Celtics Pin the Lakers Against the Wall

TD Garden again was the venue for the all-important Game 5 of the 2010 NBA Finals and the Boston Celtics had the Los Angeles Lakers scurrying for home with a 92-86 win to take a 3-2 series lead. With two games remaining, both at Staples Center, the Lakers need to put together wins in both to claim their 16th title. But first, the Lakers need to win Game 6 on Tuesday to even force a seventh and deciding game.

The Laker offense was missing in action as the Celtics finally broke out of their series long shooting slump. Boston shot 40-71 (56.3%) compared to only 31-78 (39.7%) for the Lakers. Boston was a model of efficiency, enjoying a 21-12 assist advantage, out-rebounded the Lakers by one, 35-34, and recorded a 7-1 tilt in blocked shots. The C’s also won the points-in-the-paint battle, 46-32 and a 14-3 advantage in fast-break points. Boston flexed its muscles once again, shutting down the Lakers inside presence with a tenacious defense and countless hustle points. Paul Pierce (27 points on 12-21, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocked shots) connected on every big shot, carrying the Celtics early, while Kevin Garnett (18 points on 6-11, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 steals, 2 blocked shots) and Rajon Rondo (18 points on 9-12, 5 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 steal, 1 blocked shot) powered the win late with timely steals and scores. The Lakers are now on the brink of elimination, a distant and almost unthinkable thought when they first embarked for Boston over a week ago.

Kobe Bryant (38 points on 13-27, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 blocked shot) carried the Lakers entirely on his broad shoulders, but now finds himself with his back planted squarely against the wall. Pau Gasol (12 points on 5-12, 12 rebounds, 2 steals) was a non-factor throughout as the Celtics effectively pushed him out of his comfort zone. And the more Boston pushed, the further out Pau went, content with trying to kick-start his offense from the non-contact area on the court. Andrew Bynum (6 points on 3-6, 1 rebound in 32-minutes) gave a valiant effort but was clearly bothered by his injured knee. Nonetheless, Bynum persevered, unlike his Laker teammates who lost the battle with an uncharacteristic lack of poise. No other Laker scored in double figures, erasing any hope for the coveted Game 5 win. Lamar Odom (8 points on 4-6, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals in 26-minutes) had glimpses of brilliance, but they were too few and far between to make a difference. Meanwhile, Ray Allen (12 points on 5-10, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal) provided just enough to keep the Lakers defense honest, and from sagging off of him and offering weakside help. Ron Artest (7 points on 2-9, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal) and Derek Fisher (9 points on 2-9 all in the 1st quarter, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal) could not provide Kobe with enough support while Boston’s unheralded bench made key baskets to maintain their lead throughout the game.

This game was less about the Lakers making baskets, but more of an inability to make the little plays. Missed free throws (17-26 for 65.4%) haunted the Lakers, even though they shot 13 more than their opponents. A 16-7 advantage on the offensive glass resulted in little more than burning more time off the clock. And to make matters worse, Boston seemingly came up with every loose ball that mattered. Boston committed 17 turnovers yet the Lakers managed only 15-points off of them. Boston countered with 18-points off of 13 Laker turnovers. Boston is now in position to stun the world while riding a wave of confidence as the series shifts back to Los Angeles. Expectations aside, the game was far from being decided until the final minute of play, even as the Lakers suffered through one of their poorest outings of the series. But the Lakers could never put together a substantial run to put them into position to pull off the win. Even with Kobe posting a 19-point performance in the 3rd quarter, it was merely him trading baskets against five Celtics. Pau had multiple shots blocked as he was unable to muster the strength to finish with any type of authority. And as the Celtics withstood Kobe’s crescendo performance in the 3rd, no else stepped up to offer him any support. Kobe’s scoring spree had everyone shaking their heads in disbelief, including the Miami Heat’s (for now) Dwayne Wade, who was in attendance to watch the two titans slug it out. But it was Pierce who went out as the clear winner, as he and his Boston cohorts are now only one win away from claiming their 18th title in franchise history.