(Allen tosses up one of his record setting 8 three-pointers)
Playing their style of defense, the Celtics slowed the Laker offense down as they built a commanding lead in the 1st half and finished up 54-48 at the break. The Lakers started gaining momentum as they scored seven straight points late before the half as Kobe Bryant started what looked to be his best Reggie Miller imitation as he created two steals, hitting a deep three on one and being the facilitator on the other.
The Celtics, playing a complete game from start to finish, were led by Rajon Rondo's 12 pts., 12 rbs. & 10 assts., Kendrick Perkins 12 pts & Paul Pierce's much needed 10 pts. as he played heady old school offense that caused the Laker-General Bryant to be in foul trouble much of the night. Although Rondo finally played the type of game that he has been known to play in this post season he has to realize that he must turn in that type of performance for the remainder of the series. He has to make the plays that have established him as a budding star and not plays that Derrick Fisher is allowing him to make because as we all know Fisher is not known for his stellar defense or being the most fleet of foot at this point of his playing career.
The Lakers, playing without Bryant for a good portion of the 2nd half, could not muster the same game of highlights that they displayed in Game 1.
Pau Gasol was the only bright spot for L.A. as he poured in 25 pts. and 8 rbs. but far short of his Game 1 stats. Bryant chipped in 21 pts. and Andrew Bynum came up big scoring 21 pts. and blocking 7 shots. Before eventually fouling out of the game with 4.7 seconds to go in the 2nd half Ron Artest managed just 1-10 from the floor as the officiating was called even on both sides of the ball, something that this writer is sure that Phil Jackson will have an opinion about REAL soon..
The Celtic defense was the key to the win as they finished Game 2 on a 16-4 run in the final 5:30 after L.A. crept close but was unable to keep the lead long enough to pull out the win. The intensity that is a Boston staple was present in Game 2 after being ghost in the opening game. It should be noted that Kevin Garnett, shooting 2-11 from the field, is attempting to play through a left shoulder injury as he was seen wincing and rubbing on it for most of the game between timeouts and rests on the bench. Although there has been no word form the team, this is an injury that could play a VERY significant role in the series if Garnett has to miss any time out. The Series now shifts to Boston for Games 3-5 as part of the 2-3-2 format. Boston will attempt to return to L.A. with a lead in the Series and they will have many rowdy Bostonians cheering them on for the next week at home. After losing their first home game of the 2010 post-season the Lakers will be hungry to steal a win or two in the Garden and General Bryant will be focused and the Jordanesque-scowl will on display.
Game 3 is set in Boston, June 8, 2010 @ 9pm.
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