Larry O’Brien Trophy in Game 6

Game 6 is the most awaited game for the Boston Celtics. C’s are currently leading the finals series 3-2 over the defending champions LA Lakers. Celtics’ will try to duplicate their championship feat in 2008 in game 6 as they humiliated the Lakers via a 131-92 win.

There are lots of questions that need to be answered in this game. We witnessed how good Kobe was in game 5. Will he still continue to carry the offensive load for his team? But The Lakers are not very good when they stand and watch Kobe - especially against a frenetic defense which Boston employs. Will Phil Jackson continue to add another title under his belt? How will Bynum play with his problematic knee? And most of all can the Lakers overcome 3-2 deficit?

For the Celtics, can the Big Four sustain their complete game from game 5 to game 6? Are we going to see another raining triple from Ray Allen? Will Paul Pierce come out strong to cement his legacy? And lastly, can they close an opponent out on the road?

These are the only questions that we will be looking forward in game 6. This game will be very tight. As I’ve said before, it’s going to be physical; it’s going to be tough; there would be drama; there would be trash talking just to get the coveted prize. Lakers will try to do everything just to extend the series while the Celtics will go for the kill and become the best team in planet once again.

In the last decade of the finals, if I’m not mistaken, there are 4 times the series went tied after first four games. Teams who won in pivotal game 5 win championship. Celtics never lost finals series when they had a 3-2 lead, a perfect 11 and 0 in the offing. C’s are in the better position to depose the Lakers.

Lakers will be facing the elimination for the first time in this post season. Last time they had their backs on the wall was in 2008 finals were Kobe and company succumbed a humiliating 39-point defeat in the decisive Game 6 at the TD Garden.

Celtics already proved this post season that they are capable of winning the series even they found themselves down 2-1 deficit in the hands of the number one team in the league, Lebron James and Cleveland Cavaliers in East’s Semifinal round. C’s took care of the next three games to eliminate King James. Boston can duplicate that feat this post season once they dethrone the Lakers in game 6.

I picked the Celtics to win this series in six games and they have an opportunity to close it out exactly as I said, but this close-out will be the hardest they ever faced because now they are talking about the defending champions on their home court.

Driver’s Seat (Game 5 Recap)

Celtics defeated the Lakers in pivotal game 5 of the NBA Finals with a 92-86 win. C’s claimed the driver’s seat for the first time in this finals series and currently holds 3-2 finals lead over the Lakers. Boston has the twice to beat advantage and one win from their 18th title.

Game 5 was a battle between Kobe Bryant against the entire Celtics team. Black Mamba showed the whole world why he is the best offensive weapon in the entire universe in the present time, as he paced the Lakers with 38 points total including 23 straight for the Lakers in the second to third quarters. He made tough shots after another, hitting shots in different angles of the floor, he scored in different degrees of difficulty and often over multiple defenders. He single-handedly carried the Lakers on his back the entire game. But his brilliant performance was just put into waste, because of lack of support from his entire team. Paul Gasol is the only other Laker player to score in double figures.

Kobe’s sensational performance was simply no match to Celtics’ Big Four. The 2008 Finals MVP Paul Pierce finally arrived. The Truth step-up big time in game 5 as he poured 27 points and tried to keep pace with Kobe Bryant in scoring until his nemesis scored 23 straight points including 19 consecutive points in 3rd canto. KG also provided big lift for the C’s as he scored 18 points 12 rebounds and 5 steals. Ray Allen struggled with his shot, but still found ways to score 12 points. Rajon Rondo had a complete game except with his 7 turnovers. Rondo’s break away lay up sealed the game for the Celtics, thanks to Paul Pierce huge pass who almost called for a sidelined violation.

Let’s see how the Celtics will secure their 18th Title in Game 6.

Keys to Celtics 18th Larry O’Brien Trophy

1. Pound the ball inside
Rajon should continue attacking the basket and let the LA bigs work on defensive end. Let Bynum works on his defense as we know that he is not 100 percent healthy. Run some plays also for KG in the post. It will not just put pressure on the Lakers Twin Towers but also create double teams that will allow the shooters of the Celtics to hit open jumpers.

2. Ray Allen’s shooting hand
This is the best time to start shooting threes again. Ray-Ray struggled from the outside after his brilliant shooting display in game 2. If he does, the Lakers are in big trouble because it opens space for Pierce, KG, and Rondo to operate.

3. Truth’s Legacy
Paul Pierce finally came to his senses in game five. He was able to find how to counter Artest defensive spell on him. The 2008 Finals MVP should make a big statement in game 6 for him to be considered as one of the all time Celtics greats. The Truth should continue to be aggressive on both ends of the floor and establish his offensive pace right after tip-off.

4. Play like to no tomorrow
Celtics must continue to put on their minds that they are the one who is in the brink of elimination. Doc Rivers employed this strategy since they had a chance to eliminate the Cavs in game 6 on their home floor. They have to come out strong from the very start until the buzzer sounded in game 6.

5. Bench Providers

Glen Davis, Rasheed Wallace, Nate Robinson and Ton Allen must always be ready to play. They are the reason why they secured Game 4 win. Davis’ aggressiveness, Sheed’s tough defense, Nate’s ability to score and Tony Allen’s D over Kobe will be needed badly as their names called out to play in game 6.

6. Secure the Ball
The Celtics cannot afford to have 17 turnovers and that responsibility falls to Rajon Rondo, who had 7 in Game 5 alone.