Celtics-Lakers Game 4 Preview

There are a few reasons for Celtics fans to be weary of tonight's game. For starters, Kobe Bryant has yet to have a deadly shooting night (although much of that has to do with the Celtic defense). Next, the Lakers aren't getting any shorter and shot-blocking will continue to be an issue. The black hole that is Kedrick Perkins' offensive game, which was pointed out by the great Peter May today, is something that the Celtics will have to deal with as well.

With those factors in mind, I can't see this team losing tonight. This isn't even me being a homer because I think the remainder of the series is still in serious jeopardy. However, losing tonight would give the Lakers a 3-1 advantage and pave the road for a quick exit from the 2010 Finals for Boston. After watching the past month of basketball from this team, I hardly see them going out with a whimper.

My reasoning? Right here:

-Paul Pierce hasn't lost the art of the jump shot overnight. His shooting will be back tonight.

-Despite falling into a 17-point hole and never fully recovering from it, I really thought the Celtics played great defense in Game 3. It was a matter of offensive ineptitude rather than lack of defense. I assure you that more shots will fall tonight.

-Kevin Garnett's resurgence will carry over to Game 4.Cedric Maxwell was right about the fact that KG's recent problems have revolved around his head, not any sort of injury. Now that he know he has the ability to take Pau Gasol to the hole at will, it opens a lot up for this Celtic offense.

-Rajon Rondo is pissed about Derek Fisher did in the fourth quarter in Game 3, even if he wasn't directly involved in all of Fisher's scoring. Rondo should and will take issue with a 35-year-old point guard dominating his team in the most crucial moments of a Finals game. There won't be a second half disappearing act from Rondo this time.

-The Celtic bench was good (Glen Davis with 12 points) but can be so much better if Rasheed Wallace can integrate himself into the game without picking up quick fouls.

I have no clue how the rest of this series will play out but I know this team will not lay down tonight. Celtics 100 -- Lakers 92.

Or I Could Have Just Watched From My Couch

What a game, what a moment, what a memory.

This season has been such a renaissance for me and my appreciation for local sports. I guess that's what happens when you win a couple World Series' and a few Lombardi trophies but god damn has it all seemed so simple, so routine. That is until tonight.

Was there ever a question I would venture downtown and enjoy this experience with a few thousand fellow green hats? (And yes, that is what I found. Many, many green hats...very few legitimate fans but its all good) Prior to this season I could not have told you when and if I would get to witness #17. No fucking chance I was missing it actually happen couped up in my apartment.

Despite the whole work in the morning thing, I have no regrets. Sure, I'm covered in cheap champagne which I will probably be licking off my watch first thing in the morning. And sure, I saw some real white trash, scum bag, Lynn residents defacing Red Auerbach's statue while completely ignoring Larry Legand's sneakers 18 inches away. But at the end of the day, I witnessed the first title won in the city of Boston since 1986 and I could not be happier.

Or you know, I could have just watched it while sitting on the couch.

Lakers 87, Celtics 81... LA=Lucky Assholes

Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett each had their worst games of the playoffs, Kobe Bryant exploded for 36 points, and Sasha Vujacic came off the bench with 20. Yet the Lakers only beat the Celtics 87-81. As far as game 3 losses in the NBA Finals, this one ain't so bad.

I'll ease up a bit from my sensationalist headline. The Lakers weren't lucky, they were the better team last night. I'm not Phil Jackson, I won't make excuses. The refs had a solid game too, so no complaints there.

So what went wrong for the Celtics? For starters, Pierce had an atrocious night. He was 2 of 14 for 6 points. He got in foul trouble early. He turned the ball over. His passes lacked crispness, and sometimes lacked sense.



Kevin Garnett didn't look sharp either. He was 6 for 21 with only 21 points.

Ray Allen was on fire, though, nailing 5 three pointers in 5 attempts. He led the Celtics with 25 points.

Rajon Rondo's departure due to an ankle sprain hurt the Celtics a great deal. Although Eddie House played well in Rondo's absence, when Rajon returned, the Celtics offense sputtered and stalled. Unfortunately, this was down the stretch in the 4th quarter. It's no coincidence that this was also when LA took the lead back.

I wouldn't be too worried out there, Celtics fans. The Lakers needed Kobe to put up 36, and Vujacic to light it up with 3 pointers. They also got a little tiny bit of luck. Remember Pau "Missing an L" Gasol's "tip-in" in the 4th? He tried clamping both hands on it, the ball popped out, then fell in the hoop. This was Gasol's humble reaction to the gift given to him by the basketball gods:



Things will be different in game 4 on Thursday night. Once again, the Sox game has been moved up to 6.

-The Commodore