Boston @ Los Angeles Lakers GameThread, Dec 25, 2008 5:00 PM EST

Celtics at Lakers in Much Awaited Finals Rematch

by FLCeltsFan on Dec 25, 2008 1:00 PM EST Comment 51 comments

Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Lakers, Dec 25, 2008 5:00 PM EST

Boston Celtics (27-2) at Lakers (23-5)
December 25
5:00 PM ET
Game #30, Road Game #12
TV: ABC
Staples Center

Lakers Blogs With Malice l Forum Blue and Gold l Respect Kobe

The long awaited rematch between the Lakers and the Celtics is finally here. Before these this game even begins, Phil Jackson has already started making excused for his team since they just got back from a 4 game road trip and will be tired and won't have time to prepare for the Celtics. The Celtics for their part are saying that this is just another game and they are preparing for it just like any other game. No excuses from the Celtics who also had to travel and are playing on the road on Christmas day.

Pierce always looks forward to these games against the Lakers and we can expect a big game out of him in front of his family and friends. Last season, the Celtics swept the series in the regular season and played without Rondo in the game out in LA. Both teams have their starting lineups intact and both may be missing one bench player so there are no excuses either way because of player injuries.

With the win against the Knicks Phil Jackson passed Red Auerbach for the most games coached. With the win in New Orleans he moved within 1 of getting 1000 wins. If he reaches that milestone in the next 12 games, he would pass Pat Riley as the fastest to reach 1000 wins. Hopefully the Celtics will deprive him of his milestone one more game.

There were questions as to whether the Hawks and Celtics is a rivalry and whether the Knicks and Celtics is a rivalry but there is no question whatsoever that the Celtics and Lakers are a rivalry and Celtics and Lakers fans all over the world have had this game circled since the schedule came out. The Celtics will want to send a message to the Lakers and the Lakers definitely want some payback. This should be a very intense game.

The Lakers have one of the most explosive offenses in the league while the Celtics have one of the stingiest defenses in the league. If the Celtics can play their game, their defense should win out over the Lakers' offense but too often in the playoffs, the Celtics failed to play their game and bring their defense on the road. Then again, this is a more focused Celtics team than the one that played in the Finals. We know one thing. The Lakers would desperately love to end the Celtics streak and the Celtics had better be ready for a fight.

Probable Starting Matchups
vs
Rajon Rondo PPG 11.3 RPG 5.00 APG 7.5 EFF + 19.04
Derek Fisher PPG 11.2 RPG 2.60 APG 3.3 EFF + 12.04

vs
Ray Allen PPG 18.8 RPG 3.50 APG 2.6 EFF + 17.14
Kobe Bryant PPG 25.8 RPG 5.40 APG 4.2 EFF + 22.92

vs
Paul Pierce PPG 18.5 RPG 5.80 APG 3.8 EFF + 17.79
Luke Walton PPG 2.9 RPG 1.40 APG 1.5 EFF + 3.50

vs
Kevin Garnett PPG 16.3 RPG 9.10 APG 2.8 EFF + 22.19
Pau Gasol PPG 17.5 RPG 9.30 APG 3.4 EFF + 23.24

vs
Kendrick Perkins PPG 9.1 RPG 8.50 APG 1.3 EFF + 14.79
Andrew Bynum PPG 12.3 RPG 8.60 APG 1.8 EFF + 17.92

Key Matchups:
Kevin Garnett vs Pau Gasol
Kendrick Perkins vs Andrew Bynum
The Lakers are #1 in the league in points in the paint and the Celtics are #4. It will be up to KG and Perk to protect the paint and keep the Lakers from getting easy baskets. These will be interesting matchups since Bynum didn't play in the Finals and all we heard was that if Bynum had played it would have been a different series. Perk has played well against Bynum in the past and KG matches up better with Gasol than Perk does. Defense in the paint is the key to these matchups. The Lakers have been called soft by their media and fans and they will want to disprove this as they go up against one of the toughest frontcourts in the league.

Honorable Mention
Ray Allen vs Kobe Bryant
Although we can expect to see Pierce on Kobe some of the time, it goes without saying that slowing Kobe is one of the keys to stopping the Lakers. It will fall on Ray and sometimes Pierce to get that job done.

Keys to the Game
Contain Kobe
Defense - Both in the Paint and on the Perimeter
Limit Turnovers
Bench Contributions
Keep their Focus

X-Factors
Statement vs Revenge
The Celtics will be looking to make a statement vs the Lakers while the Lakers will be looking to avenge their Finals' losse to the Celtics. It is a toss up as to which team wants it more.

