Anyways, the Los Angeles Lakers had their backs against the wall, down 1-3. The Boston Celtics had a chance to dust this team away in Game 5 and hoist up the trophy on their home court. For most of the game, the leads were very reminiscent of Game 4: L.A. jumped out to an early lead, Boston came fighting back, Boston got the lead...but hold on. Kobe Bryant did not accept defeat, and sent the game back to Boston.
However, people in the Laker locker-room know that they need to play better than a 103-98 squeaker in Game 5 at home. Right after the game, ABC's Michele Tafoya asked Kobe if we have seen enough from this squad to believe they can steal a game in Boston.
"Probably not," said the 2008 MVP. He's right.
The Lakers are getting out-played in this series. Kobe Bryant has struggled. His teammates have been inconsistent. Even with a 19-point early lead and a 14-point advantage in the final period, the Celtics clawed their way back into the game to fall into a 90-90 deadlock. That was without Kendrick Perkins and Rajon Rondo, and with Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett plagued by foul trouble.
And they still managed to make the game competitive in the final minutes. Bryant saved the Lakers in the final minute with a reach-from-behind steal, leading to a breakaway dunk at the other end, effectively nailing in the coffin for the game. However, many questions still arise for L.A, despite the win.
Can Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom play well in the noisy Boston crowd? Have the Lakers definitively reversed the trend of sluggish third quarters? Will Kobe's supporting cast knock down open shots? Can Kobe Bryant be a consistent scorer for all 48 minutes with that swarming Boston defense?
It will be difficult and arduous for L.A. to win a game -- let alone two -- in Boston. Kobe Bryant has made note in losses that Doc Rivers keeps on sending two or three guys at him. To me, he shouldn't be complaining. You could throw five guys at Michael Jordan. He still found a way to help his team win. In his heyday, Shaquille O'Neal was double- and triple-teamed the entire game. He still got it done. If he can't find an opening, he should pass it to his teammates. They gave him a 24-point lead in the first half of Game 4, without Bryant registering a field goal.
I question the decisions that have been made by Phil Jackson throughout this series. Last night, he put Chris Mihm -- a player who has missed the whole year -- into the game. This is the NBA Finals. It's an elimination game. You don't put in someone who hasn't played all year in the game. Mihm looked confused and lost on the floor, picking up two fouls in less than three minutes.
Moreover, I do not see why Phil Jackson had Luke Walton and Sasha Vujacic on Paul Pierce. Pierce got to the basket at will, on his way to a 38-point performance. I would not put Walton or Vujacic on Paul Pierce. Kobe Bryant is the only player who can guard a player of that stature. If Bryant is in foul trouble, I'd send two or three defenders to Pierce. Make some other guy beat you.
The good news for Los Angeles is that Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol played magnificently last night, giving them some confidence going into Boston. Doc Rivers conceded that the Lakers were the more physical team. The bad news is that Boston has been the more physical team this series by far. It looked as if the Lakers could have blown out the C's every single game at home. What happened was that Boston wiped off every bit of that lead and did not give them any comfort.
Although Boston has tied the most losses in the playoffs (nine), it is hard to see Los Angeles coming out victorious in this series. I'd expect a focused squad of C's tomorrow night. They still have the edge in this series. If you don't believe me, just ask Paul Pierce.
"It still feels like we have the advantage in the series," Pierce said, "and I do feel like we're the better team."
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