The Boston sports scene: Highs and Lows of the last 24 hours

Just 24 hours ago, the city of Boston reveled in victory as their Celtics defeated the hapless Cavaliers at the TD Garden. They were loud and proud which was something that was not seen for most of the season. In fact, they stuck it to the self-loathing Cleveland Cavalier fans by chanting "New York Knicks! New York Knicks!", as soon-to-be free agent Lebron James was attempting free throws.

After a night of partying, the scene then focused on a hockey game as the Boston Bruins took on the Philadelphia Flyers at the TD Garden. Believe it or not, the Bruins were up 3-0 in the series and were ready to sweep them. Yet, in typical Bruins fashion they lost in overtime on the same night Lebron put what might be one of the greatest basketball performances in a Cavalier uniform.

Over the next few days, the Flyers steamrolled the Bruins 6-1 over the last two games to tie the series up at three apiece. For the Bruin fans, there was a feeling of "here we go again" as this team over the past few years has literally pooped in the bed. Just last year, the Bruins lost in overtime against the Carolina Hurricanes on their home ice. As for Flyers fans, they were hoping to do something that had never been done in 35 years - to come back from a 3-0 deficit.

In the first period, the Bruins played like their former dominant selves as they jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the first period. It made you think that the Bruins had gotten their wake up call and were ready to administer their own version of the Boston Massacre. Unfortunately, it would not last as the Flyers came back with a vengeance by scoring three unanswered goals as well as two goals within 6 minutes of each other.

Suddenly, the once boisterous Bruins crowd was as tight as the Cavalier fans were in Game 5 of the NBA playoffs. Bruins fans were suddenly thinking back to the painful memories of yesteryear of their team coming up short time after time. The Bruins knew it and the Flyers were ready to go for the kill.

In the third period, Simon Gagne of the Philadephia Flyers scored the game-winner at 12:43 of the third period. That goal put the cherry on top of one of the biggest collapses in NHL history. The Boston fans were shell shocked as just 24 hours before they were partying at a Celtics victory. Now, they were left to pick up the pieces of another memorable moment of infamous proportions. Instead, of advancing to face their long time nemesis Montreal Canadians they will now face another summer of what could have been.

As for the Philadelphia Flyers, they became the third team to come back from a 3-0 deficit where only two teams (1942 Toronto Maple Leafs and the 1975 New York Islanders) have come back from such a deficit. It's amazing how sports fortunes can turn in the blink of an eye. I guess the karmic forces in the sporting world did not look too kindly upon the New York chants for Lebron James. Funny how the Boston sport fans got left with a situation of Faustian proportions.

Game 1: Celtics Pride rules the Magic Kingdom

For six games, the Celtics fought and clawed their way to victory against the supposedly superior Cleveland Cavaliers. They made King James and the Cavs look like paper champions rather than a team ready to rule the NBA throne. Yet, the question was if the seasoned Celtics had enough to beat the Orlando Magic juggernaut.

Tonight, the Celtics answered that question for one game by dominating and intimidating the Magic. They shut down Howard and forced the entire Magic team to try and beat them. Unfortunately, the Magic didn't pull it off. Yet, they came close with a valiant rally in the 4th Quarter despite the fact that the game was seemingly well in hand.

Dwight Howard AKA Superman was rendered powerless by the Celtics big men as they kept him out of his comfort zone. He scored a double double but it felt rather pedestrian as he committed seven turnovers. His free throw shooting was his kryptonite and it was felt by the entire Orlando team in the third quarter. The Celtics frustrated him and it showed as even Rasheed Wallace got under Dwight's skin and they were both assessed a double technical. His defense was subpar as he let Glen Davis get by with two big lay-ins in the final quarter. In fact, I wonder if we saw Clark Kent rather than Superman for most of the entire game?

The Magic had a big game from Vince Carter who scored 23 points and Jameer Nelson who chipped in 20 points as well as a clutch tip-in the in final minute. JJ Reddick played extremely well as he helped lead the final push for the Magic in the final quarter. He made smart passes and timely baskets to keep the Celtics honest whenever they covered Howard with a saran-wrap defense. Marcin Gortat played well in limited minutes and it was no coincidence that the Magic offense ran smoothly with him as they got the Celtic lead down to nine in the second quarter. Coincidentally, it was when Howard sat on the bench with 2 fouls.

Unfortunately for the Magic, Rashard Lewis did not come to play as he was M.I.A for most of the game and missed a big 3 that would have brought the Magic to within 2 in the final minute. He was 0-6 from downtown. The entire Magic team was 5-22 from a three point distance, which was another reason for their loss on Sunday.

As for the Celtics, the Big 4 came to play yet again. Rondo was his brilliant self as he weaved through the Magic defense for assist after assist. Ray Allen came to play as he punished the Magic for leaving him open by scoring 25 points. He was calm and collected as he calmly converted two free throws in the final moments. Allen was spry as he outran the Magic by scoring on lay-ins through cuts. Paul Pierce was his usual self, as he got to the line and knocked down big free throws in the final minute of what was once an insurmountable lead. He scored 22 points and looked seemingly refreshed.

