Celtics Face Lakers in Must Win Game

by FLCeltsFan @ CelticsBlog on Dec 30, 2007 9:32 AM EST in Boston Celtics Games

Boston Celtics (25-3) at Los Angeles Lakers (18-10)

Sunday, December 30
9:30 PM ET
Game #29, Road Game #14
TV: NBA TV HD, RTV, FSN HD, CSN
Sirius 143
Staples Center

Chat l Game Thread

Lakers Coverage Forum Blue and Gold l With Malice

The Celtics- Lakers rivalry is one of the most storied in all basketball. In recent years it just wasn't the same because the Celtics had fallen on hard times. But, with the resurgence of the Celtics this year, we should see the rivalry heat up. The Lakers have been playing well and are 8-2 in their last 10 games. They are 11-4 at home. They will also be looking to avenge their earlier loss to the Celtics at the Garden. Lakers fans are hyped up for this matchup and were chanting "We want Boston" at the end of the Utah game. Ironically, both teams are coming off a win over the Jazz.

This game is about more than basketball. It is about history. Phil Jackson tied Red Auerbach for most victories with the Lakers' win over Utah and the next victory will put him above Red in the standings. We know that it will happen, but it should not happen against the Celtics. Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett are all aware of history and this should be on their minds in this game. If any game is a must win, it is this one.

With the Lakers on a roll and looking for revenge along with the fact that the Celtics are playing in back to back games and the 4th game in 5 nights on the road, it is going to be a tough game, but the Celtics need to find a way to win it. The Celtics are 3-0 on their current road trip but if the Celtics don't beat the Lakers, there will still be questions.

More After the Jump

Probable Starting Matchups

PG Rajon Rondo vs Derek Fisher

SG Ray Allen vs Kobe Bryant

SF Paul Pierce vs Trevor Ariza

PF Kevin Garnett vs Lamar Odom

C Kendrick Perkins vs Andrew Bynum

Key Matchups

Ray Allen PPG 19 | APG 3.2 | 3P% .373
Vs
Kobe Bryant PPG 27.2 | APG 4.9 | 3P% .329
While hopefully Ray Allen will find his shooting touch and will offset Kobe's scoring, I expect to see Pierce and Posey on Kobe on defense and a double team whenever possible.

Kevin Garnett PPG 18.9 | RPG 10.5 | BPG 1.5
Vs
Lamar Odom PPG 14 | RPG 8.9 | BPG 0.5
KG vs Odom should be a good matchup with a lot of physical play in the post. KG totally dominated this matchup in their first matchup and should do so again.

Keys to the Game
Stop Kobe Kobe can single handedly beat a team and so Doc needs to do whatever it takes to stop him and take him out of his game. Pierce should see some time guarding him as should Posey and we should see double teams coming at him whenever he touches the ball.

Defense The Celtics have been winning with their defense but have had lapses at times. The Celtics can't afford to have defensive lapses against the Lakers or they will capitalize on them. For the Celtics to be an elite team, they have to play defense for 48 minutes every game. They must defend Kobe and they have to defend in the paint to prevent the passes inside to Bynum for dunks and alley oops.

Keep their Composure The Lakers have been playing great defense and the Celtics have allowed themselves to get rattled when a team throws tough defenses at them. They will need to keep their composure and not get rattled when the Lakers turn up the heat on defense.

Energy The Celtics are playing in their 4th game in 5 nights on the road and in the second of back to back games. They will be understandably tired, but will need to come out with energy and sustain that energy for 4 quarters. If they let up, the Lakers will take advantage and pull away.

X Factor

Fatigue and Defense

The Celtics need to come out with energy and keep it up the entire game. Fatigue could be a factor and if they aren't hitting jumpers because of tired legs and aren't crashing the boards or hustling for loose balls because they are tired, the Lakers will take advantage and will win this one. The Celtics must play defense the entire game. If they play like they did against the Sonics or Jazz , they may be playing catch up all game and may not have enough at the end to pull it out.

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Comments

how can you hype this as a must win game? it’s our 4th game in 5 nights on the road. Of course I want to win but everything is stacked against us tonight.

by Red2 on Dec 30, 2007 11:02 AM EST reply actions

It is a must win game so that Phil doesn’t pass Red in a win over the Celtics. Just principle.

by FLCeltsFan @ CelticsBlog on Dec 30, 2007 11:05 AM EST reply actions

First, look at that look on KG’s face above.
He looks like the cat that just swallowed the bird.

