Game 1 To The Celtics

Paul Pierce was the "Truth" during the third quarter!

Although I have predicted that the Los Angles Lakers will win the Final, I have to give credit to the Boston Celtics. They were the better team tonight.

There is no doubting Paul Pierce's red hot third quarter swung momentum back in the C's favour but I have to say it was the intangibles by the supporting cast that was the difference in the game.

Rajon Rondo keep the Celtics in the game in the first half by knocking down three jumpers as the shot clock was winding down. The Lakers were going to leave him open and he made them pay.

In the second half both Sam Cassell and PJ Brown made plays that helped. Both these veterans were acquired during the season for just this reason.

Cassell knocked down some jumpers and added a spark when Pierce when down injured, while Brown was rock solid on defense, especially in the pick and roll situation as well as on the boards.

I am a little bias towards James Posey but once again he had his say in the game's final result. His consistent defensive pressure on Kobe Bryant did not allow the leading scorer during the playoffs any easy looks. Plus Posey knocked down a three late in the fourth to extent the lead out of the reach of the Lakers.

There is no doubting the Celtics "Big Three" (Garnett, Pierce and Allen) had their own individual moments but it was the "supporting cast" that was the difference in this game.

The Lakers need to get the same type of productivity out of their guys. Luke Walton, Ronny Turiaf, Vladimir Radmanovic and Sasha Vujacic have to give the Lakers productive minutes if they are to turn this series around.

I expect more of the same from the Celtics come Game 2 but I'm looking for Kobe to be aggressive early so they do not head back to LA 0-2.

Boxscore

Game 2 will be on Monday Australian time.

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