Thoughts on Game 5
Why the Lakers won Game 5? Here’s why…
Lakers showed off their Big Three
Finally the Lakers got production from Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol in unison. They were outscored 67 to 64, but it was close enough to make a role players’ game and the Lakers won the battle 39 to 31. Boston’s top two role players, Kendrick Perkins and Rajon Rondo, are banged up and L.A. took advantage.
Backs against the wall
The Lakers are the mouse in the corner and they have no choice but to fight. And they did. They were extremely physical against a beat up Boston team and they took advantage early and late in a game they had to win. Their energy was huge again and this time despite another Boston comeback they held on in Game 5.
Garnett foul trouble
Kevin Garnett picked up quick fouls because the Lakers attacked the rim. Gasol and Odom were extremely physical with Perkins out of the lineup. That put a lot of pressure on Garnett and he picked up two quick fouls and was a non-factor the whole game because of the fear of fouling out. The Lakers got big hoops at the rim because of it.
Kobe aggressive at the start
I think this is imperative that Kobe gets going first. The Lakers cannot afford to allow Kobe to coast into any more games. The Celtics’ defense gets better as the game goes along. Hence coming back from two large deficits in Games 4 and 5 and Kobe being held to 10 points after scoring 15 in the first quarter. Those 15 points got the Lakers in a better groove than they had when they did it without him in Game 4.
Picking up 94 feet
The key to beating Boston is to make them use a lot of the shot clock getting into their offense and the Lakers have done a great job in the last two games. This takes away options offensively for the Celtics and has forced Paul Pierce to run the offense, which will tire him eventually if this series goes to a seventh game.
Star of the game: Pau Gasol took advantage of not having to battle Perkins and Garnett because of injury and foul trouble. He had his best stat line of the series: 19 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 blocks. This will have to continue if the Lakers want to win in Boston.
Turning point: Kobe Bryant’s gamble defensively on Paul Pierce was huge. If he does not execute that defensive move, Boston probably ties the game and we could be talking about the Celtics winning another banner today.
Unsung heroes: Derek Fisher and Jordan Farmar share the honors in Game 5. Fisher’s 15 points helped the Lakers role players have a plus 8 in scoring and Farmar’s pressure defense on Sam Cassell and Eddie House forced Doc Rivers to use Pierce and Allen to bring the ball up the court.
Who needs to step up in Game 6?
Boston Celtics:
Leon Powe and PJ Brown have to play huge in Game 6. Kendrick Perkins takes up space and allows Garnett to guard Odom. The Celtics signed Brown for this sole purpose and he has to play big and consistent. Powe teased everyone with a huge game early in the series and has disappeared since.
Rajon Rondo has given into injury and confidence issues. The Celtics need his energy at home. That’s the difference between a Paul Pierce on a bad knee and a young player with a tender ankle. Experience means everything.
Los Angeles Lakers:
Sasha Vujacic has struggled after a great Game 3. He needs to find his rhythm and bring productivity off the bench in Game 6.
Vladimir Radmanovic is due to have a huge game. He does not get many looks, but look for him to get some shots in Game 6 if he can stay out of foul trouble.
Game 6 strategy
Boston Celtics:
- Get off to a good start in the first quarter.
- Get Rondo to attack the rim early against Kobe Bryant’s scrambling defense.
- Post Garnett early. They seem to get great looks when they do.
- Continue to squeeze Bryant and make things difficult.
Los Angeles Lakers:
- They will look to speed the game up with Boston looking like the tired team.
- They must get some production from Radmanovic and will look to maybe work.
- Paul Pierce early on the defensive end.
- Kobe coming out ultra aggressive to settle the young Lakers.
- Attack Garnett especially if Perkins is out for Game 6.
Prediction
It’s hard to fathom the Lakers pulling off two wins in Boston, but they can definitely get Game 6 if they get off to the kind of start they have in the last two games. Bryant still has not had the type of game megastars
have to secure a huge win and he is definitely due. The Celtics know that they need to finish this off now or they face the challenge of having to win a Game 7 with a tired, beat up team.
I expect the energy to be ferocious with the hyped crowd and if the Celtics keep it close in the first quarter, they will win by double digits.