Second, I didn’t think of this game as being that special or that much of a ‘must win’ game until reading this piece, so thank you.

Now there’s even more of a reason to stay up late.
This game is huge.

by mcpu40 on Dec 30, 2007 11:09 AM EST reply actions

Must win? No. Should win? Yes. Would be great to win? YES!

by LuckyNumber07 on Dec 30, 2007 11:27 AM EST reply actions

Kobe cannot beat anyone single handedly unless the Lakers stay close until the end of the game. We need to get a lead nad protect it, not letting our stars get into an ISO game. If that happens we will likely see an attempt at a repeat Chauncey Billups scenario with Kobe in his place. 8)

by billysan on Dec 30, 2007 11:37 AM EST reply actions

It’s a must win game because the Lakers are considered a top 10 team in the NBA right now. Just like against the Jazz, this will feel like a playoff game.

by DJ to Bird on Dec 30, 2007 11:40 AM EST reply actions

KG swallowed the canary, and he’s going to swallow Odom tonight. The Celts are probably running on fumes right now (after 4 games in 5 days — all on the road), but I’m confident they will find a way to pull this one out and close the year on a high note.

There is NO WAY we can let Phil Jackson surpass Red’s record tonight. What more motivation do we need than to win this one for Red? (And while we’re at it, maybe the Celts should be dedicating THIS season to Red, since this year’s collection of players epitomize the TEAM concept that Red always emphasized.)

The Lakers’ fans chanted “We want Boston”. They should remember that old saying “Be careful what you wish for”.

Here’s what my boys and I will be chanting tonight: BEAT LA! BEAT LA!

by GreenDad on Dec 30, 2007 11:47 AM EST reply actions

My 10-year-old (who is already wearing his Celtics gear in preparation for tonight’s game) wanted to add something:

Kobe Bryant and the Lakers don’t stand a chance against the big three. He doesn’t get any help from his teammates because he is a ball hogger, I have proof because when they were facing the Raptors one day he scored 81 points. The Celtics won 7 more games then the horrible lakers. The celtics won’t have a problem with the lakers.

by GreenDad on Dec 30, 2007 12:07 PM EST reply actions

Why Add unnecessary DRama to a game? Its the lakers stupid! That all we need to know. Phil has to get to the final in the west to have a chance to best Red"s record. Your ploy is a bit of a reach. As any laker-Celtic game this one will be a battle for sure. Let’s go Celtics!!!

by Freeease1 on Dec 30, 2007 12:17 PM EST reply actions

The Lakers are favored by 2-2 1/5. Which may be the first time this season the Celtics are underdogs.
This is certainly an indication of the difficulty of going into an enemy arena against a quality,rested foe, on a four games in 5 nights trip.
The Lakers are laying in wait and are smart enough to understand the circumstances.

by JB_Celticsstuff on Dec 30, 2007 12:19 PM EST reply actions

My Bad I was thinking of NBA Championships not most games won.

by Freeease1 on Dec 30, 2007 12:20 PM EST reply actions

FLCeltsFan,

Good job. Nice piece.

Cs will be dragging arse.

Supporting cast must step up tonight.

Doc needs to get the team to dig deep and pull this one out.

by Woodstock Libertarian on Dec 30, 2007 1:28 PM EST reply actions

Beat LA!

by youngcrv on Dec 30, 2007 1:48 PM EST reply actions

Bynum is turning into a monster, kind of like Dwight Howard.
And he is a major part of why Kobe’s trade demands seem silly now.
The C’s are going to be tired tonight but they need to get this one for Red.

by mcpu40 on Dec 30, 2007 1:56 PM EST reply actions

I hope Doc uses Big Baby again tonight…he was quite effective in Utah…Even if we win,there will be people saying we didn’t beat Phoenix(the Lakers have already beaten them twice) or San Antonio(who just lost at home to a Toronto team that we’ve beaten three times)….So,let’s stop listening to the naysayers and get ready for the playoffs and finals!

by Maxwell Smart on Dec 30, 2007 1:58 PM EST reply actions

A “must win” and I don’t get to watch it…. unless somebody knows of a NBATV feed I can access online…

by Big Ticket on Dec 30, 2007 2:11 PM EST reply actions

Good morning, Celtic fans. Here’s hoping that you all have a terrible evening and restless sleep.

