Sorry for the delay in posting thoughts about Game 5, it's been a busy week at work and at home. I watched Game 5 from my home that is currently without A/C. The only way to stay "cool" is by sitting perfectly still underneath the ceiling fan in the living room, but that wasn't going to happen during a Celtics-Lakers Game 5 with the series tied 2-2. Thoughts from the game:
-The benefit of the temperature at my house being 85+ degrees during the game was that I actually felt like I was at the Garden. Seriously, I really did feel like I was more into the game than normal. I think that there is something about sweating while watching a game that makes you feel like you are really a key participant in the event.
-The downside of the inside temperature being what it was: I drank a 32 ounce Powerade, two 20 ounce bottles of water, ate an ice cream bar, and still almost had to hook myself up to an IV after the game.
-Ok...time for thoughts on the actual game. Paul Pierce came out ready to play. He scored 27 points while only taking two free throws! Most of Pierce's big playoff games are a result of him getting to the line a lot. This performance is a good set up for him to be more aggressive in getting to the rim in Game 6.
-Kevin Garnett played a quietly brilliant game. He finished with 18 points, 10 rebounds, 5 steals, 3 assists, and 2 blocks. KG's performance in the last few games has been critical to the Celtics winning. There has been so much talk about Andrew Bynum and his knee that I think people have forgotten how much KG has stepped up his game since the beginning of the series when he was moving like Vlade Divac in the post.
-Kobe Bryant was as unstoppable as anyone can be in the 3rd quarter of Game 5. He was taking tough shots and he was hitting every one of them. Doc Rivers said it best when he summed up Kobe's performance by saying, "There isn't a better shot maker in the game than Kobe Bryant."
-Kobe still finished the game shooting less than 50% from the field.
-The Lakers failed to cut into Boston's lead during Kobe's hot streak.
-Kobe never found a way to get his team mates involved. No one on the Lakers team seemed to be playing inspired defense. There were times when the Lakers would go for minutes at a time with no one other than Kobe touching the ball on the offensive end of the court.
-Stan Van Gundy said it best when he summed up Derek Fishers flopping, "The guy acts like he just got shot by a sniper every time he shoots a jump shot." That is my issue with Fisher. I am well aware that there are plenty of other guys in the NBA (and in this series) who flop on a regular basis, but his manner in doing so is too much to handle.
A few of the big moments from Game 5 that aren't mentioned in the slide show at the bottom of this post:
-Tony Allen's block on Pau Gasol. For as terrible as Tony is on offense, he really is a great defender (on the ball, off the ball, helpside, etc).
-Rajon Rondo's tip in over Lamar Odom and Kobe was incredible. That moment was the loudest moment of the night in the Green House.
-Ron Artest bricking two critical free throws, Kobe coming down the lane for the rebound, and then Paul Pierce wrestling the ball away from Kobe.
What to look for in Game 6
-How will Andrew Bynum respond to playing 31 minutes in Game 5, flying across the country, and just having one day of rest between games? You've got to love his desire to play and contribute to his team, but at some point he is harming himself and his team more than he is helping them.
-What has happened to Shannon Brown this series?? Will he make any contributions in Game 6?
-Which Rondo will show up? If he is aggressive, the Celtics will win. In Game 5 he had seven turnovers and the Celtics were still in control of the game. He must continue to attack the basket when Kobe is giving him that much room.
-At some point the Lakers will make a run. My guess is that it will be very early. Can the Celtics answer the call and match the early intensity that they had in Games 4 and 5?
Game 5 Slideshow
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