Early on the Lakers started 0-6 from the field until Andrew Bynum, playing on that gimpy-knee, scored on an offensive rebound, one of the 8 offensive rebounds that L.A. would grab in a hard fought first half. Good defense on Kobe Bryant allowed the Celtics to build an early lead behind Rajon Rondos 6 pts as they led 22-20 at the end of the 1st quarter.
L.A. Coach Phil Jackson said early "they are using Pierce on isolation an pick and rolls but Bynum looks good, rusty, looks nice he has some power". Boston Coach Doc Rivers on the other sideline, implored Rondo "to keep pushing the ball"! The Celtics built an 8 pt lead in the 2nd quarter but also committed 8 turnovers in the 1st half as turnovers plagued the offense and the Lakers turned them into automatic points twice as Jordan Farmar led the break down the court in transition to easy baskets. The only bad news for the Lakers came when forward Ron Artest, not playing well at all the last two games was called for his 3rd foul at the 1:16 mark before the half and was sent to the bench. Playing with a will to win Paul Pierce led the Celtics with 15 pts and Rajon Rondo 10 pts at the half. The rebound battle was won by the Lakers in the 1st half as they garnered 8 offensive rebounds which allowed them to stay close as the Celtics turned the ball over 11 times although shooting a scorching 65% compared to the Lakers 33%. Celtics had the lead at the half 45-39.
Pierce continued his hot shooting in the 3rd quarter as he scored on isolations early while being guarded by Artest and finished with 11 pts. Byant started hot also 5-5, 19 pts. halfway thru the period and scored 22 pts. straight for the Lakers, starting back in the 2nd quarter. The Celtics constructed a 13 pt. lead while L.A. went cold and Bryant was the only Laker to score during that time but he went cold as well and didn't score again until 2:55 of 4th. The Lakers had their shooting woes on the offensive end (39%) and Bryant and Gasol were the only Lakers in double figures for the game.
As well as Boston shot from the field (56%) they eventually started to extend their lead which stood at 73-65 before L.A. closed the lead to 6 pts. at the 5:50 point of the 4th. After a few up and down the court trips and turnovers Boston was able to again extend to a lead at 3:45 that stood at 12 pts. The Lakers awakened from their 2nd half snooze, led by "Black Mamba" and showing they will not roll over and die, reeled off 7 pts. straight from the line to make it a 5 pt game with 1:10 to go and things got interesting again. Having the propencity to lose leads and games in the final quarter L.A. saw light at the end of the tunnel and their coach reminded them that Boston has lost more games in the 4th quarter than any team in the league. "They know how to loose in the 4th quarter and they are showing you how right now", Coach Phil Jackson stated to his team. But after the Zen-Master pep talk they still failed to connect the dots and scare the Celtics into giving up the lead as Ray Allen sealed the victory and pushed the lead back to 7 pts after hitting two free-throws.
With the 92-86 win the Boston Celtics have a 3-2 edge in the Championship Series.
In a game where the referees let the players play and decide the outcome fouls were few as the Celtics only went to the line and attempted 13 free throws. Turnovers were still a problem and closing the 4th quarter out strongly remain the most eye popping stats for the Celtics that have to be improved upon in Game #6 & #7 (if necessary) if they wish to take home the title.
L.A. simply has to have other scorers to help Bryant and Gasol and hope that Bynum has enough rest of that knee to be effective. Jordan Farmar has played a yeoman's job and should be collecting more minutes, if not starting at the beginning of the game in place of the sporadic shooting Artest. They get smaller with Farmar in the game but quicker and have a fourth option in the game when it comes to manufacturing points and facilitating the ball as well as freeing up Fisher from long range, which they need badly. With one game to go or it's time to make vacation plans, Phil has to shake it up and maybe start with a lineup of Bryant, Farmar, Fisher, Odom and Gasol. That lineup looks funny but they have produced as a unit defensively and most of all, offensively.
Game #6 is set in LA @9 on Tuesday, June 15, 2010.
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