LAKERS FORCE GAME 7LA CRUSHES BOSTON & PUSHES FINALS TO BRINK
Kobe Bryant simply would not allow the Boston Celtics to end his season Tuesday night, and now the NBA Finals come down to a winner-takes-all showdown featuring the league's two most storied franchises. It sounds like the perfect conclusion to a compelling year, especially for the Lakers, 89-67 winners in Game 6, who suddenly look whole again. The same cannot be said of the Celtics, who played their worst game of the series and may have lost their starting center in the process. Kendrick Perkins sprained his right knee midway through the first quarter and did not return after being carried into the locker room. The injury demoralized the Celtics, and they never were emotionally engaged the rest of the way. It is unlikely that Perkins will be available Thursday for only the third Game 7 in the Finals since 1988. "It doesn't look great," Doc Rivers said. "But I don't know." This will also be the first Game7 in the Finals for both Phil Jackson and Bryant, who are one win away from winning their 11th and fifth titles, respectively. The Lakers are also looking to win back-to-back championships while Boston is one win away from its second title in three years. "It's really a high tension situation," Jackson said of Game 7. "A lot of times it's not about the coaching. It's about who comes out and provides the energy on the floor and dictates the kind of game they want to dictate." The Lakers will be heavily favored on their home floor. Tuesday night, they took control in the first quarter, went ahead by 22 in the first half and never trailed over the last 44 minutes. Bryant was in top form again, finishing with 26 points and 11 rebounds in 40 minutes. This time he got help from his struggling teammates. Pau Gasol had 17points and 13 rebounds and came within one assist of a triple-double. Ron Artest added 15points, while the Lakers bench outscored the Celtics reserves 24-0 through three quarters. Ray Allen led the Celtics with 19 points and finally made a three-pointer after missing his previous 18. Rajon Rondo struggled, scoring 10 points on 5-of-15 shooting and absorbing an Artest forearm to the chin late in the third quarter. "I don't know if it was intentional but it was definitely a foul," Rondo said. The lack of production from Boston's bench is a major concern for Rivers. If Perkins is unable to play in Game 7, Glen Davis or Rasheed Wallace will be promoted to the starting lineup. The pair shot a combined 0-for-10, although Davis - who dominated the fourth quarter of Boston's Game 4 victory - did grab nine rebounds. The Lakers' starting center, Andrew Bynum, should be available but he continues to suffer from a tender right knee. He was limited to just under 16 minutes and only two in the second half. But the Lakers have other options. Artest found his stroke in Game 6 after scoring a total of 24points in the previous four games. Sasha Vujacic, who had scored just 10 points in the series, matched that total Tuesday night. Still, everything the Lakers do on the court begins and ends with Bryant, who Thursday has an opportunity to finish the season on his terms. "It's a game we have to win," Bryant said matter-of-factly. "It's as simple as that. I'm not going to go crazy over it."
Kobe Bryant simply would not allow the Boston Celtics to end his season Tuesday night, and now the NBA Finals come down to a winner-takes-all showdown featuring the league's two most storied franchises. It sounds like the perfect conclusion to a compelling year, especially for the Lakers, 89-67 winners in Game 6, who suddenly look whole again. The same cannot be said of the Celtics, who played their worst game of the series and may have lost their starting center in the process. Kendrick Perkins sprained his right knee midway through the first quarter and did not return after being carried into the locker room. The injury demoralized the Celtics, and they never were emotionally engaged the rest of the way. It is unlikely that Perkins will be available Thursday for only the third Game 7 in the Finals since 1988. "It doesn't look great," Doc Rivers said. "But I don't know." This will also be the first Game7 in the Finals for both Phil Jackson and Bryant, who are one win away from winning their 11th and fifth titles, respectively. The Lakers are also looking to win back-to-back championships while Boston is one win away from its second title in three years. "It's really a high tension situation," Jackson said of Game 7. "A lot of times it's not about the coaching. It's about who comes out and provides the energy on the floor and dictates the kind of game they want to dictate." The Lakers will be heavily favored on their home floor. Tuesday night, they took control in the first quarter, went ahead by 22 in the first half and never trailed over the last 44 minutes. Bryant was in top form again, finishing with 26 points and 11 rebounds in 40 minutes. This time he got help from his struggling teammates. Pau Gasol had 17points and 13 rebounds and came within one assist of a triple-double. Ron Artest added 15points, while the Lakers bench outscored the Celtics reserves 24-0 through three quarters. Ray Allen led the Celtics with 19 points and finally made a three-pointer after missing his previous 18. Rajon Rondo struggled, scoring 10 points on 5-of-15 shooting and absorbing an Artest forearm to the chin late in the third quarter. "I don't know if it was intentional but it was definitely a foul," Rondo said. The lack of production from Boston's bench is a major concern for Rivers. If Perkins is unable to play in Game 7, Glen Davis or Rasheed Wallace will be promoted to the starting lineup. The pair shot a combined 0-for-10, although Davis - who dominated the fourth quarter of Boston's Game 4 victory - did grab nine rebounds. The Lakers' starting center, Andrew Bynum, should be available but he continues to suffer from a tender right knee. He was limited to just under 16 minutes and only two in the second half. But the Lakers have other options. Artest found his stroke in Game 6 after scoring a total of 24points in the previous four games. Sasha Vujacic, who had scored just 10 points in the series, matched that total Tuesday night. Still, everything the Lakers do on the court begins and ends with Bryant, who Thursday has an opportunity to finish the season on his terms. "It's a game we have to win," Bryant said matter-of-factly. "It's as simple as that. I'm not going to go crazy over it."
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