NBA Finals Game Six

As I've said, analysis runs pretty shallow at this point in a series. Tonight's game was about energy. The Lakers were able to come home to the Staples Center, in front of what is sometimes an indifferent crowd, and generate the kind of energy to carry them to a huge victory. You could feel the Lakers energy and tenacity in the way their defense played, the way they rebounded, the way their bench played. The Celtics, on the other hand, were pretty complacent. About half way through the 3rd quarter, it became a matter of going through the motions and waiting for Game 7.

Three reasons the Lakers won.

1. Kobe had help: and he got it from a variety of sources. The Laker's bench outscored their Boston counterparts 24-0 during the minutes that mattered. They got scoring from Gasol, from Artest, a big all around contribution from Odom. Kobe came on strong in the first quarter with 11, but was able to cede some of the responsibility to his teammates later on.

2. The Lakers got back to playing inside. Andrew Bynum was much more mobile, Pau Gasol was spectacular early on.

3. Defense, defense, defense. LA held Boston to an NBA Finals low 67 points in the game. The Laker defense must have been on the same plane as that kid that accidentally ended up in Cleveland, because it was non-existent through most of the time in Boston. The Lakers looked revitalized in Game 6.

This was pretty much a throwback to Game 1, except the Lakers didn't need foul trouble to assist them. They were able to take the Celtic stars out of the game simply by playing tight on ball defense, constantly disrupting the rhythm of the offense. Pierce, Allen and Garnett all hit some open shots, but none were ever able to find a flow and it showed on the scoreboard. The Celtics were missing Kendrick Perkins, who sprained his knee fighting for a rebound in the 3rd quarter. It'll be important to track his health going into Game 7. He provides a defensive presence and a physicality inside, not to mention, much needed depth, when dealing with the Laker big men.

Some things to look for as we end this series.:

1. The team that has won the rebound battle has won every game of this series.

2. The team that has won the first quarter has won every game of this series.

3. In each game in this series, there has been a substantial contribution from the bench for the winning team. There is no mistaking the star power in this NBA Final, but it has been that extra push that has made the different game-in and game out. Shannon Brown in Game 1, Nate Robinson and Big Baby in Game 4, Lamar Odom in Game 6. The bench has been key all series.

As always, 3 things the Celtics need to do for Game 7:

1. Establish a 3 point threat. I feel like I've been saying this after every Celtic loss. It is no coincidence that when the Celtics don't hit 3s, the Lakers defense begins to smother them. The Lakers length is tremendously effective when they are able to collapse into the paint. If the Celtics can't show the threat of 3-point shooting, they will be dealing with twice the defensive team that they would have otherwise. They may get a minor blessing with Rasheed in the starting 5 rather than Perkins, as his jump shooting can stretch the Laker D if he shows it early. Ray Allen doesn't have to be what he was in Game 2, but he has to be some kind of a threat. Rajon Rondo is not a 3 point shooter, but he has to show that 2 point jumper that he worked on in the off season. If he can plant a few early, he will have much more room to operate in the paint. He can't allow Kobe to play 10 feet away from him, it creates too much traffic in the paint.

2. Get to the foul line. The fouls called have been mostly even in this series, but the Lakers end up at the line far more often. The Celtics have to be more aggressive on the attack in the lane and get to the line. Paul Pierce has to create. He has been guarded very well for about 2/3 of the series, but he can't let that render him inept. If he can't get a clean shot, he has to create contact.

3. Play with energy. This is not Boston anymore, and the Staples Center was rocking tonight. The Celtics have to come out with the kind of energy they had in Boston. They are a great road team, taking Game 2 of the series already. They have to show that ability to erase a home court advantage, to disrupt the interaction of the home team and crowd. They need to run when given the opportunity, but not be afraid to play the half court, slow the game down, and create impatience among the LA faithful. The Lakers were the better team in Game 6, but they also were the more aggressive, physical, tenacious, working team. These teams can match talent for talent. Finding that energy will bring the championship home.


-APT