Got news?   tips@destructoid.com  |  Never miss a story:   RSS + Twitter + YouTube
Hey! New here? Destructoid is a gaming discussion community, updated nearly every 20 minutes. Make a quick avatar to comment and enter our contests. Take the tour!

 


Home EA Sports updates

New screens of NBA Live 09, along with a prediction for the Finals

3:21 PM on 06.05.2008, Samit Sarkar 15 comments

New screens of NBA Live 09, along with a prediction for the Finals photo
     EA Sports

The Lakers-Celtics rivalry is one of the most hotly contested ones in basketball history, and though it has been relatively cool since Larry Bird and Magic Johnson (see image above) retired in the early ’90s, it’s about to heat up once again as the teams face off tonight in Game 1 of the 2008 NBA Finals (9 PM ET, ABC). I mean, hey, now that LOST is over, you’re not doing anything with your Thursday night, right?

Just like they predict Super Bowls with Madden games, EA has simulated this year’s Finals using NBA Live 09. The videogame has sure come up with one doozy of a series. The Celtics took Game 1, while the Lakers won Games 2 and 3; after the Celtics tied the series in Game 4, the Lakers went up 3-2 in Game 5. The Celtics were able to force a Game 7 with a thrilling buzzer-beating win in Game 6, but all their effort was for naught; the Lakers were victorious in the end.

Of course, it turned out that EA was wrong when they picked the Patriots over my Giants in this year’s Super Bowl, so you might want to take this with a grain of salt before giving your bookie a call. Either way, EA sent over a screenshot from each of the series’ seven games along with the press release (after the jump). NBA Live 09 will be out on October 7th, which makes you think -- how’d they even do this when the game’s not close to being done?

EA SPORTS NBA LIVE 09 SIMULATION PREDICTS LAKERS WILL WIN 2008 NBA FINALS

EA SPORTS™ NBA LIVE 09 has predicted that the Lakers will capture their 15th NBA Championship by defeating the Celtics in the 2008 NBA Finals simulation. In a historic matchup that was last seen 21 years ago, the series lived up to its billing in a seven-game thriller. It was NBA Finals MVP Kobe Bryant who led the charge, averaging 29 points and 6 assists per game throughout the series. With this victory, Phil Jackson set a new record by winning 10 NBA Championships as a coach. The Finals tip off this Thursday at 9PM EDT on ABC. NBA LIVE 09 will be in stores on October 7, 2008.

Game 1: Celtics strike first over Lakers, 105-99

Point Leaders
Kevin Garnett - 20 Points, 9 Rebounds, 4 Blocks
Kobe Bryant - 25 Points, 10 Rebounds, 7 Assists

Field Goal Percentage
Bos – 47%
LA – 45%

Recap – The Fleet Center erupts after an exciting Game 1 of the NBA playoffs. Kevin Garnett leads his team in scoring and offensive rebounds. Also a monster on the defensive side of the ball, Garnett’s blocking rampage is reminiscent of the Bill Russell era.

Game 2: Lakers quiet Celtic fans at Fleet Center, winning 96-90

Point Leaders
Paul Pierce - 24 Points, 9 Assists
Kobe Bryant - 30 Points, 4 Three-pointers

Field Goal Percentage
Bos – 47%
LA – 47%

Recap – An uncontested Kobe Bryant slam dunk sets the tone early in the first quarter. Kobe and the Lakers never relinquish the lead resulting in a 6-point victory and more importantly, a split of the first two games in Boston.

Game 3: Lakers dominate at home, 109-101

Point Leaders
Paul Pierce - 23 Points, 4 Steals
Kobe Bryant - 36 Points, 9 Rebounds, 10 Assists

Field Goal Percentage
Bos – 46%
LA – 40%

Recap – Paul Pierce has a big game but doesn’t match up to Kobe’s near triple-double performance. Kobe’s dazzling dunk rejuvenates the Lakers and the fans at the Staples Center. The momentum shifts towards the Lakers after taking Game 3.

Game 4: Celtics come back to win 91-88 over Lakers

Point Leaders
Ray Allen - 29 Points, 6 Three-pointers, 4 Assists
Pau Gasol - 19 Points, 14 Rebounds, 3 Blocks

Field Goal Percentage
Bos – 49%
LA – 44%

Recap – Ray Allen leads the Celtics to an important victory in the Staples Center. Allen’s strong perimeter play gives the Celtics a strong lead early in the 4th quarter and ties up the series.

Game 5: LA leads series by winning Game 5, 95-92

Point Leaders
Kevin Garnett - 21 Points, 10 Rebounds, 4 Blocks
Pau Gasol - 25 Points, 12 Rebounds, 5 Blocks

Field Goal Percentage
Bos – 47%
LA – 50%

Recap – The battle in the paint is the focus for much of Game 5. Rebounding is the key to the Lakers victory. Gasol outrebounds Celtic muscle-man Kendrick Perkins. Gasol also takes a page from Garnett’s Game 1 performance by blocking five shots, and keeps his number one rank as the leading shot blocker in the 2008 NBA Playoffs.