The Celtics will celebrate in Game 6 and make me look as if I knew what I was talking about in my preview article.
2 Play » Blog Archive » Thoughts on Game 5 Said,
June 16, 2008 @ 5:25 pm
[...] Thoughts on Game 5 …his best stat line of the series: 19 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 blocks. … Leon Powe and PJ Brown have to play huge in Game 6. [...]
Brandon Hoffman Said,
June 16, 2008 @ 6:28 pm
Eddie,
I think for the first time in this series, the pressue is on Boston.
They came in as the underdogs and have played with a chip on their shoulder because of that.
We’ll see if they have that extra edge in Game 6.
Despite homecourt advantage, I think the Lakers would be the favorite in Game 7.
Good blog.
Matt Said,
June 16, 2008 @ 6:32 pm
What I don’t get Eddie is that you are one of the smartest bloggers on the internet about basketball and I barely disagree with you, and yet Jemele Hill has a job with ESPN, and she writes terrible articles and has one of the worst perspectives on basketball I’ve ever seen.
Matt Said,
June 16, 2008 @ 6:33 pm
What I don’t get Eddie is that you are one of the smartest bloggers on the internet on basketball and you have a really good perspective, and yet Jemele Hill has a job for ESPN, and she has a terrible perspective on basketball.
Jacob Said,
June 16, 2008 @ 7:05 pm
eddie you always know what your talking about lol minus the whole suns love because they are soft and finese (same problem with the lakers)
Conor Neu Said,
June 16, 2008 @ 8:12 pm
It frustrates me that people are celebrating that gamble Kobe took for that steal. 9 times out of 10 that will be called for a foul, yet I’ve heard many people praise his play there and say how great it was. In my opinion he got lucky, was probably given some superstar leeway on the call, and does not deserve the credit on that one. The fact that it basically won the game for them should not make it a better play, but only a luckier no-call.
Derek Said,
June 16, 2008 @ 11:21 pm
Lakers in seven, Garnett will get into foul trouble guarding Gasol and Kobe will be stronger in Boston because he has seen every look Boston can throw at him and he will execute against whatever they throw at him over the next two games.
Mark Said,
June 17, 2008 @ 1:31 am
So now there is 2 game deciding no-calls the Lakers have got away with…… Yesterdays Kobe steal and D-Fishers bump at the buzzer against the Spurs. All while the league is trying to argue that there officials are not purposely influencing the outcome of games?? Is Donahagy the real mongrel we are all led to believe or is there some substance to his story??
Lamont Gridiron Said,
June 17, 2008 @ 1:34 am
Whats happen’n…
Your perspecitive and analysis for game 6 is correct. In my opinion, the difference was the missed 2 freethrows by Garnett. If he hit both, the game is tied. And the way Boston, was playing defense, they may have gotten a stop, scored, then won the championship. Both wins by the Lakers haven’t convinced me they are going to win in Boston. I believe they have been lucky, not good, lucky.
This series has been great! Game 6 will be a wild one.
LAKERS and Suns in 08-09!!
Lamont
Stavros Said,
June 17, 2008 @ 3:48 am
Somehow I still believe in a Lakers 4-3 win. The Lakers are a better team which seems to be asleep.
Dr. J-Water Said,
June 17, 2008 @ 7:41 am
With Perkins out; Garnett, Powe, and PJ Brown have got to be huge down there. If I were Doc, i’d use Garnett as little as possible on Pau to avoid early foul trouble again.
If the Celts do decide to go small they better pick up the defensive intensity and fill the lanes, possibly look for some run and gun opportunities with Allen, House, Posey.
Porky Said,
June 17, 2008 @ 9:22 am
While Kobe steaks his reputation tonight, the others will dry up like a dehydrated BB and the Celts will go onto the final victory.
Be there.
Jacob Said,
June 17, 2008 @ 10:05 am
haha i will be there!
good point about garnett not guarding pau, i also agree with that philosophy, the only thing bad with it is that pau is more offensively gifted then odom and it would almost be a waste to have garnett guard the choke artist formly known as lamar odom.
