Write On Sports

Despite the fact that MVP Kobe Bryant scored only 1 point in the first quarter, the Lakers set an NBA Finals record by ending the opening period with a 21-point lead. Lamar Odom, who had a horrendous first 3 games in the series, shot 6-for-6 for 13 points. The Lakers shot 65 percent in that first quarter while the Celtics shot a dismal 27 percent.

It would turn out, though, to be the only quarter in which the Lakers would outscore the Celtics. But the Lakers did manage to hold their lead through the second quarter, and led by 18 at the halftime mark.

In the third quarter, however, the Celtics made a Laker-like comeback and stormed all the way back to within 4 points. The Lakers helped the Celtics’ cause with a complete offensive meltdown which has been fairly typical of recent-year Laker teams in the third quarter. By the end of the third quarter, the Lakers only led by two, 73-71, after having led in the game by as many as 24 points. The Celtics outscored the Lakers in the period, 31-15.

The fourth quarter only got worse for the stunned Lakers. By the two-minute mark, they had shot a poor 5-for-15 in the quarter, and found themselves trailing by 3 points. This was as complete a turnaround as you will ever see in an NBA Finals game. The Lakers scored more points in the 1st quarter than they did in the entire 2nd half. What once looked like a laugher for the Lakers and a sure 2-2 tie in the series, suddenly became a desperate gasp for air and an attempt to stay alive.

After an eventual 3-pointer by James Posey, two free-throws by Pierce, and a layup by Ray Allen, the Lakers were finished for the night, 97-91. They now trail in the series 3 games to 1, and must win all three of the remaining games, with two of them in Boston, to keep their championship hopes alive. The Celtics, on the other hand, need only one win to capture their 17th NBA title.

Game 5, a must-win for the now desperate Lakers, will be played Sunday in Los Angeles.

M. Dean
Write On Sports/Muhammad Ali Life

This entry was posted on Friday, June 13th, 2008 at 4:13 am and is filed under NBA Basketball. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.