NBA Finals Game One

Some final thoughts on Game One. The Lakers were actually the MORE physical team in this game. If they continue to be more physical than the Celtics, this series will not last long. Ron Artest brings that presence to the Lakers. He seems to have made the other Lakers players tougher. The first half of this game, Pau Gasol carries his team with stellar play at both ends, but it was Kobe Bryant who took over, when the game was up for grabs in the 3rd quarter. The Lakers were +11 in the 3rd. There defense was just a little tighter, and Kobe was hitting Kobe-shots. The Celtics struggled to find freedom among LA's defenders and I think a lot had to do with a lack of 3 point presence. Ray Allen spent most of this game on the bench and the Celtics didn't really have another threat with Artest locked on Pierce. The Celtics made a small run early in the 4th, but you could tell the Lakers wanted it more.

I believe the Lakers are the better team in this series, but not by a whole lot. If the Celtics outwork and out-hit the Lakers, they can easily be the dominant team on the floor, but the Lakers matched Boston today in all the intangible categories. If they continue to do so, the Kobe-advantage will continue to shine through.

A positive for the Celtics was the play of Nate Robinson. He was able to stay with the quick guards for LA, where Michael Finley was not. Nate also looked composed handling the ball most of the time, and as the broadcast team pointed out, used his extended dribbling to create looks for his teammates instead of himself. Look for his playing time to increase as this series wears on.

Defensively, I don't know what else the Celtics can do. They should have the size and ability to guard LA straight up with occasional help on Kobe. However they need to play physical, and they need to be quicker inside. Gasol was all over KG in the post. The Lakers didn't even take advantage of that as much as they could have. I'm interested to see how the officiating progresses in this series. I think it took a little away from this game. There were a lot of soft fouls. That could have had a negative impact on the Celtics defense.

I think the Celts will come out intense in Game 2. It's up to LA not to get complacent like they did against the Oklahoma Cities. Something tells me that the Lakers inability to forget 2008 will make them sure to come out firing again in GAme 2.


Here at Lightning in a Bottle, we strive to give you immediate analysis of the most important sporting events in America and abroad (when we're not being lazy or on vacation). So to prove this, I'll be doing a running diary of Game 1 tonight via twitter. Come back later tonight, post game, and I'll put up the entire thing right...



11:53:00 Dozed off for a minute as this game comes towardst he end. 1-0 LA

The Celtics just have to work so hard to get an open look late in this game. They can't turn down open looks when you are down this many

The Celtics letting Kobe in there for the offensive rebound shows that little bit of edge in the fight dept that has meant a lot in this one

You can find this running diary there at the completion of the game. Also stay tuned for a fresh serving of Hot Little Potatoes

I hope you're all checking in on the blog at www.boltinabottle.blogspot.com

But instead a huge play by Artest on the Defensive end. That is why he is here. And all of the sudden momentum is back with the home team

We've stalled here at 13 points and some clock has ticked away. The Celtics need a quick run to get this under 10

Jordan Farmar has had a big influence on this game in limited minutes. That can be a big story in this series

This graphic reminds us that 12 teams did not pick Kobe Bryant in the 1996 draft

That rapping mice commercial was certainly weird.

Nate Robinseon's quickness on the dribble is allowing him to make things happen even from the perimeter and the Celts can cut it to 11

Lead down to 15. Now is the time if there is one

Sheed seems to have picked up the intensity but an unfortunate mishandle between he and Nate

The Lakers look for a spark with Nasty Nate on the floor to start the 4th

Defensively, you just have to take your chances getting the ball out of Kobe's hands and hoping the other Lakers are missing

If Rondo can step up (he's been accused of fading in 4th quarters before) and get back into the paint, they can use the drive and k4 pts

The Celts have had sequences where they've gotten stopped, but without Allen stretching the floor, the collapsing Laker D has struck back

Bos needs Ray Allen on the floor shooting. he's a veteran. It'll be up to him to play conservatively and avoid the fould

So we end the 3rd quarter now in a 20 point game. The Celtics are in a lot of trouble if they don't make a run early. How do they do it?