Michael Bennett Said,
June 17, 2008 @ 10:37 am
Doc Rivers’ nerve failed him - starting Powe was a HUGE mistake. His lack of size let the Lakers get started early, getting offensive rebound after offensive rebound. It was an uphill battle the rest of the way, an even though game 4 proved that the Celtics are ready for that challenge, it’s not the ideal position to be in early in the game.
I was ready to swallow my foot after Kobe’s first quarter. Like many people, I do the 1st Quarter times four bit. I was thinking that Kobe was going to get crazy and get 60 in this game. Too bad reality set in and he shot a dismal 38% from the field when the Celtics decided to actually guard him on the perimeter. Yes, he had the game clinching play (I would NEVER argue a late game no-call - MJ had the ultimate late game no-call), but Kobe didn’t play the entire 48 minutes. He had a great 1st Quarter, and a good finish, but he ‘wet the bed’ the rest of the game. His teammates didn’t.
Please tell me that everyone knows that this years Finals, the great Lakers vs. Celtics matchup, is far exceeding anyone’s expectations. This Finals has been fantastic!
Jacob Said,
June 17, 2008 @ 10:53 am
finals have been great, as for kobe wetting the bed? why cant it be the celtics great defense, they have shown all year long that no one can defeat that defense, probably not even jordan in his day. this defense is great.
you cant blame doc for starting the strongest player off his bench in place of perkins, powe is an efficient rebounder and the early start had more to do with kobe on fire and the lakers playing with urgency, but tonight the celtics will be the urgent team and that crowd will be bananas.
Michael Bennett Said,
June 17, 2008 @ 11:29 am
No defense could stop Jordan in his prime. No one. That’s fact. It’s science. So, stop the Kobe/MJ comparisons. For sanity’s sake.
And, you said it, Jacob. Powe is ‘the strongest player off his bench’ (even though I think House is the best off the bench). Off the bench. They need the boost he provides coming into the game late 1st Quarter or 2nd Quarter, NOT starting. PJ Brown would have been the smarter choice, the choice that Doc will go with tonight (I guarantee), and Powe would have been more effective. Because of Powe’s bad start, he sat the rest of the game. He played a total of 5 minutes. That’s Doc admitting he made a mistake. So, Jacob, stop being disagreeable for the sake of argument. You make yourself look dumb.
Celtics247.com » Blog Archive » Today’s Links 6/17 Said,
June 17, 2008 @ 11:40 am
[...] be overlooked Dog Reader Game Five: It’s difficult being a Lakers’ fan Hoopshype Thoughts on game 5 AFP Historic title could put Kobe legacy with Jordan, Shaq Long flight, little rest sets big test [...]
C Fatz Said,
June 17, 2008 @ 12:10 pm
It’s clear that Phil Jackson is getting out Phil Jacksoned by Doc Rivers. Phirst Paul Pierce leaves the floor in a wheelchair - a WHEELCHAIR! Then Rajon Rondo can’t play but does anyway. Next Kendrick Perkins can play, but doesn’t. NOW RAY ALLEN’S DAUGHTER’S ILLNESS IS AN ISSUE IN WHETHER HE’LL BE ABLE TO PLAY. Not to mention Doc coming to Kobe Bryant’s defense in the papers Sunday. He’s done everything but have his star player refuse to go in the game the way Phil orchestrated Scottie Pippens in the 95 conference finals. The only trick left for Phil Jackson to pull is maybe announce Andrew Bynum as the starter for game 6…it’s too late even for that. This doesn’t happen very often so enjoy it - right now Doc owns the zenmaster.
Oh, like you said before Eddie Cs in 6
CF
:0)
Jacob Said,
June 17, 2008 @ 12:41 pm
why wouldn’t ray allen play? and perkins is playing.
Jacob Said,
June 17, 2008 @ 12:44 pm
you will look dumb when perkins is starting not pj brown… your not from mass so dont act like you know the celtics better than i do. i am a season ticket holder btw and follow this team like its my job (only its not and thats where i envy you eddie)
and doc doesn’t bench people cuz he made a mistake, he took powe out becasue he was ineffective. Which will happen from game to game with bench players. if hes not doing anything, doc will make a change(like any coach)
just because you have a hatred of kobe doesn’t mean hes a bad player like you constantly try to point out, get off your agenda. and by saying “even jordan wouldn’t tear up the celtics defense” is more a comment to the celtics great d, not comparing kobe to mj.
gawd your so stupid.
