Friday, June 13, 2008

Game 4 - One of the Greatest Comebacks

Lamar Odom finally woke up, blowing by his Game 3 production with 8 points in the first 5 minutes of the contest. Gasol and Odom played like long lost brothers, spiritually in tune with one another. They passed the ball back and forth and scored easy buckets at will. The Lakers were up 35-14 after the first quarter. The 21-point lead was the most after one quarter in the history of the NBA Finals.

Trevor Ariza brought energy to keep the Laker roll going. Los Angeles took a 24 point lead at one point in the second. The Celtics cut the lead to 18 by halftime, but things looked bleak for the boys from Boston. In the third, the Lakers pushed the lead back up to 20. All 5 starters scored in double figures for the fellows in yellow. But Odom only had 11 after his initial breakout (with 10 rebounds). Gasol had 17 total despite his fast start (also with 10 rebounds). Bryant had 10 assists, but only 17 points on 6-19 shooting. Radmanovic and Fisher each had 10.

Boston came back on the strength of their defense. After giving up 58 points in the first half, they allowed only 33 in the second. Garnett was more aggressive, finishing with 16 points and 11 boards. Pierce and Ray Allen both can fall into a habit of strictly shooting jumpers, but both had fantastically athletic moves near the basket during the Celtics comeback attempt. Pierce had 20 points and Allen scored 19 with 9 rebounds and 3 steals. Boston outscored the Lakers 31-15 in the third quarter.

The story for Boston was their bench, specifically James Posey and Eddie House. Posey and his championship experience scored 18. House is a shooter who can spread the court in a way that Rondo can't. Rondo is a much better defender, but he was suffering from an ankle injury, limiting his ability out on the floor. House put in 11 points and the Celtics were +20 with him on the court. When the Boston bench plays well, they win. Starting center Kendrick Perkins went out with a shoulder injury. His departure also helped Boston because their small lineup has been more effective.

Allen and Posey hit big threes as the Celtics zoomed by the Lakers late in the fourth. Despite the great comeback, there wasn't much drama. The Celtics were going to catch and surpass the Lakers. Boston won 97-91 to take a 3-1 lead.

Boston's bench is better than the Lakers bench, something that experts didn't believe before the series started. Vujajic played down the stretch and was awful. He shot 1-9 and the Lakers were -14 with him in the lineup. The more shocking key to the series is the more aggressive team controls things, much like the Zimbabwean election. You would think that both teams would be aggressive throughout, but this series has been dictated by skilled but rather soft big men. No team has ever won the NBA championship after trailing 3-1 in the Finals.

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