2008 NBA Finals-Game 2

Almost 60 hours had passed since game 1 of the 2008 NBA Finals ended in a Boston Celtics win. A few questions had to be asked before the beginning of game 2. Major networks had been bringing up the point of the format of 2-3-2 and the statistics surrounding losing the first 2 games of the series as the road team. Stats say that 90% of the time the road team loses the first 2 games of the series, that they go on to lose the series. Looking at how subpar the Lakers played in game 1 and still had a chance to win the game in the 4th quarter, I had no concerns about this statistic affecting the Lakers. Also, seeing how Boston has played on the road in these playoffs, they could easily go to Los Angeles and come back down 3-2 if they went on to win game 2.

So what other questions were key prior to Game 2 you ask? Well of course Paul Pierce's knee strain would be a big key for them. Would he be able to bring his leadership and 20+ points per game? Also, could the Celtics make adjustments against the Lakers pick-and-roll, as well as the pick-and-pop. Pau Gasol was able to run free throughout when the Lakers did go to that style of offense. And finally for the Celtics, could Rajon Rondo continue to play with the maturity that made the Celtics a 66 game winner during the regular season.

For the Lakers, their big question was how can they get Kobe Bryant off against the Boston Celtics defenders? After the game 1 loss Kobe pointed out that he had 2 bad games, and a bad playoff game against the Celtics. It is evident that the long armed defenders (Paul Pierce, James Posey, Ray Allen) that the Celtics have been placing on him have bothered his rhythm. So could Phil Jackson and his staff make the necessary adjustments to get switches and get Kobe Bryant in positions that he could dominate. The Laker bench was also a big question going into game 2. In game 1 they struggled to maintain, or extend the leads that the Laker starters had established. This aspect of the Lakers has been crucial to their success all season. It was key for Sasha Vujacic, Jordan Farmar, Luke Walton, and Ronny Turiaf to bring their A-games to Boston Sunday night.

1st Quarter

This an NBA Finals game so of course both teams were up for the challenge, and came out with a lot of energy. It was up and down basketball, and similar to game 1, Boston started the first 2 possessions with turnover (Perkins offensive foul, Allen throwaway). After the early jitters from Boston, bothe teams got it going offensively. Because of 2 early fouls, Vladimir Radmanovich had to leave the game, and Phil Jackson chose to put Trevor Ariza in the game. Ariza did not play a single minute in game 1, and he later was replaced by Luke Walton.

All of the Lakers were aggressive in taking the ball to the basket and not hesitating to take open shots. Luke Walton came off the bench being a driver. Paul Pierce did not look to be affected by his knee, driving and hitting open shots. This probably strengthened Laker fans belief that he was never hurt in the first place. Foul trouble would come to be an issue as it was in the first half of game 1. Kendrick Perkins picked up number 2 at 3:28, Kobe Bryant at 1:59, and Lamar Oodm at 16.8 seconds. Jordan Farmar hit a 3 at the end of the quarter to take the score to Los Angeles 22, and Boston 20.

The first quarter ended with the Lakers gathering 11 rebounds to 8 for the Celtics. Phil Jackson after game 1 said that the Lakers could not win being out rebounded like they were, they were clearly concentrating on hitting the glass. The Lakers also shot 50% to the Celtics 47.1%.

2nd Quarter

The 2nd quarter was a turning of trends compared to the 1st quarter. The only starter on the floor for either team was Ray Allen, and the Celtics took advantage of the Lakers bench as they did in game 1. Leon Powe set the tone for Boston by taking contact and getting to the foul line. In only 5 minutes of action, Powe had 8 points, and attempted 9 free throws. This swing prompted Phil Jackson to call a timeout after Paul Pierce knocked down a 3 pointer. He was forced to put Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom back in the line-up earlier than he would like.

Kobe Bryant was able to hit a couple of shots, and appeared to have it going, but it was short lived as Paul Pierce once again began playing the hero. Pierce was initiating the offense for the Celtics, getting his own shot and feeding others. Paul ended up the first half with 16 points, and 5 assists. Pau Gasol tried his best to jumpstart the Lakers by being vocal, emotional, and taking the ball to the rim and leading the Lakers with 13 points. Once again the Celts had the answer as Ray Allen and Paul Pierce knocked down back-to-back 3's. With the offensive flurry, Boston's defense picked up as well, with it seeming like they had 6 men on the court. Kobe picked up foul #3 at 1:53, and the quarter ended up Los Angeles 42, Boston 54. Rebounding was 19-17 in favor of the Lakers.