Home vs Road
The Celtics struggled on the road in the playoffs as they seemed to lose their focus, especially on the defensive end away from the Garden. Will the Celtics be able to maintain that focus on the road on this trip?

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Comments

Its a hell of a game tonight..

Its shakin my Nerves!!
Added the fact that i couldnt watch the games due to internet breakdown here in my place, so i will just follow it through Yahoo Play by Play.

Go Celtics!! Make our xmass green!!

by spoiled on Dec 25, 2008 1:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

it will be interesting to see how much the lack of Posey hurts us

because this is when its gonna show up. And please don’t give me any of this get over him business. This realy is when we will get a hint of how much not having a 6’8" shooter who is a fine defender hurts us.i watched the entire sereis on nba tv last night. Without Posey we don’t win. Bottom line: Has Rondo’s improvement, a healthier TA and Perk, and some improvement from Powe enough to offset the loss of Posey and a healthier Laker squad so that we can win in a different way? I say yes. I sure hope we play well

by wahz on Dec 25, 2008 2:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I dont agree

I dont think you put a whole lot of stock into this one game, it’s not like we would deffinetly win today if we still had Posey, Im pretty sure his team lost by 30 today…I watched the whole series on nbatv last night too and James Posey was great, but it was all iniated by Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, who at times were completely dominant in that series, no more so than in the 2nd half of game 4, where paul pierce guarded Kobe the entire quarter and did a majority of the ballhandling with ray…it was sensational..

by TheAncientRivalry on Dec 25, 2008 3:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think it’ll be a telling game if both sides perform well. If one or both do not, then it won’t tell much.

by Who on Dec 25, 2008 5:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Another key matchup - Rondo vs Fisher and Vujacic vs House

Fisher has slowed to the point of being nearly one-dimensional, shooting long jumpers and making a decent percentage when open. Defensively, he can’t keep up with quicker guards like Rondo.

I see this as the biggest Celtic advantage, because with the rest of the Celt’s passing abilities the Lakers won’t be able to help adequately on defense.

House is having a better season than Vujacic (particulary recently):
FG% 3p% FT% RPG APG PPG
House: .410 .389 .920 1.8 1.3 7.7
Vujacic: .385 .391 .846 1.5 1.4 5.0

by nba is the worst on Dec 25, 2008 3:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Sasha v. Eddie?

Think I’d rather watch Ray taking Sasha to school again. Over and over again.

by Thruthelookingglass on Dec 25, 2008 3:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I’m looking for a big game from Perk. My guess is that he’s watched Bynum get all the press for what Bynum might do, and my guess is that this makes Perk angry.

IMHO, this game will tell us a lot about Perk beyond even being our first glimpse of how our front line matches up against the healthy Lakers’ bigs.

by Thruthelookingglass on Dec 25, 2008 3:37 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

It’s not good to make Perk angry…..

Perk and Powe... the Next Big Thing

by FLCeltsFan on Dec 25, 2008 4:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Just one game?

Yes it is one of 82 regular season games, But by no means is this just another game.

This is the hated lakers, beat these guys by 40 points. Show no mercy, take no prisoners.

by CfanMissippi on Dec 25, 2008 4:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

That would make me so happy to just crush them.

When I was in track in HS I ran he mile. The coach would tell me, “make the other guys hurt so bad that they quit.” that what I want to have happen. The fakers want this game. I think we can deal them a nasty blow by dominating them.

by wahz on Dec 25, 2008 4:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

ooooooo

beautiful pass by rondo. i love this guy

Once upon a time the Suns got out on the break... and along came Steve sucKerr

by Murcy on Dec 25, 2008 5:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

my heart has been broken once tonight.

i hope my other favourite team gives me a sweet treat. go celts!

Once upon a time the Suns got out on the break... and along came Steve sucKerr

by Murcy on Dec 25, 2008 5:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

nice three by allen

but we need tougher 1 on 1 D. i know kobe is basically unguardable but this is not the usual boston defense

Once upon a time the Suns got out on the break... and along came Steve sucKerr

by Murcy on Dec 25, 2008 5:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

This bench is wholly inadequate to win another title, from the lack of scoring to the inability to even slow Bryant down. Changes have to be made before the playoffs.

by CoachBo on Dec 25, 2008 5:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

oh man jeff van gundy still makes my ears bleed.

by spinz on Dec 25, 2008 6:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Bummer day for International League Pass'

The International League Pass is unwatchable from Denmark today’ thats how bad it is right now must be a ton of ilp customers on the stream..

