1st Quarter
The game started out much like games 1 and 2, but with one major difference, the Los Angeles Lakers looked like a totally different team. Gone were the blank stares, and aimless running around on offense and defense. The Lakers stepped on the floor with a purpose, and what seemed like a will to change what they had neglected to do in the first 2 games.
They started by driving the ball to the paint on a consistent basis. Derek Fisher, Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom, and Pau Gasol all took the ball to the basket early, none of them finished at the rim, but the aggressiveness was there. But there was one trend for the Lakers that followed them to game 3, and that was silly fouls early in the game. Vladimir Radmanovich gathered his 3rd foul at the 2:29 mark. That uncomfortable look that Los Angeles had to them was gone, and the friendly confines of the Staples Center had the team looking like all would be well.
After game 2 there was a huge uproar about the foul disparity of 10 for the Lakers, and 38 for the Celtics. I truly believed that the Lakers has no one to blame but themselves for not going to the paint strong. In this game, Kobe Bryant led the charge to the free throw line with 6 early attempts. Although Boston seemed to be complacent, they hung in the first quarter and the score ended up tie at 20 apiece. Rajon Rondo led the Celtics with 6 points on 3-5 shooting, and 3 assists. Kobe Bryant paced the Lakers with 11 points on 3-7 field goal shooting, and 5-8 at the line.
2nd Quarter
Continuing the trend of stupid and unnecessary fouls, Lamar Odom received his 3rd foul 23 seconds into the quarter. One inspirational sign for the Lakers was that their bench actually showed up to play, which is usually the case with role players. Jordan Farmar stepped up with 5 points, and even brought a little feistiness during an altercation following a tie-up with PJ Brown. Sasha “The Machine” Vujacic was more than big with 12 points on 4-5 shooting. It was not the amount of points he had, it was when he got them.
For the Boston Celtics Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett failed to show up in the first half of the game. Paul Pierce had 0 points on 0-4 shooting, he was virtually invisible as he was disappeared on the floor. He was not rebounding or getting his teammates involved, and would have been better served on the bench. Kevin Garnett was showing some effort but could not get the stroke going whatsoever. He shot 1-9 in the first half for 2 points. The lone bright spot for the Celtics was Ray Allen who had 12 points and was 3-3 from behind the 3-point line. He hit key shot after key shot as he kept his team in the game.
Pau Gasol continued his struggles in this series as he continued to make weak moves, soft attempts at the basket, and just look lost. He is just not displaying his multi faceted game that we have come to see in the playoffs. The length of Kevin Garnett, and Kendrick Perkins have bothered him and made it difficult for Gasol to get clean shots off. The 2nd quarter ended with Los Angeles leading 43-37. Kobe Bryant had 19 points on 6-10 shooting from the field, and 7-12 free throws.
3rd Quarter
During the halftime analysis on ABC Laker great Jerry West stated that the game was anybodies to win, and that as much as it looked as if the Lakers had dominated the Celtics were right there with a chance to take it. During games 1 and 2 it seemed as if Kobe Bryant would get his game rolling after hitting a few shots, but it always tapered off into a drought. This game was very different, he was in control and aggressive throughout.
Ray Allen also kept it rolling in the second half with 16 points. Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce still seemed invisible as the quarter passed on without either one being a force. Later in the 3rd, the Celtics began to get it going as Eddie House hit a 3 to cut the Lakers lead to 2 points at 47-49. At this point Kevin Garnett tried to get it rolling by going to the post on Gasol, and he ended up with7 point in the quarter. At 4:58 left in the quarter Paul Pierce picked up his third foul. Pau Gasol got his first field goal with 53 seconds left in the 3rd quarter. The quarter ended up with Boston taking a 2 point lead 62-60.
4th Quarter
Sasha Vujacic continued his trend of hitting big shots in this game, he and Ray Allen exchanged 3 pointers to begin the quarter. Both teams exchange buckets with no team able to gain control. Paul Pierce picked up his 5th foul with 8:56 to go in the game. The Lakers began to execute on the offensive end of the floor. Lamar Odom Began to take the ball to the rim and Pau Gasol cleaned up his misses. It was just as important that he was drawing multiple defenders and leaving the lane wide open to rebound.
Vujacic hit a late 3 after missing one the prior possession and catching a lip full from Kobe Bryant. It simply came down to the Lakers executing, and forcing their will upon their came when they had to. Another major contributing factor to the Lakers win were the struggles by 2 of the “Big 3.” Ray Allen had 25 points(8-13 FG), Kevin Garnett ended with 13 points(6-21 FG), and Paul Pierce had a dismal 6 points(2-14 FG).
It can be concluded that the Celtics really need Paul Pierce to lead them into battle. Tonight he was a pedestrian, and he did not do anything close to what he achieved in the first two games. The Celtics got nothing from the bench led by Leon Powe that willed them to the game 2 win. It is hard to determine by the way the game was played, if the Celtics lost it, or the Lakers won it, it was quite possibly both of those factors.
In my eyes Game 4 will be the biggest game of the series for both teams. If the Lakers go on to win the game, the series is started again. They will be even with the Celtics, with a home game right behind that. I find it hard to believe that the Lakers cannot win 1 game in Boston. Conversely, if the Celtics win game 4 they will have 3 opportunities to win 1 game. And knowing how LA struggled in Boston, they should have the confidence to know they wouldn't be in uncharted waters. Game 3 is Thursday night at 9 E.S.T. on ABC.
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