Heading back to Los Angeles down 3-2, Kobe Bryant put it best. "It's simple. We have to win Game Six on Tuesday, and then we have to come back to work on Thursday and win Game Seven." That pretty much sums up what the LA Lakers will need to do in order to complete their run and win consecutive NBA Championships. Phil Jackson, head coach of the Lakers, didn't seem worried when the scenario of two must win games was brought up to him in a recent press conference stating, "Isn't that how a 2-3-2 series is set up? That the team with home court advantage has to win the last two games?".
That's easier said than done for the Lakers right now, though. Previously untouchable at home, the Celtics won Game Two at Staples Center to originally tie the series 1-1. These next two games are not expected wins for the Lakers by any stretch of the imagination. Boston is playing at such a high level, and the Celtics are confident that they could win either Game Six or Seven in Los Angeles to win the NBA Championship. So, what will happen in Game Six, and what adjustments will be made by each team?
For Los Angeles, the game plan is simple. Play defense. Stay between your man and the basket. The Lakers could not get stops in Game Five, which severely hurt them down the stretch. Too many easy layups were given to the Celtics. Also, someone other than Kobe Bryant has to step up and carry some of the weight. NBA analysts are contemplating the idea that even if Boston wins the series, Kobe could still win the MVP. That has to tell the rest of the Lakers something. Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, and Lamar Odom need to have nights where they are legitimate threats on the offensive end while shutting down (or at least containing) the Celtic's big men on the other end of the court. Bynum is hurt, and he is experiencing excruciating pain at this point in the season. However, he will have to try to play through his knee injury and become a factor on both ends of the floor for the Lakers to experience success. Also, Kobe must guard the Celtic player who is having the best game as long as he does not give up too much size (any player at the small forward position or smaller). Lastly, if I was Phil Jackson, I would seriously consider trying to bait Celtics centers Kendrick Perkins and Rasheed Wallace into technical fouls. Go for a double technical, and eliminate at least one of them for Game Seven (preferably Perkins).
Boston has a different game plan. Don't play big like the Lakers will attempt to do. Play small. Glen Davis has had a spectacular series as has Nate Robinson. Both are smaller players for their respective positions, but they have come up huge for the Celtics in critical stretches. At least two of the Big Four must have great games. Get either Rondo, Pierce, Allen, or Garnett involved early and often and watch the offensive explosion take place. Don't force up shots, but at the same time expect improved defense from the Lakers. Their main concern on the defensive end of the floor is obviously Kobe Bryant. If they can successfully contain him, it will force another Lakers player to step up and shoulder the load. The Celtics need to approach Game Six as a must win game because I don't think that the Lakers will lose a Game Seven against their most hated rivals at home. Finally, Kendrick Perkins and Rasheed Wallace must play smart and avoid any technicals so they can be available for Game Seven if needed.
My prediction is that the Lakers will win this game, but it will be close. If Los Angeles wins this game, they will win the series in my opinion. I'm sticking to my original NBA Finals prediction and saying Lakers in seven games.
The Courtside Report Homepage
Email me at ch24bu@gmail.com to request a free subscription to The Courtside Report. As soon as a story is posted, it will be emailed to you.
No comments:
Post a Comment