Jacob Said,
June 17, 2008 @ 1:12 pm
offensive rebounding stats for the playoffs:
PJ Brown: .7 ORPG
Leon Powe : 1.4 ORPG
frank Said,
June 17, 2008 @ 1:16 pm
Eddie,
Good analysis. I disagree with Vlade Rad and Vujucic being the keys to the Lakers winning this game. Vlade has not been that productive all season, and starts because of his size and ability to spread the floor with at least the the threat of making a three pointer. Unfortunately, Luke Walton is undertalented and appears to be in a brain fog so the only alternatives at small forward are Trevor Ariza and sliding either Vujucic or Kobe over to try to slow down Pierce.
Why Phil is not playing Trevor Ariza more is a mystery to Laker fans, but one has to assume that he is not physically all together yet. At the end of game 5 the Lakers used Farmar and Fisher as the guards and slid Kobe over to the 3, so Phil does not apparently have confidence in either Vujucic, Walton, or Ariza to try to counterbalance Paul Pierce who looks like the finals MVP at this moment.
Vujucic and Radmonovic are kind of like wild cards in a Poker game, you can’t count on them but when they show up they can give you a winning hand. Lakers fans never count on them, but are pleased when they show up.
The Lakers success since the Gasol trade has really revolved around Gasol, Odom, and Radmanovic outplaying their frontcourt opponents with Gasol as the focal point of the offense. The Celtics have done a better job than anyone in the playoffs of physically dominating the Lakers inside with the exception of game 5.
To me the two keys to the game are:
1) How physically sound are the Celtics? If they have the full team, they will be tough to beat. If Rondo and Perkins continue to be limited physically, the Lakers have a shot. Perkins in particular has really played good physical defense that Lamar has not had an answer for.
2) Is the officiating going to be even or heavily skewed towards the home team as it was for the Celts in game 2 and towards the Lakers in game 3? By the way, the “great” play that was the turning point in game 5 by Kobe was a foul. At the Garden, it is hard for me to believe that that play wouldn’t have been called a foul on Kobe.
I think that with all the attention given the officiating that we will see an evenly called game tonight.
Michael Bennett Said,
June 17, 2008 @ 1:16 pm
Eddie’s Blog Stat For Jacob:
Moronic Comments: 15 in the last twenty minutes
Jacob Said,
June 17, 2008 @ 4:17 pm
michael bennett, whos starting? real quick?
anthony Said,
June 17, 2008 @ 4:52 pm
did Eddie just call the Lakers a “mouse”? The strongest team out of the Western Conference is a “mouse”.
anthony Said,
June 17, 2008 @ 4:54 pm
Does KG still think the Lakers are a mess? Screw him.
Go Lakers!
Wow Lakers Fans Said,
June 17, 2008 @ 9:35 pm
How delusional you are. 3-1 is a death sentence against the Lakers. It’s just great how they’ll have to fly back tonight or tomorrow morning to LA after flying to Boston yesterday. HAHA!
From the start it should have been obvious the Celtics were far superior. I’ll give you an example. During the regular season the Celtics won the first game. Then they had a grueling 4 games in 5 nights in the west coast where the Lakers were last and they were facing a tired Celtics team. What happened? The Lakers still got blown out. This was despite the fact that Tony Allen started for the injured Rondo.
The Celtics lead in ALL defensive categories. Their offense is in the top five in the league. How did any of you expect the Lakers to win?
Cman Said,
June 18, 2008 @ 12:56 am
You called it correct. You are the man. Celtics are the best!
Metin Kirhan Said,
June 18, 2008 @ 1:59 am
I’ve just copied my opinion before the first game of the final series.
