Los Angeles Lakers at Boston Celtics, 06/08/2008
times read: 1083
| Final |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
OT |
Total |
| Lakers |
22 |
20 |
19 |
41 |
|
102 |
| Celtics |
20 |
34 |
29 |
25 |
|
108 |
|
|
Game Preview:
LA Lakers at Boston, 8:30 pm EDT
BOSTON (Ticker) -- Paul Pierce fully expects to be in the lineup
on Sunday, when the Boston Celtics host the Los Angeles Lakers
in Game Two of the NBA...
Game Recap:
By Mike Petraglia
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer
BOSTON 108, LA LAKERS 102
-
BOSTON (Ticker) -- Paul Pierce provided the early inspiration
and his teammates took care of the...
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Date Posted: 6/9/2008 12:32:00 AM
By: Jessica Camerato
The Celtics got the lead. And then they got "cute."
That's how Doc Rivers described his team's play as they watched a commanding lead slip away in the late minutes of the game. But a win is a win, and even though the Celtics aren't boasting how they took this game, they are heading to LA up 2-0 on the Lakers.
Paul Pierce said he didn't think about his knee injury during the game but he felt the pain more once he stopped playing. Pierce led the Celtics with 28 points but the real star for the Cs wasn't their captain. It was a bench player.
Leon Powe looked more like an experienced starter than a sophomore role player who went through bouts of minuteless games. On the same night that ABC aired a feature on Powe's tumultuous upbringing, he sat proudly at the podium to talk about his 21-point performance in less than 15 minutes on the court.
Celtics and Lakers alike praised Powe's poise and maturity. Kobe Bryant admitted the Lakers were a bit caught off guard by his unforeseen impact. Powe, however, remained modest as usual and gave credit to his teammates for finding him on the court. Game 3 in Los Angeles will have a special meaning for both Powe and Pierce, California natives.
And Game 3 will have a special meaning for the Lakers if they can seek revenge on their homecourt. Bryant said the keys to beating the Celtics are going after loose balls, snagging timely rebounds, getting to the free throw line, and stopping them in transition.
Stay with HOOPSWORLD for in-depth coverage of the NBA Finals from Boston and LA.
Date Posted: 6/8/2008 9:29:00 PM
By: Jessica Camerato
- If Paul Pierce is hurt, he has the scoreboard fooled. Pierce scored 16 points in the first half (5-9 FG) and drained his first shot of the game, a trey. He also dished five assists.
- Kendrick Perkins, on the other hand, was noticeably slow on defense and lost Gasol on the rotation several times. He played 10 minutes in the first half. P.J. Brown and Leon Powe played big off the bench to alleviate Perkins. Powe (8 points) frustrated the Lakers on D, resulting in nine free throw attempts.
- Kobe Bryant has struggled again in the first half. He has just nine points (4-10 FG, 0-1 3PG) after 18 minutes on the court. More significantly, Bryant already has three personal fouls but has made it to the line just once.
- The Celtics posted 15 assists to the Lakers' eight. Rajon Rondo dished a game-high six, more than Derek Fisher and Bryant combined.
- The Lakers led 22-20 at the end of the first quarter. But the Celtics opened the second quarter on a 13-2 run and lead 54-42 at halftime.
Check back later for postgame reaction from Game 2 of the NBA Finals
Date Posted: 6/8/2008 7:13:00 PM
By: Jessica Camerato
- Paul Pierce will play tonight after suffering a right knee sprain in Game 1. Celtics head coach Doc Rivers described Pierce as "fine," adding that he has stayed out of the trainer's room and lets team trainer Ed Lacerte do his job to evaluate the players.
- The Celtics captain walked through the Celtics locker room with ice wrapped around both knees. There was no noticeable limp and he did not look to be in overwhelming pain.
- If you ask Kendrick Perkins, he'll tell you he's playing. If you ask Rivers, well, don't ask him until around 9 o'clock. Unlike Pierce, Perkins is a game time decision for Game 2 of the NBA Finals. He assessed his health (ankle sprain) at 75% and did not attend this morning's shootaround or participate in yesterday's practice. Rivers admitted that he has a Plan B in case Perkins does not play but would not divulge details. All signs point to P.J. Brown.
- Rivers expressed concern over the match up between Perkins and Pau Gasol if his big man is hampered by the injury. Gasol was faster than Perk to start and now his ankle could slow him down even more. Rivers is not planning on changing the team's defensive schemes but will closely watch Perkins' ability to keep up with Gasol.
- Lakers head coach Phil Jackson said that he has not discussed the Celtics' injuries with his players other than commenting on the wheelchair that Pierce was rolled into the locker room with. Jackson (who was skeptical of Pierce's injury after Game 1) laughed as he mentioned that was the first time he has ever seen the wheelchair.
- Rather than talking about injuries, Jackson has spent his time talking about winning. He wants his players to adjust to their defense at the basket and be ready for the Celtics to attack the lane. The Lakers were outrebounded by nearly 15 in Game 1.
- Jackson also attributed Kobe Bryant's performance (9-26 FG) to the Celtics' defense. He noted that the Cs are putting two players in between Bryant, the ball, and the basket on every possession but that Bryant has to be cautious of the fact that the Celtics led the NBA in charges this season.
Tip off is just after 9pm EST. Check back at the half for all the sights and sounds of the first two quarters.
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