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Lakers Return Home To Win Game 3

Posted June 11, 2008

Kobe Bryant returned home Tuesday night to his floor and on his game to save the Lakers from falling into an NBA Finals hole that would take a miracle to get them out of. For the first time in the series Bryant put on an mvp-worthy performance. For L.A. this is what had to be done. No team in the history of the NBA has comeback from a 0-3 deficit. As for a team that is only 2-8 on the road in the post season, the Celtic’s made sure L.A. played an Eastern Conference style game.

Since the teams were announced all I have heard was the Lakers were the better team. I question such a statement considering even when Kobe is producing what is an average display of his abilities they still only win by a 7 point lead, and that was with a surprising appearance by Vujacic, and a disappointing performance on behalf of Garnett and Pierce of the Celtics.

With only one third of the Big Three showing up it was a surprise that it was Ray Allen that brought his a game. Allen who struggled during the playoffs has found his way back in this series turning in 25 points – 15 on 3 pointers – for Boston. The big surprise for most Celtics fans was Garnett scoring only 13 points, shooting only 6 of 21 and Paul Pierce turned in a mediocre 6 points missing 12 shots and remained in foul trouble all night. This was not the same Celtics team we saw in game 1 and 2 of this series and will be pivotal that they can turn in at least one win on the road against L.A.

Only 3 teams in history have been able to come back from a 0-2 deficit. With two more games at home the Lakers have there sights set on being number 4. In post game interviews Doc Rivers had this to say, “Kobe was fantastic but I thought Vujaic was the key to the game.” He said “I said before, we are going to have to win a game when Kobe Bryant plays well. We know that. But when that happens we have to shut off the other avenues.”

Breakdown:

Boston: 11 rebounds, 28 points in the paint, 19 points off turnovers, 9 points off fast breaks. Top Shooters: Allen with 25, Garnett with 13, Perkins with 8.

L.A.: 13 rebounds, 2 Technical Fouls (Bryant and Farmar), 23 points in the paint, 11 points off turnovers, 12 points off fast breaks. Top Shooters: Bryant with 36, Vujacic with 20, Gasol with 9.