Fisher makes 100 bucks taking the charge. JVG again brings up the lack of 3 point shooting without Allen (Ray)

Terrible job by Rasheed Wallace with a Technical Foul here. He gives the Lakers a free point, and now it's a 17 point game at a bad time

I agree with Van Gundy about going back to 2-2-1-1-1. If you have home court, and drop 1, you can be quickly dismissed. I'm not a fan

The 3rd quarter has been a big one for Kobe all playoffs as he now has 14 in this 3rd quarter

FIVE fouls now on Ray Allen. He was barely back on the floor. The Celts try to argue it Big Baby's foul

Actually I stand corrected they are now up 13

Somehow the Lakers turned that trading of turnovers into momentum, without actually increasing their lead.

Great court presence by fisher to find Bryant after a tough pass to handle from Artest

Rondo continues to show how comfortable he is in the paint. you may see Bynum and Odom both on the floor at poiints in this series

KG really starting to feel the jumper now. That could be big if the Celtics are to make up ground

Gasol not going to let that flop go unanswered though,a s he goes hard on the offensive boards for a big bucket.

Pau Gasol is surely in the World Cup spirit, as the Spaniard goes flopping, but is called for the foul

The Celtics putting a little pressure on here int he full court. They know they can't let Kobe go into closer mode when the 4th starts

A new comedy with Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg? There goes $10.

Good idea to take the quick time out here by Doc. The Celtics can't let the Lakers go on a run here.

Second look seems he might have got an elbow to the upper body, which should be less of a factor

Rondo came up lame on that last sequence. I think it might be in the quad area. We'll have to keep an eye on it

Big block by Tony Allen. We have had multiple 24 second calls as both teams are playing defense with high intensity

The trade of Eddie House comes to mind to, as Ray Allen sits on the bench. These Celtics are going to need some room to operate

The forgotten part of Posey's game that is no longer with the Celtics is their ability to stretch the half court shooting 3s.

Ray Allen picks up his FOURTH. That will be big, taking away his shooting, and his ability to run defenders all over the court

Beautiful move by Rondo, as he navigates around 3 lakers in the paint. That is where he is at his best

Kobe Bryant is daring Rondo to shoot a long 2 or 3. We'll see if he starts trying it out as this goes on

Another very soft foul called by the officials, and Fisher picks up his 3rd as well. Ray Allen's 2 FT are sure to go down easy

All 10 starters on the floor, so we'll have to watch the fouls. Perkins and Artest already have added foul number 3

And we'r back, Fisher bringing it up the floor, Byum gets the foul but the ball rolls off the rim...eventually...

The other story of the 1st half, Jordan Farmar and Shannon Brown heavily outplaying Nasty Nate and especially Michael Finley

His foot quickness court vision on offense, and his discipline on defense have made him a force in this first half. to the 2nd half!

The story of the first half is Pau Gasol. He is the difference in this game. Gasol had to play major minutes with Lamar Odom in foul troub

50-41 at the half. The game has certainly been competitive and physical, though the officials have had a big part in taming it

BIG shot by Rondo to send this game to 1/2

The Celtics hold for pretty much last shot, but the Lakers have a foul to give. They'll have a couple seconds to shoot

And there he is again, doing what 2008 Rondo couldn't, showing a beautiful short jumper
about 2 hours ago via web
Big bucket by Fisher, who seems spritely since returning, and we see a double digit lead just as the Bolt joins the live programming

Big Throwdown as Boston tries to stop the Laker momentum, with KG running the floor

His positioning is so sound and KG does not have the quickness anymore to shake him. Gasol is too disciplined to go for simple fakes

Pau Gasol has been phenomenal defensively!

of all people, it's Ron Artest that runs up 5 straight points, and the Lakers finally see some separation.