Oh well, see you guys tomorrow and hopefully we will have won the game.

Leadership is diving for a loose ball, getting the crowd involved, getting other players involved. It`s being able to take it as well as dish it out. That`s the only way you`re going to get respect from the players
- Larry Bird

by Dybdal on Dec 25, 2008 6:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

It works for me Dybdal (and I’m Danish).. Do you think it could be your connection or something? Because mine is working like a charm, which is rather unusual for a ESPN/ABC game (don’t know why, but normally those games are ’messy’)

by Shots on Dec 25, 2008 6:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

...

and now the channel is playing “Disney Channel” instead of ABC, guess I was a bit too fast..

by Shots on Dec 25, 2008 6:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The Celtics are in good shape.

They’ve survived the Lakers best punches (Bryant’s scoring spree, their second unit) and are now in position to take control of the game before we get to halftime.

by Who on Dec 25, 2008 6:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

ABC Announcers!

Spewing Celtic VENOM once again! RIght where they left off last playoffs. Saying Cleveland is better right now. HOw are these clowns on the air?

by AdriGoal6 on Dec 25, 2008 6:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Last I checked, BOS has had a tougher schedule, a better record, and a win over CLE.

- JoeB

by joeb on Dec 25, 2008 6:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You know 100 times more then guys getting paid to do games on national tv!!

by AdriGoal6 on Dec 25, 2008 6:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Mike Breem is so biased on the calls! When the lakers make a three or dunk he blows a load! when the celtics do the same play, better even, he’s like a mute. They need to stop letting ABC/ESPN doing the big games. This is gettig to the point where i have to mute them

by AdriGoal6 on Dec 25, 2008 6:34 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Not attacking the rim?

Are you kidding me? These ABC/ESPN guys haven’t got a clue. They’re talking about the Celtcs only getting FTs, and at the end of the half no less. They chalked it up to them not attacking the rim. Am I watching the same game. Who’s leading with points in the paint? These guys are a joke. Celts are visibly frustrated with the calls, but championship teams need to use this as extra motivation and bury their opponent. GO CELTS!!

- JoeB

by joeb on Dec 25, 2008 6:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Refs were a joke in the first half, just like the announcers. Its gona take alot more then that tho to stop KG and company!!

by AdriGoal6 on Dec 25, 2008 6:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Lakers are in trouble

Kobe has 16 points
Gasol + Odom + Bynum have combined for 11 points

This is not sustainable. They can’t win this game without a second, and they might need a third scorer also, stepping up and delivering some help for Kobe Bryant.

The Lakers are also giving up far too many easy baskets in the paint.

The Lakers do not have a big enough lead (only 6 points) after all that quality advantages they had in the first half. They’re in trouble.

by Who on Dec 25, 2008 6:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

i dont know why Doc is letting the lakers to take over and keeping the 2nd unit with just Paul with them. They should not let Lakers to take advantage in this game as they are playing on LA court. horrible decision by Doc, or its just me?

by spoiled on Dec 25, 2008 6:40 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Magic and Kobe Interview

I may vomit

- JoeB

by joeb on Dec 25, 2008 6:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I had to change the halttime show. Laker biased just like the game

by AdriGoal6 on Dec 25, 2008 6:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Back in June, they were showing Russell-KG interviews

Two all-time greats chatting – I’ve got no problem with that, no matter who the players are. Thought it was pretty cool.

-sw

Manuel Aristides Ramirez is the greatest hitter I've ever seen.

by Steve Weinman on Dec 25, 2008 8:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

magic acceptable

but Kobe NO!!

They will be always Biased tonight as they wanted to avenge..They wanted to Stop Boston streak and give Phil a memorable win.
Its not the right time to depend on 2nd unit without atleast 2 or 3 starter with them on court. sigh..

by spoiled on Dec 25, 2008 6:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Good networks and announcers don’t show biased thoughts. THey tell the truth and the facts! the FACT is the celtics have the best record EVER at this point in the season, yet all they talk about is the LAKERS! that’s just ignorant coverage!

by AdriGoal6 on Dec 25, 2008 6:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

It’s just funny to hear how ignorant they are. I miss TNT, at least those guys have some sense about them

by AdriGoal6 on Dec 25, 2008 6:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

They put down the celtics the whole half, sayin their bench sux, cleveland is better. lol i couldn’t believe what i was hearing. I guess i can’t be surprised cause they did the same shit last playoffs and we spanked them by 40 in game 6!

by AdriGoal6 on Dec 25, 2008 6:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs