Lakers 103, Celtics 98: Instant Analysis
Kobe Bryant (photo. Mannion)Why the Lakers won: Because they had to. Nobody played an outstanding game for L.A. — even Kobe was ice-cold and made some poor decisions in the second half after a hot first half — but they scrapped and fought and deserve credit for showing the heart that everyone’s been questioning throughout this series. Kobe, Lamar Odom, Derek Fisher and Pau Gasol all made crucial plays down the stretch to keep the Lakers alive.
Why the Celtics lost: Falling behind early. Although Boston proved in Game 4 they could withstand a big Lakers’ lead on the road and still get a W, that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to flirt with being 20-pieced. Part of pulling off a historic comeback is having almost everything break your way, and unlike the previous game, the Celtics weren’t giving themselves those breaks this time. From Kevin Garnet missing layups and free throws in crunch-time to Paul Pierce committing costly turnovers, Boston simply didn’t execute well enough to steal the win and clinch the championship.
Key numbers: Paul Pierce (38 pts, 6 rebs, 8 asts); Kevin Garnett (13 pts, 14 rebs); Kobe Bryant (25 pts, 7 rebs, 5 stls); Pau Gasol (19 pts, 13 rebs, 6 asts); Lamar Odom (20 pts, 11 rebs, 4 blks)
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June 16th, 2008 at 12:12 am
Duke says:
Kobe needs to step the **** up.
June 16th, 2008 at 12:13 am
tealish says:
Reach by Kobe on PP in that huge 4point swing? I didn’t think so at first, but on the slow-mo replay it was obvious Kobe hit mostly body. And the back to back away from the ball 5th fouls on Pierce and Garnett to completely change the outlook of the game? Nice. But then again, who didn’t think we’d be going back to Boston regardless of how the teams played?
June 16th, 2008 at 12:13 am
Conspirasits says:
WOW! Dick the ‘Company Man’ comes through for the Lake Show once again! Did you see Kobe hug Pierce which caused a turnover (when Boston was only down by 2) and then on that last inbounds, Kobe is on his but with the ball in his hands and uses his feet to scoot away before a defender could tie him up. I guess it’s good for the NBA to extend the series.
June 16th, 2008 at 12:15 am
Big Sia says:
THEY WASTED PIERCE`S EFFORT
GOD DAMN, the man was a gangster tonight
B.R.E.A.M
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Q1kxZpyREdE
June 16th, 2008 at 12:16 am
krip says:
NO way LA wins in Boston with that type of defense… Paul Pierce got to the hole at WILL…
June 16th, 2008 at 12:17 am
Duke says:
The Lakers D was pitiful. They had no right to win this game. PP did beast everyone though.
June 16th, 2008 at 12:17 am
hahns says:
c’s defense on kobe is insane….i really wish kobe and mj played in the same era so we can see how they really compare.
June 16th, 2008 at 12:17 am
Soopa says:
Yeah, Kobe was out of bounds on that inbounds play, no question about it. Plues the reach foul on Pierce.
Lakers stole one.
June 16th, 2008 at 12:21 am
kobe>garnett says:
these 5 games in the finals have been the most poorly reffed games i’ve ever seen in my life, on both sides by the way.
i will say that several kg fouls were very very touch fouls but kobe’s reacharound was a good noncall. ya’ll are exaggerating the amount of contact.
June 16th, 2008 at 12:24 am
tealish says:
Thing about Pierce, is that he doesn’t cry about it. If the roles were reversed and PP got a breakaway dunk from that reach of a steal, Kobe would be hopping all over with that patented look of exasperation, accompanied by the equally infamous arm sling.
But instead, Pierce just plays on. Much respect for him. I’ve always underappreciated his game, but now, I see the truth.
June 16th, 2008 at 12:28 am
fallinup says:
My prediction: It ends Tuesday.
June 16th, 2008 at 12:40 am
GEE...come oowwwnnn maaaan says:
Man stop crying about that stinky lil no call. It should be obvious to eeerrrrbody by now that horrible calls are in this year more than ever. so in light of that if you take away the calls., you simply have a case of key plays down the stretch like DIME said.
LA has to hit some shots though for real. They just not falling this series for them. Paul Pierce has went so far up in my book he is really playing strong.
any its at least get 6 games. here is hoping to LA somehow winning in Boston…although i doubt it. i just want a scrappy game 7 so bad.
Phil cant keep doing these weird substitutions and taking the starters out for CHRIS AND TREVOR!!! Come on! The finals you have to play the starters let them keep their rythm and not get cold. Phil got ta do betta.
June 16th, 2008 at 12:44 am
K Dizzle says:
@ post 3
even Laker fans will admit the game coulda gone either way, but it’s always refreshin to read some joker’s post that the nba fixed the game. I don’t care if it’s good for the nba if the series goes 7 cuz I ain’t seein a penny of nba profits. I do wanna watch ball so as long as the series goes, the benefit to people who actually like basketball. Did you even watch the game? There was bad calls both ways and if KG hits those free throws, it’s a different game maybe. Try to enjoy the games without fallin on some bs conspiracy theory every time your team loses
June 16th, 2008 at 1:14 am
Dagomar says:
The Lakers won this game, but showed that they are simply not a Championship-calibre team at this point.
Kobe vanished for two and a half quarters. Well, he sulked and complained and hassled his teammates, but when it came to scoring or defending he was nowhere. Odom played a generally good game, and Gasol held his own now and then, but both were soft for key stretches. The bottom line is that two of Boston’s big three played terrible games, that Boston twice fell far behind because the Lakers hit shots they won’t be hitting in Boston, and that Odom, to be honest, won’t be playing like that again. And for all that, the Celtics would have won it had KG not crumbled in two decisive instances.
Oh, and that that Laker defense? It’ll cost them this series. Unless something really shocking happens, Boston wins this in six.
June 16th, 2008 at 1:39 am
HBooyah says:
It’s over Tuesday. The LakeShow can’t possibly win in Boston the way they’ve been playing – giving up the huge lead in Game 4, and mediocre play in Game 5. I’ve never seen a team shut down Kobe the way the Celtics do – the way they pack the key when he’s iso’d up top. Did you see him screaming at Gasol about the pick and roll?
Game 6: Boston wins handily, PP gets MVP, partially because he recruited some votes in the post-game interview after Game 4, and the both teams get ready for a finals rematch next year.
June 16th, 2008 at 1:41 am
Teddy says:
idk man shit is different now…usually kobe doesnt need 2 be told 2 step the fu** up.