Lakers-Celtics Game 6 Running Diary

Some running thoughts on game 6...


1st quarter
12:00 - Just realized that the Lakers gold/yellow and the Celtics green is the same color combination as at Sam/Sarah's wedding a few weeks ago.
10:38 - 2 possessions in and the Lakers' spacing is already worlds better than in game 5.  Ball is zipping around and no one looks scared.
8:04 - The Celts are still taking advantage of the offensive sets that put Allen right underneath the hoop for a quick catch and layup.  The Laker guards are too used to chasing Allen that they can't deal with him when he stops.  Since Kobe isn't playing up on Rondo, it's an easy lob pass.
5:24 - Perkins is down with a knee injury - those are never good, especially for burly guys coming down on fragile ligaments.

2nd quarter, Lakers up 10
10:00 - Looks like Robinson learned the "run into the guard after a rebound and fall down" flop from Pierce to draw fouls.
8:03 - Nice hustle play by Farmar to dive for the loose ball, ironically from Rondo, who did the same thing against Orlando and became a folk hero in Boston
7:19 - Better off-the-ball movement by the Lakers already - maybe Kobe won't need to score 50.
7:16 - One of the problems with being a celebrity hangout is that Laker crowds are just not going to be as insane as at other arenas.  The Boston crowd would have blown the roof off by now with this lead.  All the good Laker fans are priced out of being at the game.
5:33 - Farmar just dunked on the break before KG could chase him down.  The Laker bench plays superbly when the Lakers are ahead, not so much when they're down and scared.  Lakers up 18.
3:55 - You know it's the Lakers' half when Artest does his "dribbling across the entire key and shoots a 23 foot jumper" routine, there are no gasps of horror from the crowd before the shot goes up, and it goes in.
1:43 - Rondo blows a baseline dunk - this team can't make anything.  He makes up for it by forcing and winning the jump ball against odom though.
1:01 - Lakers doing a nice job of interior defense so far - Odom and Gasol are able to use their length, and the refs are letting them play.

Halftime 
- The Celts are seriously missing Perkins.  If he can't come back in the second half or in game 7, they'll be in serious trouble.

3rd quarter, Lakers up 20
8:47 - Big Baby just flew into a scrum going for an offensive rebound on a shot that actually went in.  The way he throws his bulk around, I'm afraid he'll land on someone and snap their spine.
7:05 - Tough drive by Kobe for the and-1, absorbing the bump from KG.  I was watching some youtube clips of Jordan in the finals against the Suns in 1993, and it struck me how most of his points were coming within 15 ft from drives, layups, jumpers, while Kobe can catch fire from outside but they all seem like harder shots.  Kobe is really working the boards, though.
1:09 - Despite some solid shooting by KG, the Celtics can't cut into the lead.  After Rondo hit Artest's forearm with his face, 3 by Vujacic to put them up 22 - this game might be over.
0:00 - 51 points by Boston through 3 quarters?

4th quarter, Lakers up by 25
10:46 - Starting the 4th quarter, all the Celts' Big 3 are out and Kobe/Pau are still in.
8:55 - Love how Gasol keeps the ball high on the offensive rebound and quick-dunks it back in.  Nate Robinson was skying for a potential block there, which he may have gotten on someone like Dwight Howard who likes bringing the ball all the way down before going back up again.
6:31 - Lead down to 21 after Allen's free throw on Kobe's technical.  Big 3 is back in.  How is this game not locked up yet?  Think it's about time to wrap things up early.

Post-Game Thoughts
Well, that wasn't competitive at all.  No real coaching adjustments made, the Lakers just went out and played far better on both ends of the court.  Game 7 it is.