2010 NBA Finals – Lakers vs. Celtics
In a renewal of one of sports history’s greatest rivalries, Boston and Los Angeles meet yet again for the NBA crown. Beginning this week at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, a new chapter begins as the Lakers and Celtics meet for the second time in three years, and the 12th time overall.
Boston leads the series 9-2 after its six-game victory in 2008. Los Angeles won the title last year and is trying to become the league’s first repeat champion since it won three in a row from 2000-02. The Celtics have won 17 championships while the Lakers total 15.
Meeting twice in regular season play, they beat each other on their opponent’s home court with one point wins.
What are they keys to victory for each team?
For wily old Boston, there group defense will still be a key weapon. Throwing lots of bigs into the mix is something Los Angeles didn’t see against the likes of Utah and Phoenix.
Their veteran trio of leaders Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce have support in their old age, mostly in fellow vet Rasheed Wallace, still they can pick their spots to take over offensively (and they can) against anyone.
What makes the Boston operation run these days however, is Rajon Rondo, who is now clearly the offensive leader of the Celtics. Though the Lakers have stopped the likes of Russell Westbrook, Deron Williams, Steve Nash to get here, it is Rondo’s speed and style that creates havoc. All his slashing and dishing will require the likes of Kobe and Farmar more so than Fisher to try and slow him down. And anytime one can force Kobe into a more intense challenge on defense, that usually turns out to be an overall more productive result for the Lakers opponents.
Conversely, one of the Lakers’ keys is to get Rondo out of rhythm. Fisher, with help from a solid rotating defense and mixing it up with coverage from Farmar and Bryant should be effective.
the winner of the Pierce-Artest matchup will go a long way in determining this series
Here’s where the addition of Ron Artest will be key. Paul Pierce had a brilliant series in winning the title against the Lakers and that was in large part due to the fact Los Angeles had Vladimir Radmonovic trying to guard him. This will be Artest’s biggest and most important test as a Laker. If he can personally neutralize Pierce, that will go a long way in getting Los Angeles a back-to-back title.
Of course the Laker bigs, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum have to contribute their share on both ends as Boston will likely try and concentrate their efforts on forcing Bryant to lean on his teammates with assorted double teams.
Averaging almost 30 points a game, and relatively healthy since his knee was drained, Bryant has been quicker and elevating higher matching his confidence level and playing just about the best he ever has in a long playoff history. The key for Bryant, like it has been for a long time is to have the same level of confidence in his teammates and make the smart passes first then take the percentage shots when they open up. If Bryant forces it, he aids Boston big time.
a slashing Rondo is trouble for Los Angeles
But the wily team leader knows that and is too determined, too experienced and is playing too well to let this one slip away. Besides, Los Angeles is highly motivated to avenge their embarrassing loss to Boston from the last time they met in the NBA Finals, still sweet revenge will not come easily.
Lakers in seven.
Lakers—C Andrew Bynum (9.1 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 1.7 bpg), F Pau Gasol (20.0 ppg, 10.9 rpg, 1.9 bpg), F Ron Artest (11.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.5 apg), G Kobe Bryant (29.4 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 6.2 apg), G Derek Fisher (11.1 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 3.1 apg). F Lamar Odom (10.6 ppg, 9.5 rpg), G Shannon Brown (5.8 ppg, 1.1 apg), G Jordan Farmar (5.3 ppg, 1.6 apg), G Sasha Vujacic (3.3 ppg).
Celtics—C Kendrick Perkins (5.6 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.9 bpg), F Kevin Garnett (14.9 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 2.3 apg), F Paul Pierce (19.1 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 3.6 apg), G Ray Allen (16.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 3.0 apg), G Rajon Rondo (16.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 10.0 apg, 2.1 spg). F Glen Davis (7.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg), F Rasheed Wallace (6.5 ppg, 2.3 rpg), G/F Tony Allen (5.9 ppg, 2.0 rpg), G Nate Robinson (3.7 ppg), G Michael Finley (0.9 ppg).
Schedule
Game 1 – Thu June 3 6:00PM ABC at Los Angeles
Game 2 – Sun June 6 5:00PM ABC at Los Angeles
Game 3 – Tue June 8 6:00PM ABC at Boston
Game 4 – Thu June 10 6:00PM ABC at Boston
Game 5 * Sun June 13 5:00PM ABC at Boston
Game 6 * Tue June 15 9:00PM ABC at Los Angeles
Game 7 * Thu June 17 9:00PM ABC at Los Angeles
All Times Pacific
*If necessary
