All EVEN

First two games of the 2010 NBA Finals are already done. Lakers and Celtics both secured wins in game 1 and game 2 respectively. It’s now time for the Lakers to make the adjustments while the C’s will try to maintain their momentum once the finals shifts at the TD Garden for game 3 on June 9, 2010 at 9AM Manila Time.

The much anticipated rivalry was renewed once again as the Los Angeles Lakers protected their home court in game 1 with a 102-89 win. Kobe Bryant delivered the message to the whole world that they are determined to defend their title as he capped 30pts, 7rebs and 6 assts and named as the best player of the game.

Twenty seven seconds into the game, Paul Pierce and Ron Artest locked arms under the basket and took each other down into the floor for lose ball scramble that resulted a double technical foul. That physical game led to a series of free-throws as both teams combined to commit 18 first quarter fouls.

Pau Gasol is the big difference in game 1. He outplayed Kevin Garnett and exposed the latter’s weaknesses or probably what most people would say as signs of aging. Gasol’s toughness was felt on both ends of the floor. He is more aggressive in crashing the boards, defending the rim and most of all he made sure that he is not the same GASOFT player that was outhustled by KG back in 2008 finals.

Lakers tough defense on Rondo made the Celtics offense miserable. Rajon Rondo is not the same player as we’ve seen in the playoffs this year. He doesn’t push the basketball on fast breaks nor attacking the basket the way he usually does and as a result C’s went to Pierce for isolation play that didn’t help the Celtics to win the game.


In game 2, Celtics was keen to tie the series as they know that their backs will be on the wall once they lose this game. There are only 3 teams in NBA finals history was able to comeback in 0-2 deficit and the C’s doesn’t want to be part of that big hole.

Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen’s brilliant performance in game 2, help the Celtics even the series via a 103-94 win. Rajon Rondo posted his 4th Triple Double in the post season as he drilled 19pts 12 rebs and 10 assts while Ray Allen was like a man possessed hitting an NBA Finals record with eight three-pointers in the Game 2 win. Ray Allen’s hit his first seven triples in the first half alone.

KG delivered the message to the Lakers that he is determined to bounce back on his last game meltdown and hope to steal 1 game from the Lakers home court. He knocked-down the first basket of the game, but after 3mins of action in the 1st qtr The Big Ticket committed his 2nd personal foul as he had no choice but to go the bench.

An overwhelming number of foul calls in game 2 never really allowed players to get into any type of flow as the game wore on. The officials have been calling this series very tight on both sides and end up with its best players of both teams put into foul trouble early in the game.

Pau Gasol fueled the offense of the Lakers as he continues to dominate the bigs of the C’s. He poured 25pts, 8 rebs and 6 blks, but not enough to win the game for Lakers.

The most memorable scene for me in this game was the time-out called by Doc Rivers in the last minutes of the 4th quarter. He timely called for a timeout as his boys almost did not cross the halfcourt, thus, preventing the C’s to commit a backcourt violation. Good presence of mind Doc.

Key’s to the Game

For the Lakers

1. Good Perimeter Defense – Lakers guards should not cheat on defense instead keep on chasing Ray Allen, as we all know Ray Ray is good in spot up jumpers.
2. Gasol Dominance – He is the best player of finals so far. Just give the ball to Pau in the post as he has advantage over KG, Sheed and Big Baby.
3. Kobe’s Revenge – It’s time for the Black Mamba to avenge his team’s worst loss in the finals history, succumbing a 131-92 humiliating defeat in game 6 of 2008 Finals as Celtics celebrated their championship.
4. Protecting the Rim – Lakers’ Bigs (Pau and Bynum) must continue to protect the interior as they set an NBA Finals record in game 2 with 14 shot blocked shots.
5. Artest’s defense – Ron Ron tough”s defense affects the performance of Paul Pierce. The Truth was limited to only 11 points in game 2 after scoring team high 24 pts in game 1.
6. Odom’s Contribution – Lamar Odom in foul trouble limits his action in first two games. So Expect Odom to bounce back and stay away from foul trouble.

For the Celtics

1. Home Court Advantage – Celtics stole the home court advantage via a game 2 win, which puts the Lakers in big trouble because the C’s will enjoy their home court advantage for the next 3 games.
2. Push the Ball – Rajon Rondo and the Celts must be more aggressive and need to continue to run the fast breaks and penetrate the Lakers’ interior defense as we saw the results in game 2.
3. Avoid careless fouls – The officials are very sensitive in this series. Celtics’ big men should stay away from unnecessary fouls.
4. The Truth’s Big Ticket – Paul Pierce and KG need to step up. Both players combined for only 16 points in game 2 and they both know they’ll have to be aggressive as the series shifts back to Boston.
5. Contain Gasol – Tom Thibodeau, the C’s assistant coach, defensive Guru and the newly named head coach of the Bulls must find away how to limit Gasol’s production.
6. Quality Minutes – Big Baby and Nate Robinson should always be ready once their names are called on the bench. Nate scored 7 pts in 6 minutes of action including clutch three pointer to put the Celtics ahead by 1 point in the 4th quarter, while Davis was a huge contributor in crashing the offensive glass and had very timely baskets as well in game 2.

The whole world already witnessed what this rivalry is made of; we will be seeing more psychical game as the series progress. The big question now is, can the Lakers expose the OLD Age of the Celtics or will C’s experience prevail?

My call, Celtics will win two games on their home floor then finish the Lakers in 6 games.