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The Zulewski report
By Tom Zulewski June 15, 2010 |
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Lakers stop Celts offense 89-67 When your trapped and cornered the only way out is to battle for your life and that's exactly what the Los Angeles Lakers did on Tuesday night at Staples Center upending the Boston Celtics to force a game seven in Los Angeles with a game six victory 89-67. For the Lakers Kobe Bryant lead the team with 26 points, 11 rebounds and Pau Gasol finished up with 17 points and 13 rebounds and for Ron Artest 15 points which were part of a great chemistry that help lead the Lakers to a 22 point edge over the Celtics in the first half and had a 28 point lead in the first quarter. With the Lakers forcing a game seven one thing is for sure there will be a champion on Thursday night at Staples. For the Celtics Ray Allen 19 points with a Finals record with eight threes, but the Celtics who are in a bid for their 16th championship in franchise history couldn't win their third straight over L.A. Two years ago in the championship the Celtics had full control over the Lakers with a 39 point win to win game six, this game six was a different story as the Celtics couldn't get anything going and the Lakers dominated on defense and Gasol almost got a triple double. The Lakers win was the second highest scoring gap for a championship game since the Bulls big win over the Jazz in 1998's Finals with a 54 point win. Gasol dominated inside the paint on defense and offense, Gasol showed up and stopped the Celts offense, looking at that Celtics offense once again Allen had 19, Paul Pierce had 13, and for Kevin Garnett 12 points. It just wasn't enough for the Celtics and they have to turn it up a notch again on Thursday night or go back to Boston with their tails between their legs. They want the party in L.A. but after getting a dose of the L.A. offense on Tuesday night they know they have their hands full, "I was very happy, we did a great job defensively. We kept them out of the middle. kept them out of the paint, did a great job on the boards. It was a solid effort by us." said Kobe. Same clubs try it all over again on Thursday night at Staples get set for a game that will see each team have their hands full. This one should be played like a grudge match if they someone wants it bad enough and both teams will have to come in hungry and play this one right down to the fourth quarter buzzer. Will see how this adds up. Celtics center Kendrick Perkins is going to be a big loss for game seven he has sprained ligaments in his right knee in the first quarter, Perkins left Staples without crutches but he's looking at sitting it out and that puts the pressure on Glen "Big Baby" Davis to get the job done in game seven. Perkins said he wanted in for game seven which is not likely with the outset of the injury. More later. Tom Zulewski files the report each week for Sportstalk |
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