Cheers! ;D

by Exick on Dec 30, 2007 2:39 PM EST reply actions

i would not call this a must game. it’s a fun game much as the pats vs. giants game. i merely want them to give it their best.bynum is a great pick for the lakers. perk has to be ready-pollard too. pp has been well over 40 mins. lately and will get a lot of time on kobe.i hope ray is on his game and kg as well.tony will get some kobe time too.

by nazzbo on Dec 30, 2007 2:58 PM EST reply actions

surprised Bynum vs Perk isn’t getting more attention. Bynum has been on a TEAR recently.

by mikeford on Dec 30, 2007 3:37 PM EST reply actions

This game is no bigger than any other games on the schedule. For me and most Celtic fans, EVERY game is a must win!!! Winning tonight would be huge considering it is the fourth game in five days. A win would remove most doubt (from the doubting thomases) that the Celtics are truly a contender. A lost does not prove anything either way since, like I said, it is 4 games in 5 nights, all on the road. With that said, all that remains to be said is: “BEAT LA”!
P.S.
And do it in convincing fashion!!!!

by scndtony on Dec 30, 2007 4:01 PM EST reply actions

I thought Perk really neutralized Bynum when they met in Boston. Hopefully more of the same tonight. And can someone please teach Perk to go with the change-up and not the fastball when attempting a layup/5ft hook shot? He’s not even catching rim on some of these shots.

by Byrdman on Dec 30, 2007 4:04 PM EST reply actions

If they do beat the Lakers, will there not be questions? Isn’t it safe to say that no matter what the C’s do from now until the end of the year – there will be questions until they either lose in the playoffs or win the whole thing?

Can we stop with the “there will be questions – if” comments before every “big” game? It’s getting ridiculous. Almost as bad as Gumbel saying “he just gets it off” after EVERY snap in last night’s game.

by phaze on Dec 30, 2007 4:35 PM EST reply actions

Phaze nails this right on the head, good job buddy, glad someone seems to get it.

This is our 4th game in 5 nights on this west coast trip. It is in no way a must win and if we lose, this trip is still very much a success. There is going to be questions throughout this season, not matter what we do. If we beat the Lakers, we will be without questions for a week but then if we lose to Detroit Saturday, the questions start up again. Look at the Patriots, they just went 16-0 and they are still being questioned. This game is much more of a measuring stick for the Lakers in my eyes, we need to stop acting as if we are trying to figure out where we stand. We are a championship contender, everyone knows this and the outcome of this game won’t change that either way. However, I do agree that we should win this one for Red, but that is the only reason it is a “must win” game. Everything else even, the pressure is much greater on a Laker team who is trying to assert themselves as an elite team. If they are as such, this is a game they should win. They couldn’t ask for a better time to be playing us.

by modawg3434 on Dec 30, 2007 6:09 PM EST reply actions

I hope Doc uses Big Baby again tonight…he was quite effective in Utah…Even if we win,there will be people saying we didn’t beat Phoenix(the Lakers have already beaten them twice) or San Antonio(who just lost at home to a Toronto team that we’ve beaten three times)….So,let’s stop listening to the naysayers and get ready for the playoffs and finals!

So what! The Spurs lost to the Bucks, who had one of the worst records in the league, twice last year. Still, they managed to win the title. Don’t read anything into a Raptors loss. It’s just one game when the breaks didn’t go their way. Same thing if the Celts lose tonight (or to Houston Wednesday). It’s not the end of the world.

by lemonadesky on Dec 30, 2007 6:29 PM EST reply actions

i agree with modawg3434……
we have been graced by a great celtic team.
win or loose.

by tommyfat on Dec 30, 2007 7:23 PM EST reply actions

Keep the Faith Restore the Pride

by Master Po on Dec 30, 2007 9:29 PM EST reply actions

celtics defeat lakers! ;) another huge win.. tony allen step up for rondo.. great win team..

by alvinf on Dec 31, 2007 12:53 AM EST reply actions

Celtics 110, Lakers 91

Somewhere, Red is lighting up another victory cigar.

by GreenDad on Dec 31, 2007 12:56 AM EST reply actions

Cheap shot of the night goes to Lamar Odom. When did he become an NFL defensive tackle? And what were the officials thinking when they gave Ray Allen a technical after he got knocked into the bench?

I agree with Gary Tanguay: the NBA needs to come down hard with not only a fine, but a suspension for Odom. The league needs to send a message that this type of play has no place in the NBA.

Now, if I can only get the horrible image of those Lakers short shorts out of my head…

by GreenDad on Dec 31, 2007 1:07 AM EST reply actions