The teams exchange interior defensive feats before Kobe draws a foul down the Celtic's end. NBA playoff basketball is top notch

Time is just disappearing as we stay in this Lakers by 2-4 area. Big chance here for LA to extend after a big Defensive stand

Big shot from KG. If he can get confident shooting, that would be big. He obviously didn't have the moves to gain separation from Gasol

Andrew Bynum taking my criticism to heart and playing with a renewed fervor in the 2nd quarter

Congratulations to Ray Allen on his 1 millionth shot dropping clean through the net off a screen

The Lakers showing they can pass inside, though they don't have the same hands in there with Bynum on the floor. He comes up big here

Would love to see a jumping contest between Nate and Shannon Brown. Maybe that will be the halftime show

REALLY soft foul on Nasty Nate in the backcourt. This game is being called incredibly type. That will be trouble with the physical play

Ray Allen needs to stay out of foul trouble. He makes a big difference wearing out the Laker defenders

The Lakers had trouble scoring at times without Kobe against Phx, but the young guards are changing that

Sheed far more effective against Gasol than KG, but no one can stay in front of Shannon brown. He and farmar have been a nice spark

HUGE 3rd foul on Lamar Odom, as I've been heavily critical on Bynum

Rondo misses both free throws. That's something he is going to need to work on a lot this off season if he wants to be the top PG

Rondo doing a great job on the boards. Seems the Lakers early on are more willing to use their bench than they were in the Suns series

Rasheed Wallace opening the bank after hours

Here is Nate Dawg already to start the 2nd, just like I advised Doc. Van Gundy points out that they probably have not played 2gether much

That and the fact that the refs are calling a real tight game. I believe 2 players a side have 2 fouls already.

So after one quarter the only thing that really sticks out is that the Lakers are matching the Physical intensity

These guards off the bench from LA are so quick. You might see more Nate Robertson than Michael Finley as this series wears on

That's a huge 2nd foul on Kobe Bryant. It was definitely a bump, even though Pierce was hooking a little. PP back to the line

If I ever need my knee drained, I want to go to Kobe's knee draining guy

For those that are unsure, feel free to continue to refer to Glen Davis as Big Baby. Doc Rivers was on PTI and gave us all the okay.

Phil Jackson strongly emphasized taking charges in practice this week. According to a report I read, Pau Gasol just made himself 100 bucks

A lot of missed free throws early for the Lakers. I imagine that'll level out ast he game goes on. Big play by Gasol, taking the charge

Very poor choice by Tony Allen on the interior pass, followed by a very athletic play by Odom to force some free throws

Always easy to find Shannon Brown when he is flying 5 feet above the ground.

2 fouls on Ron Artest and Kobe Bryant will guard pierce, Farmar on rondo. I actually don't mind Farmar or Brown on Rondo

Lamar Odom instantly making himself known on the floor

Game 2 is not until Sunday!!! And they are not even Travelling! the NBA continues to be ridiculous

Great interior passing by the Celtics. That'll cause foul trouble for Bynum with his limited lateral mobility

Paul Pierce out to prove there is more than one sharp shooter on the floor in this series

Awesome story about Doc hiding the money of the players in the staples center, and here they are to get it back

Gasol is going to be a tough matchup for KG's old knees in this version of Lakers/Celtics

Rajon is going to have Kobe running all over the half court. We'll see how many open looks he gets when Kobe gets lazy away from the ball

Especially when Odom is on the floor, the Lakers are so versatile: inside to outside. But Rondo is showing his new balanced game.

Andrew Bynum looks like a statue. Only a matter of time before Odom. Big early shot for artest

artest already a defensive presence with an early steal

two early fouls. could be a problem for the offense, but the lakers have plenty of offense. sasha should be a big boost defensively

Have to agree with jeff van gundy. no need for double techs on that play

and it takes about 30 seconds for Paul Pierce and Ron Artest to go out it. This will certainly be an interesting battle.

and the tip off for bolt is at 9:28. Just a slight delay on DVR. we'll be up to speed in no time


-APT