The Boston Celtics added another win Sunday night, beating the Lakers 108-102. It was an ugly game for Los Angeles, who found themselves down by 24 in the fourth quarter, but rallied back late in the game to pull it within 2. That would be as close as it got for the Lakers, who now find themselves in unfamiliar waters.
Going back to Staples Center for three straight games, it's sink of swim for Los Angeles. Although this is a precarious position for the Lakers (being down 2-0 and all), I think they'll fare well. They haven't been behind in a playoff series this season, but in a macro sense, I think the Lakers are better playing as underdogs. Are our memories that short that we've forgotten about Los Angeles' late-season charge to the top of the Western Conference after trailing New Orleans, San Antonio, and Phoenix most of the way?
Judging by the Lakers' fourth quarter charge in Game 2, they may actually feel more comfortable playing from behind.
In addition to all of that, the home court analysis leans toward Los Angeles. The Lake Show is undefeated at Staples Center during the playoffs, while Boston has lost at TD Banknorth Garden. Lakers should have little problem winning all three at home, and the Celtics already know what it's like to get beat in their own arena.
Okay, there were a lot of factors that led to the Lakers' loss in Game 2:
Giving up offensive rebounds
Poor transition defense
Hometown officials
Shortage of Bench points
Passing up open shots
The most apparent, though, was the way in which the game was officiated. Now, I'm not the type to start making excuses for Laker losses. But even if the Lakers did pull off a huge comeback victory, I could still easily say that they were unfairly penalized. The fouls called on Los Angeles in the first half made it impossible for them to stay afloat. Any contact at all, regardless of which team had the ball, was blamed on the Lakers. I can sincerely say that I was disappointed by how much control of the game the officiating crew exercised, and I was disgusted how one-sided it was. I wag my werewolf finger at them.
I applaud the fight of the Lakers. Given they were down 24 points halfway through the fourth, their determination to battle to the final buzzer showed how much they want to win. They fought back on the shoulders of another 30-point effort from Kobe Bryant, and stiff defense from Laker guards.
It was only two years ago that Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat went from being down 2 games to none, to winning the championship in 6 games. The Lakers definitely have their work cut out for them, but I'm feelin' a big turnaround in this series.
Going back to Staples Center for three straight games, it's sink of swim for Los Angeles. Although this is a precarious position for the Lakers (being down 2-0 and all), I think they'll fare well. They haven't been behind in a playoff series this season, but in a macro sense, I think the Lakers are better playing as underdogs. Are our memories that short that we've forgotten about Los Angeles' late-season charge to the top of the Western Conference after trailing New Orleans, San Antonio, and Phoenix most of the way?
Judging by the Lakers' fourth quarter charge in Game 2, they may actually feel more comfortable playing from behind.
In addition to all of that, the home court analysis leans toward Los Angeles. The Lake Show is undefeated at Staples Center during the playoffs, while Boston has lost at TD Banknorth Garden. Lakers should have little problem winning all three at home, and the Celtics already know what it's like to get beat in their own arena.
Okay, there were a lot of factors that led to the Lakers' loss in Game 2:
Giving up offensive rebounds
Poor transition defense
Hometown officials
Shortage of Bench points
Passing up open shots
The most apparent, though, was the way in which the game was officiated. Now, I'm not the type to start making excuses for Laker losses. But even if the Lakers did pull off a huge comeback victory, I could still easily say that they were unfairly penalized. The fouls called on Los Angeles in the first half made it impossible for them to stay afloat. Any contact at all, regardless of which team had the ball, was blamed on the Lakers. I can sincerely say that I was disappointed by how much control of the game the officiating crew exercised, and I was disgusted how one-sided it was. I wag my werewolf finger at them.
I applaud the fight of the Lakers. Given they were down 24 points halfway through the fourth, their determination to battle to the final buzzer showed how much they want to win. They fought back on the shoulders of another 30-point effort from Kobe Bryant, and stiff defense from Laker guards.
It was only two years ago that Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat went from being down 2 games to none, to winning the championship in 6 games. The Lakers definitely have their work cut out for them, but I'm feelin' a big turnaround in this series.
Game 3 is Tuesday night. Stay hungry, Los Angeles.
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