CELTICS OUTHUSTLE LAKERS IN GAME 5
The Los Angeles Lakers are going home now. They will now get to play on their own home court, in front of their own home crowd, instead of the cold, object-throwing Boston Celtics fans.
They had another golden opportunity to head home with a 3-2 series lead, having only to win one of the scheduled two home games to win the title. Instead, they let the Boston Celtics outplay them throughout the game, then down the stretch, to win 92-86 and stand one game away from their 18th World Championship.
The Los Angeles Lakers need to take home this stern lesson for all close games:
If you fail to hit shots down the stretch…
If you fail to get to the loose balls down the stretch…
If you fail to box out down the stretch…
If you fail to rebound down the stretch…
And if you fail to play strong defense down the stretch…
YOU ARE GOING TO LOSE THE GAME.
They failed to do all of the above down the stretch and, not surprisingly, THEY LOST THE GAME.
At one point in the game, Kobe Bryant was the only player scoring for the Lakers. He scored 23 consecutive Laker points. That is not only a shame. . . . . it is a CRYING shame. No Championship caliber team should play this way in the Finals. But this is what the Lakers are doing. That is why they are losing 3 games to 2.
But, on the bright side, the Lakers are very capable of winning two games in a row. This is especially true on their home court. But, of course, it is now or never. . . . do, or die. . . . . WIN, OR GO HOME. Enough said.
M. Dean
Muhammad Ali Life