Shamrock Power: Celtics top Lakers in Game #1

June 5 - It may not be 1987 but the Celtics and Lakers are back in the NBA Finals again. In game 1 Thursday night, players from both sides showed why they are the two best teams in the NBA. However, it seemed that the intensity battle was won by the Celtics, flamed by their all-stars, Allen, Pierce, and Garnet. Kevin Garnet’s 16 points in the first half charged the Celtics and kept them alive, despite playing poor defense, not getting to loose balls, and poor rebounding. Also in the first half, Sam Cassell added pivotal jump shots to rally the C’s on a few occasions.

Down by five at the half, Boston seemed to have a lot to change, in light of playing poor defense and not rebounding particularly well. Lakers center, Pau Gasol played the pick n’ roll especially well in the first half getting to the rim for easy buckets.

Lakers guard, Kobe Bryant, showed signs of getting hot but never really found a rhythm that was able to get the Lakers going. Bryant, who scored 24 points, seemed to carry the weight of the Lakers on his shoulders as they displayed the basketball version of Jekyll and Hyde. Despite strong play by Derek Fisher and Pau Gasol, who both scored 15 points, the Lakers were unable to match the Celtics hard fought bench play.

The Boston Celtics, who were particularly exceptional in the second half, survived a third quarter scare as forward Paul Pierce went down after jumping to defend a shot by Kobe Bryant. Pierce, who appeared to land on teammate Kendrick Perkins, fell to the floor tightly gripping his right knee. Celtic nation gasped for air as their star player was carried away by teammates to be evaluated.

Marked by a strong second half, the Boston Celtics responded to coach Rivers’ challenge to fight through adversity and to remain strong. Remain strong is exactly what the Celtics did, especially when Pierce reentered the game hobbling through the crowd back unto the sideline. As cheers flowed through the new Boston Garden, electricity jolted the Celtics players, particularly Pierce who nailed two amazing back to back three pointers, giving the Celtics an extra push ahead of the Lakers.

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Pierce and Garnet’s ecstatic energy strongly affected the rest of the team, as reserve P.J. Brown came off the bench in the second half and provided quality minutes. Brown, whom the Celtics acquired before the NBA trade deadline, has been a valuable asset to the team’s bench success. As Brown scrambled for loose balls, grabbed crucial rebounds, and played smart defense, the Celtic bench outplayed the Laker bench throughout most of the second half.

Boston’s defense and rebounding in the second half was enormously better than it was in the first. The Celtics caused numerous turnovers in the second half, leaving the Lakers looking dismal and out of sync. Throwing three different defenders on Kobe Bryant appeared to shake up the Lakers MVP guard, which in turn disrupted the entire Laker offense. Garnet’s incredible extra effort to prevent a back court violation, put the ball into play and led to a Sam Cassell jump shot, that gave the C’s an added surge.

As the Celtics wrapped up game 1 with high intensity and zeal, winning 98-88. It was again their “big three’ (Allen, Pierce, and Garnet) that led the way. Pierce finished with 22 points, Garnet finished with 24 points and 13 rebounds, and Allen added 19 points to round off the big three’s game 1 success. Further, point guard Rajon Rondo added 15 points and 7 assists, steadying out the Celtics widespread team effort.

It is certain, though, that the Los Angeles Lakers will come out storming and ready to play as game 2 takes flight on Sunday night on ABC. In the end, it may not be the 1980’s rival, but the 2008 NBA finals looks to be one of the most exciting final’s that we have seen in the last decade. Instead of Bird, McHale, Magic, and Worthy, there’s Pierce, Bryant, Kobe, and Gasol. Fans can expect a much needed and possible thrilling Finals series.

by Tim Wilson
ProBasketball-fans.com Staff Writer

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