Celtics Earn Important Split at Lakers

Celtics SG Ray Allen

The Celtics accomplished what they had hoped to do on their trip to the Staples Center in Los Angeles – manage a split in their first two games with a 103-94 victory over the Lakers in Game 2.  As a road team in a 2-3-2 best of seven format, taking at least one of these games is of optimum importance.  As the series heads back to Boston, the hopes for an 18^th title that had looked bleak after a shoddy Game 1 performance are more than just a dream. 

Backed by a record setting performance by Ray Allen, (8 3-pointers in a Finals game) and a triple double from Rajon Rondo (19-12-10), the Celtics were able to steal home-court advantage from the Lakers.  Allen’s sharpshooting immediately conjured up memories of Michael Jordan’s performance in Game 1 of the 1992 Finals, in which he sank 6 of 6 3-pointers in the first half against the Portland Trailblazers

Boston was able to pull this one out despite a lackluster offensive performance from Kevin Garnett, who has looked like a shell of his former self through the first two contests.  Garnett was in foul trouble the entire game and never seemed to get in the flow of the game.  When he was out there, he had his hands full with a dominant Pau Gasol. 

While Paul Pierce had a sub-par offensive performance by his standards, he was solid on defense, limiting Ron Artest to 1-10 from the field.  Kendrick Perkins was hit or miss for most of the game, at times solid, other times, being overpowered by Andrew Bynum.  Perkins did keep his temper in check when shoved by Gasol late in the 4^th quarter though, guaranteeing his presence for Game 3.

The Celtics also had the fortune of having Kobe Bryant on somewhat of an off-performance, highlighted by 8 for 20 shooting and an eye-popping 5 personal fouls.  Common sense would dictate that will not happen again, but Boston fans will attempt to get in his head over the next 3 games for certain. 

Bench play was largely in favor of the Celtics in Game 2.  Rasheed Wallace and Glen Davis dominated the boards while in the game with 7 rebounds each.  Nate Robinson brought instant energy and offense with 7 points in just 6 minutes.  Lamar Odom was a virtual non-factor off the bench for Los Angeles, with 3 points and 5 fouls in just 15 minutes on the court. 

Moving forward, for the Celtics to win this series, Garnett is going to have to become 2008 Garnett, and not the player we have seen the past few nights.  Ray Allen is not going to shoot like this every game, and the Lakers will make shutting Rondo and Pierce a priority as well.  Garnett must show the physical dominance that he portrayed against Cleveland and to a lesser extent Orlando.  If not, Gasol will continue to dominate, opening up more opportunities for Bryant and Bynum.  If he can show just marginal improvement over the next 3 games, fire up the duck boats and plan the parade route.