Los Angeles Lakers at Boston Celtics
NBA Championship Finals Game Five, Series tied 2-2
June 13, 2010 at 8pm ET on ABC: TD Garden in Boston, MA
The Line: Boston Celtics -2.5 Over/Under 187
After a thrilling first four games, the series is tied at two games a piece, and the Celtics have the opportunity to give themselves a fighting chance to win the series by grabbing a 3-2 lead on their home court.
The Lakers wouldn't mind the cushion heading home for game six either..
For game four we were all over the Celtics, and I took a different approach to arriving at the Celtics by breaking down the game by player in the forum. It worked real well so I'm going to take that route again.
Let's start by what we saw in game four:
1. Andrew Bynum was extremely quiet.
Bynum played just 12 minutes, and looked severely hampered by the torn meniscus in his knee that can't be repaired until the offseason. The Lakers training staff has done a great job helping the young center work through the injury, but last game was one of those instances where he wouldn't have played a single minute if it were the regular season. The extra day of rest should do wonders for Bynum, as I expect him to produce more of an impact tonight, playing about 18 minutes with 10 points and 5 rebounds.
2. Big Baby and Nasty Nate were a force from the bench, combining for 30 points
Glen Davis' production in game four could be linked to Bynum playing 12 minutes and Odom playing 39, but the youngster out of LSU is developing before our eyes. Davis can knock down the outside jump shot with consistency, and is not afraid to take it to the rim. Luckily for the Lakers, he can be contained. I don't expect as strong of a game out of Davis tonight. Nate Robinson is a spark plug who would probably see more minutes on the regular if Rondo weren't able to last about a full game without rest. I think Robinson will contribute a couple nice shifts tonight to energize the Celtics.
3. Kobe went 6-11 from three point land
Bryant seemed to knock down a clutch three everytime the Lakers found despair last game. Kobe's ability to change the game single handedly can't be ignored tonight in game five.
4. Celtics won the points in the paint battle 54-34
This could again be linked to Bynum, as Lamar Odom simply needs to contribute more if he's playing 40 minutes. Playing above and beyond his regular role could prove difficult, but Odom is certainly capable.
What I expect to see tonight
Rajon Rondo plays some inspired basketball with an 11 point, 7 assist, 4 rebound, and 2 steal performance
Ray Allen heats up and finds his shooting groove. Allen is practically OCD with his routines. He's a seasoned veteran and has one of the smoothest strokes in the game. Allen will make four three pointers tonight.
Kobe Bryant looks to control the game once again eclipsing the 30 point mark.
Pau Gasol gives another steady 20 point performance to go along with 8 rebounds.
Shannon Brown provides the Lakers bench spark, owning the second quarter
Paul Pierce finds early foul trouble
Kendrick Perkins isn't able to avoid a technical
Kevin Garnett plays lethargic for 80% of his minutes, but that 20% where the adrenaline let's him play beyond his body are something special.
Ron Artest goes 1-5 from three point range
Rasheed Wallace finds the three point touch a couple times
Lamar Odom thrives in extended minutes if he sees them
Game five figures to be the most unpredictable yet, and as always with the NBA, a half time bet is prudent. By the time halftime hits, I think the game will be very close to tied, but hidden in the tie could be the key to the second half. I'll be hitting the forum as soon as the halftime buzzer sounds, so be sure to check in and see where I think this one is headed.
My number one key to this game is the experiment of Andrew Bynum in the first half. If he looks fresh and ready to work through injury, I may like the Lakers to win this one. Absent that, I'm leaning towards the Celtics.
Brian Fitz's Pick: Boston Celtics -2.5, but let's hit the forum at the half and make sure it still looks good
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