The first two games were rough for the Lakers and their fans, they looked uninspired compared to the Celtics (who looked like they were ready to run through walls) and settled for deep jump shots instead of attacking the basket. That would all change in game 3 where Kobe and the Lakers took charge, Kobe attacked the basket early. Getting him to the line again and again. Kobe attacking the basket also led to foul trouble for the Celtics, Pierce only played 16 minutes of the first half. Pierce and Garnett would struggle all game (Garnett, has been struggling since the 2nd half of game 2) they only amounted to 19 points combined with 8-35 from the field. Ray Allen would help keep Boston close for the entire game, going off for 25 points and 5-7 from downtown.
But the stories of the night were Sasha "The Machine" Vujacic and both teams shooting horribly from the line. Sasha came off the bench in the 2nd quarter and blew up much like Leon Powe in game 2. Even Doc Rivers knew the reason his team lost.
"Kobe was fantastic but I thought Sasha Vujacic was the key to the game. I said before we are going to have to win a game when Kobe Bryant plays well. We know that. But when that happens, we have to shut off the other avenues."
He shot 7-10 from the field and 3-5 from deep, tallying up 20 points and filling the void by terrible offensive games from Odom and Gasol (combined 13 points). The free throw disparity of game 2 swung in the Lakers direction, mainly due to them attacking the basket and the Celtics looking lost on offense. The Lakers shot 21-34 from the free throw line for 61.8% and the Celtics shot 15-22 for 68.2%. Overall this was an ugly game offensively and this was a great chance for the Celtics to stomp on the necks of the Lakers, but thanks to Kobe and 36 points and Sasha the Lakers live to keep on fighting. The Lakers also have a great chance to swing the momentum in their direction with the next two games being at home. The last team ever to win the 3 straight home games were the 2004 Detroit Pistons against the Lakers.
Game 4 is Thursday night on ABC, coverage starting at 8:30 and the tip around 9
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