3rd Quarter

The 3rd quarter followed the same trend as the first 6 quarters of the series. The Lakers pushing and pushing, and the Celtics smacking them in the mouth. To begin the quarter the Lakers continued look uncomfortable on offense. When pressured this series, the triangle offense looks totally unrecognizable. At the 6:28 mark Los Angeles had shot 2 free throws to the Celtics 26. But the Lakers managed to make it into the penalty halfway through the quarter, the question was could the Lakers take it to the hole, and take advantage. The Celtics had an emphatic no. Kobe Bryant began hitting a few jumpers and had 8 points on 3-4 shooting, but could the Lakers get over the hump?

Leon Powe and Paul Pierce had answers for everything the Lakers tried, with Leon Powe dominating the paint, and Pierce hitting mid-range jumpers at will. The story throughout was the Lakers inability to get stops on the defensive end of the floor. From the 3:38 mark in the quarter the Celtics went on a 15-2 run to end the quarter. Lamar Odom also got his 5th foul during this stretch, a stretch in which other Lakers like Vladimir Radmanovich struggled on both ends of the floor.

4th Quarter

Leon Powe started the 4th quarter much like the rest of the game, and answered a Jordan Farmar 3-pointer, with a driving dunk. He was simply the story of the game closing with statistics of 21 points, 2 rebounds in 14:39 minutes of play, a career game to say the least. The game seemed all but over until the lakers went on a 29-9 run to close the gap to 4 at 1:03, and 2 at 38.2 seconds, but that is as close as it would get as Paul Pierce and James Posey hit 2 free throws each to close it out. Rajon Rondo chipped in huge with 16 big assists, and only 2 turnovers. Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett also chipped in with 17 apiece, and Boston was led by Pierce’s 28. The Lakers were led by Kobe Bryant’s 30 on 11-23 shooting, and 17 by Pau Gasol.

Wrap-Up

The series shifts out west to Los Angeles for game 3, and I am sure for the Lakers it is an overdue homecoming. Although down 2 games I do not believe that the Lakers have any reason to panic, seeing as how Boston has been a totally different team on the road. It is always said that it is role-players and bench players have more confidence on their home floors. Seeing how vital the Laker bench is to their success, they will be hoping for renewed energy and focus. I am finding myself questioning Phil Jackson and his substitutions, such as the insertion of Trevor Ariza during quarters 1 and 2. The Finals is not the place to get some ones feet wet.

Kobe Bryant is another issue for Los Angeles. Although he has had 24 and 30, he has struggled for these points, and has had to work very hard for these points. If you had tuned into the series against the Jazz and Spurs, his points were coming much easier. Because his points were much easier, he was able to afford the luxury of getting his teammates involved and then get his. But with the in your face defense, and double teams that Boston is sending at him, Kobe has been forced to take off balance jump shots, and running jumpers off the backboard. While these shots are impressive at the time, a star cannot live off of these for a game. He has not been able to penetrate the lane and get the customary dunks we are accustomed to seeing. Maybe sleeping in his own bed and shooting in the home gym will help Kobe and his teammates

For the Boston Celtics, all they can hope for is more of the same when they go to the Staples Center on Tuesday night. I would say the only question is can Paul Pierce keep it up, or if he doesn’t can Kevin Garnett or Ray Allen step up in his place. Also, will they feel the effects of letting the Lakers back in the game? Does the seed of doubt grow in their minds, or do they keep momentum up. I now think that game 3 is the most important game for each team. Los Angeles needs to win to show themselves that they can win against the Celtics, and statistics show that and 0-3 comeback has never happened in NBA history. For the Celtics, it is just as important to stomp on the confidence of the Lakers, and not allow them to believe in themselves. I feel that if the Lakers are fortunate to go back to Boston with 3 games under their belt, then Boston will be in trouble, but let’s just get through game 3 first, and talk about that later.