Game 6: Celtics force Game 7, 98-97

Point Leaders
Paul Pierce - 28 Points, 6 Steals, 8 Assists
Kobe Bryant - 28 Points, 8 Rebounds, 6 Assists

Field Goal Percentage
Bos – 46%
LA – 44%

Recap – The Celtics, led by a strong performance from Paul Pierce, overcome the Lakers to force a Game 7. Pierce goes shot for shot with Bryant, tying him in points, and rounds out his game with four defensive steals.

Game 7: Lakers win NBA Championship, 106-101

Point Leaders
Kevin Garnett - 29 Points, 7 Blocks, 10 Rebounds
Kobe Bryant - 38 Points, 10 Rebounds, 11 Assists

Field Goal Percentage
Bos – 48%
LA – 51%

Recap – The Lakers win their 15 NBA Finals Championship. After a quiet first half, Kobe scores 29 of his 38 points in the second half in an astounding triple-double performance, cementing himself as this year’s NBA Finals MVP. The Lakers beat the Celtics in the NBA Finals for the third time in a row. The lifelong rivalry now stands at 10 - 3 in Boston’s favor.


LAUNCH GALLERY (7 IMAGES)
Photo Photo Photo Photo Photo Photo Photo
 

Next page: More EA Sports stories




Samit Sarkar's Avatar
Samit Sarkar at 06/05/2008 15:30
@The Wrath: It looks like it, but no. They’re standing next to each other while someone else is shooting a free throw. You can check out the full image here.
brainderailment's Avatar
brainderailment at 06/05/2008 15:30
Awww they're holding hands.
vishusdelishus's Avatar
vishusdelishus at 06/05/2008 15:32
...and I'm an Eastern Conference fool! I should be cheering for the Celtics!

Next year is all about the raptors and the knicks!!

I only wish that were true...*sniff*
NotAZombie's Avatar
NotAZombie at 06/05/2008 16:01
@ vish

Keep dreaming about those Knicks. I agree about the Lakers though. Cleveland should have beaten Boston making it a nul point though.
vishusdelishus's Avatar
vishusdelishus at 06/05/2008 16:13
@notazombi

With D'Antoni running the Knicks things should start to get better..but ya you're right haha.

...but I'm going to keep dreaming about the raps and nobody can stop me!
robestyles's Avatar
robestyles at 06/05/2008 16:44
N-E-T-S NETS NETS NETS.
Samit Sarkar's Avatar
Samit Sarkar at 06/05/2008 16:47
@The Wrath: Dang it. This should work.
TrailerParkJesus's Avatar
TrailerParkJesus at 06/05/2008 22:11
I need a good b-ball sim. Let this be it.

Oh, and the Eastern Conference is a joke.
BADInc's Avatar
BADInc at 06/06/2008 00:02
No one is showing the Celtics any love, i think ray allen is gonna come up big in this series, and i think rondo is gonna be the x-factor. And how can you say they have no bench, when they have sam cassell to back up rondo and then posey to rain down some threes
bmdubya's Avatar
bmdubya at 06/06/2008 00:22
Screw NBA Live, where are my FIFA '09 screens?
Kryptinite's Avatar
Kryptinite at 06/06/2008 06:19
I hope the Celtics win but..yeah.
prev next

Returning Dtoiders: login now to post a comment

Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just Create an avatar now - it's fast and free: PLUS you also get your own gaming blog and begin posting stories and uploading videos in our open community area that may also appear on our home page. Sign up and we'll guide you through it, it's easy and 100% anonymous.




 Original Videos

 Reviews
Mad Dog McCree Gunslinger Pack
Overlord II
Yosumin Live!
Let's Tap
Ghostbusters: The Video Game (Wii)
View all Game Reviews

 Community blogs -   39703 Dtoiders!

This month's theme: Untapped Potential

New to Dtoid? Read the survival guide


 Originals

Retroforce Recap: so what about those dirty games, now?











more original Destructoid stories



 Popular now more













Destructoid is:
Nick Chester
Editor-in-Chief
Jim Sterling
Reviews Editor
Dale North
News Editor
Hamza Aziz
Community Manager
Anthony Burch
Features Editor
Rey Gutierrez
Video editor & director
Niero
Founder, publisher
Letters to the editors
tips@destructoid.com
Associate Editors
Ashley Davis Jonathan Holmes
Brad Nicholson Jonathan Ross
Brad Rice Jordan Devore
Chad Concelmo Matthew Razak
Colette Bennett Tom Fronczak
Conrad Zimmerman Topher Cantler
Dyson Samit Sarkar
Contributors
Adam Dork
Ben Perlee
Daniel Lingen
Joseph Leray
Joe Burling
Mikey
Will Maddock
Stella Wong




get involved

register or login
post a blog
post a forum
enter a contest
discuss a review
contribute a news tip
write a guest editorial
support

new member's guide
login assistance
tech support
report abuse
email our editors
read our dev blog
nuclear crisis?
keep in touch

RSS feed
Twitter
Facebook
Myspace
Flickr
Game nights
Meet-ups
seriously

about us
advertising
terms of use
privacy policy
jobs at MM
buy our crap
our network

Tomopop
Japanator




Destructoid is an independently-run publication forged by our love of video games and the gaming community's need of accountable enthusiast press
living the dream since March 16, 2006