Celtics Vs Lakers Preview

Celebrate dad at MiniInTheBox and save $4 off $30 with code CMITB

And so the real test is upon the Celtics.  The two teams that were preseason favorites to meet in the finals clash for the first time this year.  Both the Celtics and Lakers enter this game facing questions.  For Boston it’s can they hang with the upper tier teams on a consistent basis after going 2-6 against the Cavs, Magic and Hawks.  The Lakers are struggling somewhat on the road with a 13-8 record and not playing on extended road trips in the first half of the season.

The C’s have been struggling with a 6-9 record in their last 15 games and have slipped to third in the conference behind the Cavs and Hawks.  Rajon Rondo has been playing a little subpar lately, not exactly draining his shots.  Getting to the rack isn’t a problem but finishing has been for him, not being able to spin the ball off the glass for two has been.  He’ll also have to be aware of Derek Fisher’s willingness to take a charge so he’ll have to be quick with his side step.  Rondo might have some trouble navigating Gasol and Bynum inside should he so choose and be weary of the weak side swat if he tries to use the rim as protection.

Ray Allen on Kobe is always an adventure since Doc flat out refuses to double most of the time.  Trying to defend Bryant and also straighten out his own shooting funk will be no easy task and I expect Allen to have a minimal scoring impact; say around 9 points.  Kobe could either go for 22 or 36 depending on how involved the big men in the middle are.

Kendrick Perkins on Pau Gasol/Andrew Bynum will be interesting since Gasol is widely known to hate physical play and Perk is a banger down low.  The only problem I see Perk really having is knowing when to switch off Gasol and onto Bynum.  Bynum and Gasol will also probably add to the Celtics rebounding woes and pick off at least 15 O boards.

Kevin Garnett will really be tested on his bad knee trying to stay with Gasol inside and contesting his shot if he gets posted up.  KG has been looking a little weak in the second half of games and not really had the explosiveness to get up and down the court to get back on defense or get out on the fast break.

I think the most interesting matchup of the night will be Paul Pierce and Ron Artest.  Paul has been on fire lately with a nice shooting performance that was wasted against Atlanta.  Artest has always played hard defense with his crazy brain and might frustrate Paul early.  When Artest talks trash you pay attention because he is insane enough to follow through with what he runs his yap about.

I’m weary of being optimistic for this game.  It will be a good game to be sure and the Garden will no doubt be rocking but my head says that the bench will get crushed unless Sheed can go off and Big “Don’t Call Me” Baby throws his considerable weight around inside the paint.  Call me a skeptic but unless Boston pulled their crap together and figured out their rebounding and turnover issues this will be a long game.