Lakers vs Celtics Game 3 Recap
The Lakers looked dominant in a 9 point Game 1 victory. It looked as though they were too long and much stronger then they were back in 2008 when the Boston Celtics wanted it more and took the championship. The referees played a huge role as Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Lamar Odom were all hindered by foul trouble. The Lakers took full advantage as Ron Artest shut down Paul Pierce and Kobe Bryant locked up Rajon Rondo enough to keep him from taking over the game. Bryant looked to be on his way to championship number 5.
How quickly things can change in the NBA Finals. Game 2 looked completely opposite from Game 1, except for the referees playing a big role, nothing else was similar. Ray Allen started the night on fire and made an NBA Finals record 7 three pointers in the first half and 8 in the game. Kobe Bryant was the victim of foul trouble this time as he was limited the entire game and looked timid in the fourth quarter trying to avoid picking up his 6th and final foul. The Celtics took full advantage and seized the opportunity taking Game 2 and swiping the home court advantage from the NBA Champions. With just under 2 minutes in the game, a controversial call that bounced off the hand of Kevin Garnett and was given to Boston, proved to be the deciding call in the game. Although the NBA allows replay under 2 minutes in the game, the referees decided not to review a play that should have been overturned. Rajon Rondo promptly drilled a 15 foot jumper to push the lead to 5 and close the game out. After 2 foul plagued, slow, no rhythm games, the only certainty was that nobody could predict how this series was going to go.
Game 3 has been known to be the pivotal game of the Finals when the series is tied 1-1. The winner of Game 3 when a series is tied has gone on to win the Championship 100 percent of the time! This is great news for all…LAKERS FANS! Game 3 was the best thus far as the referees let the players play and it made for a great game. It started with the Celtics playing off the home crowd and jumping out to a quick 7 point lead, the Lakers withstood the charge and came back with a run of their own to take a commanding lead halfway through the second quarter. They stretched the lead to 17 with great defense and domination by their big men inside. Boston Garden was silenced along with Ray Allen and Paul Pierce who started a combined 0-10. Kevin Garnett woke up from his two game slumber and kept the Celtics in the game. They closed the first half with a run and went to halftime only down by 12. Boston began the second half with stifling defense and held the Lakers to only 15 third quarter points. The lead was down to 6 to begin the fourth. After a string of great plays from Glenn “Big Baby” Davis, the Lakers lead was down to 1 and the Boston crowd was rockin again. With Kobe Bryant struggling to find his shot, Derek Fisher picked up the slack and kept the lead at four with big shot after big shot. After another Ray Allen missed three with about a minute left, Fisher grabbed the rebound and stormed past a Celtics defense that looked like they thought the game was over and he made a miraculous lay-up while being fouled by three Celtics. The Lakers won game three by 7 and took the home court advantage right back. Game 4 is Thursday at 6pm.
