Team Basketball is Key for Celtics

There will be no duels in this series because of Boston’s unwillingness to do so. The Celtics know that it was team basketball that has brought them to the Finals. They trumped Dwyane Wade in Miami, LeBron James in Cleveland and Dwight Howard in Orlando. And now they’re on the brink of taking out the biggest superstar of them all in Kobe Bryant. Watching the Celtics unselfish play makes it possible to believe that NBA all stars have no ego at all. In the three victories of the Celtics in the Finals, they were led by different players. Ray Allen exploded in Game 2, Nate Robinson and Glen “Big Baby” Davis boosted the Celtics in Game 4 and Paul Pierce trumped Ron Artest in Game 5. Every game, there’s been a different hero. How do the Lakers prepare for that? Meanwhile, Los Angeles has become very predictable. Cut off Kobe’s supporting cast and you have Kobe scoring 30 plus points in a loss.

Bryant Still Has It

Many were quick to say that Kevin Durant was a better basketball player than Kobe after the Oklahoma City Thunder gave the Los Angeles Lakers problems in the first round. But it’s been a month after that series and Durant is home eating popcorn while Bryant is in the Finals playing for his fifth ring. One thing’s for sure, Kobe is still king despite the many commercials of LeBron James Nike forces us to sit through. Bryant is still a scoring machine but he needs his supporting cast to beat the Celtics.

The 2010 Finals Are Unpredictable

Despite the Celtics moving into one game within the Larry O’Brien trophy, this year’s finals are one of the hardest to predict in recent memory. The Lakers entered as the favorite to win it all after their performance against the Suns and Jazz, but that has changed since the Celtics won Game 5. Who would’ve predicted that Doc Rivers would outcoach Phil Jackson? Or that Big Baby’s play would determine an outcome of a game?

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It was a complete reversal in this year’s finals. Back in 2008, the Celtics were more physical and basically imposed their will on the Lakers. They punked Pau Gasol into playing a little man’s game and forced Kobe Bryant to shoot terrible from outside. Fast forward to year 2010, the Lakers outrebounded the Celtics 42 to 31. Gasol outplayed Kevin Garnett by notching 23 points, 14 rebounds and 3 assists. He punked Garnett and Kendrick Perkins in the paint in a desperate attempt to shed his ’soft’ label.

Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo was ineffective the whole game. He could not steer his team into a smooth offensive flow. A large part of that can be owed to Bryant guarding him. Kobe stayed in front of the Celtics guard and prevented him from getting into the lane.

Ray Allen found himself in foul trouble all night. He scored only 12 points and was on the bench in moments when the Lakers were pulling away.

But the biggest difference was Ron Artest. Paul Pierce had to work for his points. He scored 24 points, but half of those were from the free throw line. Artest got into Pierce’s head in the opening moments of the game when both players got tangled up and fell to the floor. Not only did Artest contain Pierce but he hit the three that put the game completely out of reach for the Celtics. Bryant and Gasol got their numbers but the biggest difference maker was Artest.

How will the Celtics respond? With the way they played, the Lakers look headed for a sweep.

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Major storylines:

Defense

Boston took out three superstar led teams to reach the finals. Miami’s Dwyane Wade got his numbers but still succumbed to the Celtics tight D. Many expected LeBron James to bully his way against Boston. Not the case. James got his numbers but for the second straight year failed to reach the finals. Dwight Howard’s supporting cast was completely shut down. Howard did not enjoy support like he did in Orlando’s previous playoff series’.

What we’re trying to say is the Lakers have never faced a defense as stifling as Boston’s. Kobe Bryant will get his numbers but how is he going to involve his supporting cast?

The Lakers finally have someone to contain Paul Pierce. Ron Artest is the best perimeter defender in the league and he’ll make Pierce work for his points. Bryant can focus his attention towards Rajon Rondo. It’ll be interesting to see how much Pau Gasol has grown and how he’ll respond to Kendrick Perkins’ and Kevin Garnett’s rough defense.

Celtics have the obvious advantage in defense.

Rajon Rondo

Rondo is arguably the best point guard in the league. He is capable of hitting 15-footers now unlike in 2008. Bryant can’t leave him open anymore and help out swarming Pierce and Allen. The Lakers have to slow the pace down and take away Rondo’s quickness in the open court. Everything starts with Rondo on offense, if he’s shut down the entire Celtics offense will stall.

