The Celtics are now the physical team. The Lakers are getting out-bodied. Kobe is upset and whining, while Pierce is calm, cool, and collective. After Sunday night's 92-86 victory at the Garden the Celtics are heading back to LA in the driver's seat to win their 18th title in franchise history.
The Celtics dominated the Lakers for three quarters, even holding off Kobe's 19 straight points in the 3rd and going into the 4th with an eight point lead. Kobe scored 38, but the rest of the team only saw one other player in double figures and they collected only 12 assists as a team, compared to the Celtics 21. The men in green even out-rebounded the Lakers again 35-34.
I said before the game, if Bynum is able to play well the Celtics lose. It's true, if Bynum is able to play well they will lose. Bynum came out early and looked like he was ready to play, but he eventually began limping and it affected his play. In 31 minutes he grabbed just one rebound.
Paul Pierce had a great shooting night and scored 27 points. He even helped bury the Lakers 4th quarter comeback by a cross court pass to a sprinting Rondo while he was falling out of bounds. Garnett manhandled Pau Gasol beneath the basket, something that hadn't been seen in the first three games of the series. He made me eat my words of thinking he may be done. Not yet. Not while he's this close to a championship.
So the Lakers are licking their wounds on the long flight back to LA. The Celtics head into the Staples Center full steam ahead with a 3-2 series lead.
Phil Jackson said after the game, "We're going back home to win it, that's the way it's supposed to be. Isn't it?"
The Celtics will see you in LA Phil!
Hell yea! The Celtics are in the driver's seat and they're taking this series. While I do agree with your point about Bynum, it should be noted that his best statistical game of this series was game two, a Lakers loss. So I think when Bynum plays well it is TOUGHER for Boston to win, but he isn't the biggest factor. I think the Laker defense is. Last night Boston was scoring at will!
ReplyDeleteI agree the Lakers defense has to perform well, but without a healthy Bynum the Celtics are driving the lane at will. I agree that Bynums best game came in a game 2 loss, but lets not forget Ray Allen scored 32 points and shot a record number of 3 pointers which is the reason the Celtics won that game. After watching the last two games though I can't imagine Bynum's going to have a game close Game 2 again. Thank's for the comment.
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