Surprising nobody, Los Angeles came out firing in Game 3 and held off the Celtics to cut their Finals deficit to 2-1. What came as a huge surprise was how it happened: Boston seemed to dictate tempo during a sloppy, defense-minded contest that the Lakers lost a grip on for large stretches of the second half. I was sincerely expecting a blowout; a severe pounding that shook the Celts, but a win's a win, and for the sake of a more competitive series, I'm all for it. LA needed a more convincing win to level the momentum, and Boston's still probably fully convinced they can steal one at Staples. Given the way they've played at home during the playoffs, that on its own might be enough to win the title.
A few parting shots from last night's game:
- The Lakers (particularly Kobe) started this game exactly how they needed to. Clearly fired up by the home crowd, they took it to the hoop rather than settling for jumpers, fought for loose balls they gave up in Boston, and stopped playing Dirk to the Golden State of the Celtics' D. Kobe got his Lebron on at the stripe, but at least he was getting there. It was because of this start that the Celtics felt the need to stay home, permitting the Lakers to make it rain later in the game, which brings me to...
- Sasha Vujacic. What the hell. I got a huge kick out of this guy proclaiming himself "the Machine", but his play's been backing it up. The guy's become a strong defender and lights-out bomber who can create shots for himself and no longer forces treys. If I had a vote for "Best Breakout of the Playoffs" (or if that award actually existed), he's got it.
- Pau and Lamar, will you please stop playing like two of those flamingo lawn ornaments. You seldom establish position when shots go up, snooze on D and finished around the hoop with all the offensive prowess of Andy Varejao last night. You're better players than this, and your squad needs you next game.
- Tell-tale sign that the Lakers still need to step it up: they barely won this game with KG and Paulette taking serious backseats on offense (actually, Paul was stuck in the trunk). Trust that a team's two best, hungriest players won't do this often, so don't take it lately.
...And from around the L:
- Tim Donaghy, you are truly a piece of diseased hyena bait. You got into hot water with the mob, admittedly tampered with the outcomes of games to save yourself (fucking over millions of fans and bettors, not mention the athletes who live and die for this game), and now in a further deperate attempt to serve yourself, are trying to blow the whistle on a bigger refereeing conspiracy just as you fall off the face of the Earth. Words cannot express how much I hope you wind up in a cell with a muscle-bound basketball gambler.
- I hope I'm far from alone in welcoming Vinny Del Negro back to the court. One of the classier guys the league's seen and one of the few Spurs I don't have anything bad to say about.
- Word around the league is that Deroit's desperately trying to land Carmelo Anthony, the irony of which is both crippingly painful and absolutely hilarious.
- The league recently announced it will begin fining players who incessantly flop next season. It'll be ineteresting to see how often this happens and how the league will govern such a subjective rule. I'm glad the league's finally making players think twice about making a dirty play, but Manu's undoubtedly died a little inside.
- And finally, welcome to Free Agency, Adonal Foyle! Enjoy the pay cut buddy.
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