The Celtic supporting cast of Tony Allen, Kendrick Perkins, Glen Davis and Rasheed Wallace made huge contributions as well as their timely baskets. Tony Allen disrupted the passing lanes of the Orlando Magic for easy transition baskets. The Kendrick Perkins, Rasheed Wallace and Glen Davis tag team disrupted Dwight Howard's offensive flow. Kendrick Perkins set the tone by making Howard work for his points early on and relished in doing the dirty deed. Rasheed made his open looks and scored 13 points. Glen Davis did his part and made Howard pay for dozing off for just a minute on defense.

Now, the Magic must make the necessary adjustments for Game 2. They must find a way to get Howard involved and convert their three point shots. For the Magic, the real post-season begins and we shall see if this team can respond to their first loss of the post-season or if the Celtics will make them disappear till next season.

Game 6: The Summer of Uncertainty Begins

After Game 5, the question was how the Cavaliers and their fearless leader, Lebron James, would respond in the boisterous environment that is the TD Garden. Every pundit and writer talked about how the Cavaliers were done. Tonight, they were vindicated as the Cavaliers not only lost but quit in the final minutes of the pivotal Game 6.

Lebron had an uneven game despite having a triple double. Yet, he forced 9 turnovers and looked timid as the game wore on. He showed brief flashes of Classic Lebron but they were few and far between. Lebron appeared timid and picked his spots to attack. I have never seen Lebron play like this and yet I have to wonder how many games will it take to harden Lebron into a crunch time killer and multiple NBA Champion. I thought the losses to Orlando last year as well the Celtics series the year before that would do it. Now, I am not so sure. I guess despite his prowess, he may never be Michael Jordan.

Yet, he can learn from another great player who like him played terribly in a pivotal game and was labeled a choker all summer. The very next season he came back and tamed the demons of the year before as well as many others. That player was Magic Johnson who in 1984 forced unnecessary turnovers in a pivotal Game 7 against the Celtics. Yet, he redeemed himself the very next season and made the most famous shot just two years later.

Mo Williams had a good half but he along with the Cavaliers were busy baking a baker's dozen of turnover, which the Celtics eagerly chowed down for easy baskets and back breaking three pointers. The Cavaliers missed many free throws, which were most notably by Shaq, Lebron and Mo Williams. Anderson Varajao came to play early by taking charges but was never heard from after the 1st half.

The Cavalier supporting cast was unreliable as Antawn Jamison proved how much of a bust he was in this series. KG had his way on Jamison in the post and scored any day or night of his choosing. Jamison could never make the big 3 which could have breathed life into the Cavaliers but instead drove home another nail in the coffin of the Cavalier season. To add insult to injury, his team did not even foul in the final minute as they resigned themselves to a summer of uncertainty and disappointment.

As for the Rejuvenated Celtics, the Big 4 came to play as KG, Allen, Rondo and timely baskets by Paul Pierce in the third quarter nailed the coffin in what could be Lebron James' final game for Cleveland. Rajon Rondo was brilliant as usual as he slipped through Cavalier frontline as if they were huge red pylons. Kevin Garnett had a big game and had 22 points which is the first time since the 2008 Finals that he had more than 20 points in a game.

The Celtics got timely bench play as Tony Allen played solid defense as well as a highlight dunk that would make Michael Jordan proud before the half. Rasheed Wallace came up with timely three pointers and played like the player that the Celtics envisioned last summer. Together, they outscored the Cavaliers bench 23-13. Credit Doc Rivers and Tom Thibodeau for their suffocating defense on King James and forcing his teammates to win the game. Unfortunately, they fell under pressure and spotlight of the NBA Playoffs.

Now, we will witness the biggest Summer in NBA History as Lebron will be highly sought after along with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. He is currently without a ring but that will not stop many teams to try and pry him away from Cleveland. From July 1, start spreading the news as Lebron might be heading to a city with a treasure chest of cap space near you.

Tiger Woods: Finest Hour or the Final Nail on his Golf Career

On April 8th, 2010, the world's eyes will descend on Augusta, GA. It will be an event unlike any other because it will be Tiger Wood's first tournament since his embarrassing sex scandal just 5 months this coming April. Every move Tiger Woods makes will be watched and analyzed like never before.

Golf pundits will analyze his game comparing every nitpick of his golf swing, putting and demeanor. We will know whether the scandal has crippled his game. Fans on either side of the divide could witness a shell of man that was broken and embarrassed on a Global stage. We could see how a once great golfer become a depressing tale that will be shown on ESPN or any sports network story in 15-20 years.

On the other hand, the World will witness a man whose maniacal desire to win transcends all of his personal problems. It could potentially become yet another legendary story to an already illustrious career that many of us will tell to our grandchildren for the next 50 years. His fans could cheer to the heavens while his detractors slowly weep in the fringes.

Everyone will be watching from here to Vladivostok starting on April 8th.