts—if any—are picking L.A. to even extend the series to seven games.

But there is hope for the Lakers.

In the words of Michael Wilbon, “you don’t give a team extra outs.” Translation: Kobe Bryant, the best basketball player in the world, has still yet to go off in this series, and the Celtics haven’t finished the Lakers off.

If Kobe can take over the next two games, there’s a chance all of the Lakers’ flaws won’t matter.

4. MLB: Mets 5, Diamondbacks 3 (6/11).

It could have been a banner night in the New York Mets’ season, perhaps the start of a turnaround.

Through eight innings, the Mets led Arizona, 3-0. Young pitcher Mike Pelfrey had out-dueled Brandon Webb (albeit not by much—the game’s sole runs at the time were the result of a rally that began with consecutive singles that did not go further than the pitcher’s mound) and took the hill in the top of the ninth to the sound of Shea Stadium chanting his name.

Then, everything went downhill. Quickly.

Pelfrey allowed a Stephen Drew single to lead off the inning, and New York manager Willie Randolph emerged from the dugout, summoning closer Billy Wagner to a chorus of boos.

Wagner looked like he would redeem his boss, recording the first two outs of the ninth while only allowing one hit. His fastball at peak velocity, Wagner was simply overpowering hitters, getting two quick strikeouts and well on his way to making Arizona third baseman Mark Reynolds his third victim.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?