Metin Kirhan Said,
June 3, 2008 @ 1:02 am
Celtics don’t lose at home and Lakers are also strong at home. So this series can go to game 7; BUT i guess Celtics will pull out a win in one of three consecutive Staples Center Games. So they’ll finish it in game six. Let’s see if the Leprechaun will help them again :))
4-2 Celts
That means I was right…
Jacob Said,
June 18, 2008 @ 5:38 am
wanna cookie metin? im sure ur not the only one perdicted celts in six, most of my fellow celtic fans and i predicted in six, after watching first four we were shocked it even went to 6…
all in all…. pj brown did not start (michaell bennette) and only one team last night has to go back to the drawing board…
this town needs a parade lol… not really since weve had enough, but it will be bananas like the streets of boston were last night.
C Fatz Said,
June 18, 2008 @ 7:56 am
Hey Jacob it’s going to be allright. Your team won, enjoy it you don’t need to go off on Metin and Bennett.
Take a deep breath and repeat, the Celts did what the Pats didn’t, they brought a championship to Boston.
Peace Dude.
CF
:0)
Porky Said,
June 18, 2008 @ 8:50 am
Its over. We won. Defense beat offense.
Eddie was one of the FEW analysts saying Celts would win. Well, he was right and they were wrong!!
Pride is restored to Beantown.
Be there…I was there and will never forget it.
Porky
George J Said,
June 18, 2008 @ 9:22 am
Hail to Eddie. You were right about the Celts. Looking forward to the off season.
Jacob Said,
June 18, 2008 @ 12:36 pm
im not a pats fan… the only team i like in boston is the celtics. that still doesn’t excuse the fact that people make thoughtless comments.
Metin Kirhan Said,
June 18, 2008 @ 12:41 pm
Hey Jacob,
Let me clarify something. I’m not a Celtics fan. I’m not a fan of any team, I just like some players more tan others. So, it is easy for a Celtics fan to make a prediction, because you add your emotions, but it is not that easy to predict the exact result.
Besides, I didn’t say “I knew the impossible”, because when we exclude two results (4-0 for Celtics and Lakers), there remains a couple of results to predict. So it is not a big deal to make the correct prediction, but I explained briefly why it should be 4-2.
Whatever… Congratulations Celtics Franchise…
C Fatz Said,
June 18, 2008 @ 2:58 pm
Whew!!
We MUST do this again next year.
Eddie, Sign me up
dj hott Said,
June 18, 2008 @ 8:48 pm
lamar odom,bynum,j.farmar 2nd pick
for dirk,d.george,t.lue
c.anthony to phoenix for barbosa,diaw&15pick
z.randolph,e.curry&6pick for yao&alston
houston
g-m.james g-aaron brooks
g-oj mayo g-l.head
f-tmac f-battier
f-zbo f-scola
c-e.curry c-23pick-j.dorsey 6′7.5
nyk
g-marbury g-r.alston
g-crawford g-n.robinson
f-qrich f-j.jeffries
f-d.lee f-r.balkman
c-yao c j.james
suns
g-nash g-d.strawberry
g-bell g-a.tucker
f-c.anthony f-g.giracek
f-a.stoudemire f-g.hill
c-s.oneal c-b.skinner
denver
g-iverson26 7 g-a.carter fc-m.speights or if augustine slips to 15
g-barbosa-18 g-jr smith12
f-diaw-12 8 f-l.kleiza9
f-nene 11 9 f-k.mart8 7
c-camby 14 13 c-k.koufos
lakers
g-d.fisher 11ppg g-jamont gordon
g-k.bryant 26ppg g-vujacic
f-v.radmonovic 8 f-ariza
f-d.nowitzki 20 8 f-walton
c-gasol 17 8 c-turiaf
mavs
g-kidd
g-terry
f-smoky etc
f-odom f-bass
c-bynum c-dampier
Jacob Said,
June 19, 2008 @ 4:09 am
already blowing up the lakers? even after vegas as them 2-1 to win it all next year?
space Said,
June 19, 2008 @ 9:43 am
HOTT… no
the lakers lost the series without their starting center. are you insane. while some of the combos are interesting, and adding dirk would be nice– the lakers lost because they had no interior. bynum back and a healthy team that doesn’t disappear can easily get them back into the finals next year.