subject: NBA- Lakers Lost Game 2 against Powerful Celtics [print this page] NBA- Lakers Lost Game 2 against Powerful Celtics
Los Angeles Lakers suffered a painful loss to the Boston Celtics, 94-103 in the second game of the NBA Finals. This levels the series for the title to 1 game a piece. Pau Gasol (25 points) played at a high level, but he could not counterbalance the masterful performance of Ray Allen (32 points, 8 triples) and Rajon Rondo, author of a triple-double in the game.
In the first half, the Lakers had a difficult time controlling the effectiveness of the Celtics, who gave a hard time the Lakers defense. Allen did not have much presence due to foul trouble in the first game. However, in Game 2 Allen had an amazing first half for the Celtics by scoring seven three-pointers.
In the first quarter, both teams were really trying to get the lead, however the game was so close during the first eight minutes that the score was tied in six occasions. It was not until the Celtics got a run of 9-2, that the scoreboard went their way, ending the first quarter up by 7 points, 29-22.
During the second quarter, Ray Allen started strong for the Celtics, scoring 3 three-pointers in the first five minutes. This made it 42-28 for Boston. Nevertheless, Bynum and Kobe stepped up for the Lakers to cut down the difference but the great shooting of Allen was too mucho for the Lakers during the final minutes. However, Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant made a huge effort for the Lakers and went to halftime losing by only 6 points, 48-54.
Entering the third quarter, the Lakers came to the game determined to take the lead. With the help of Gasol and Bynum the Lakers got a lead of 3 points with 5:25. However, despite the good intentions of the Lakers, Boston wasn't able to let its intentions go away either. At the end, the quarter finished 72-72.
Starting the fourth quarter, both teams were exchanging baskets and fighting for the victory. The Lakers went ahead by three points after a shot by Kobe Bryant with 5:21 to play. Nevertheless, the Celtics responded with a run of 11-0 and made it 98-90 with 1:12. Then, Bryant responded with a three-pointer to bring down the difference by 5 points. However, the Lakers turnovers and the great performance of Rondo during the final seconds gave the Celtics the victory, 103-94.
At the end of the game, Kobe Bryant stated that series are like this, they win, they may lose and if they don't accomplished their goal there will be fighting to win the next game.
"It's a series. You're trying to stay even-keel. You don't get too high; don't get too low after a win or a loss. You just go into the next one and take care of business," expressed Bryant.
The best scorers for the Boston Celtics were Ray Allen with 32 points and 3 rebounds; Rajon Rondo with 19 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists; Kendrick Perkins with 12 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists and finally, Paul Pierce with 10 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists. For the L.A Lakers the best scorers were Pau Gasol with 25 points, 8 rebounds, 6 blocks and 3 assists; Kobe Bryant with 21 points, 6 assists; 5 rebounds and 4 steals and ultimately, Andrew Bynum with 21 points, 7 blocks and 6 rebounds.