Bench

The bench will be a major factor for both teams. Rasheed Wallace has come on strong in the playoffs, Big Baby Davis provides energy and hustle and Nate Robinson can score points in a hurry. For the Lakers, Lamar Odom needs to stay focused. They can’t afford him to go drifting into space. Shannon Brown will have to play great defense on Ray Allen and Jordan Farmar has to knock down some shots.

Verdict

This is a tough call with both teams playing at such a high level. Lakers in 6 given that Kobe will be in revenge mode.

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Can Kobe Bryant and the Lakers avenge their 2008 Finals loss to the Celtics? Show your support with fantastic Los Angeles Lakers merchandise that include banners, wall clocks, flags, throw blankets, pillows, comforters,wall hangings and wallpaper border.

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Celtics fans are itching to prove that their 2008 win over the LA Lakers wasn’t a fluke. Support their cause with our great Boston Celtics bedding. There’s more Boston Celtics merchandise available to keep you feeling the luck of the Leprechaun in the Finals.

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Orlando Magic vs Boston Celtics

Interesting point guard match up between Rajon Rondo and Jameer Nelson. It can be argued that Nelson’s play has been a big part of the Magic’s success in the playoffs. The former St. John stand-out has been shooting the lights out from three point range and has been successfully directing the Magic offense. Nelson has never played this great before. Rondo is the Celtics Big One. He has the ability to dominate games with his versatile skills.

Kendrick Perkins gives the Celtics the comfort of not double teaming Dwight Howard in the post. This means that Orlando’s shooters won’t be getting the open looks they had against the Hawks and Bobcats.

Orlando has a better bench. That’ll come in handy against the old Celtics.

This will be a great match-up and expect it to be a six game battle with the Celtics shocking Orlando.

Phoenix Suns vs LA Lakers

The Lakers still remember the Suns eliminating them from the playoffs before the Pau Gasol-Kobe Bryant era. Kobe Bryant, the real greatest basketball player in the world, is still stinging from those Phoenix losses. His determination and motivation alone is enough to win this series. But Kobe’s personal vendetta may also be the Lakers downfall. He may become overeager to win games by himself and forget to pound the ball inside to Gasol and Andrew Bynum.

The Suns will counter LA’s advantage in height by getting out in the open court every chance they get. This may be Steve Nash’s last chance to finally reach the Finals.

It’ll be an entertaining series but the Lakers are too determined and motivated to be denied. Lakers in 7.

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Cleveland Cavaliers vs Boston Celtics. The Celtics had an opportunity to steal Game One from the Cavs but they couldn’t find the bucket in the last two minutes. And of course LeBron James scored 12 of his 35 points in the fourth despite playing with a sprained elbow. Boston kept the game close until James and Mo Williams exploded down the stretch. Boston should be confident they weren’t blown out despite Paul Pierce struggling.

Cavs in 6. Cavs lead 1-0

Atlanta Hawks vs Orlando Magic. The Hawks struggled against a Buck team that was missing their talented center. They were beaten in two games by the Bucks perimeter game. Is Joe Johnson still playing? He struggled mightily against the Bucks. Rashard Lewis, Matt Barnes and Vince Carter are tough match-ups for the inconsistent Hawks. Expect Dwight Howard to dominate in the paint after having a miserable series against the Bobcats.

Orlando in 5

Utah Jazz vs Los Angeles Lakers. Phil Jackson is 45-0 in the playoffs when winning the first game of a playoff series. If that wasn’t bad enough for the Jazz check this stat out: Utah hasn’t won in the Staples Center in the last 15 games against the Lakers. Pau Gasol dominated Utah’s smaller frontline in Game One. Either the Jazz add a few inches to their height or they’ll be eliminated by the Lakers again.

Lakers in 6. Lakers lead 1-0

Phoenix Suns vs San Antonio Spurs. This will be another exciting match-up between two teams that know each other all too well in the playoffs. Grant Hill needs to slow down Manu Ginobili. But that still leaves Tony Parker and George Hill to worry about. The Spurs have too may weapons and play superior defense to the Suns. Simply put, the Spurs had the Suns number since the dawn of time. Jason Richardson needs to be more consistent if Phoenix wants to finally get past the Spurs. Channing Frye’s outside shooting will be the x-factor in the series.

Spurs in 5.

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