Saturday, June 12, 2010

Basketball anyone???

Lakers vs. Celtics Game 4: Boston Bench Lifts Celtics To Tie Series With Lakers

Another epic chapter in the Celtics-Lakers series will be added to the books this year, and if Boston and Los Angeles keep alternating wins the way they have in the first four games of this series, there could be a Game Seven coming soon.
Glen "Big Baby" Davis and Nate Robinson led an offensive attack, combining for 30 points off the bench to defeat the Los Angeles Lakers 96-89 in Game Four of the NBA Finals to tie their best-of-seven series 2-2.
Davis had 18 points in 22 minutes, and Robinson scored 12 points in 17 minutes to give Boston much needed production from the bench. The bench sparked Boston's victory, scoring 21 of the 36 Celtics points in the fourth quarter.
However, the Celtics' starters gave the bench plenty of help as they led a balanced attack tonight, with four players reaching double figures.
Boston's transition defense also improved dramatically as they had 15 fast break points while allowing only two fast break points to L.A.
Paul Pierce led the way for the Celtics scoring 19 points, and adding six rebounds and five assists.
Rajon Rondo had 10 points for Boston, the biggest two coming in the final minute of the game, when, with the game still up for grabs, he intercepted a Kobe Bryant pass and drove down the court for a wide open lay-up to the cheers of the Boston crowd.
After a horrific 0-for-13 shooting performance in Game Three, Ray Allen bounced back with a decent game, scoring 12 points on 4-for-11 shooting.
Boston needed to play with a sense of urgency to avoid trailing the series 3-1, and that is exactly what they accomplished.
The more aggressive team was undoubtedly the Celtics, as they outrebounded the Lakers, 41-34, and dominated L.A. in offensive boards, 16-8.
Kobe Bryant had 33 points and six rebounds but committed seven turnovers in a losing effort for the Lakers.
After suffering a knee injury in Game Three, Andrew Bynum only scored two points in limited action.
Pau Gasol finished with 21 points.
If the Lakers want to win Game Five and take the lead back in the series, rebounding would be a good start. In the first four games of these NBA Finals, the team that outrebounds the other has won all four times.
When trailing in a series in the 2010 NBA Playoffs, Boston is 4-0 in the game after they fall behind in the series.
Game Five will be paramount for both teams and expect a physical, intense battle.
Out of the 25 occurrences when a series is tied 2-2 in the NBA Finals, the team that wins Game Five has won the series 76 percent of the time.
Game Five will be Sunday night in Boston.

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