Game Three: A Shaky Win for the Lakers

The L.A. Lakers won Game Three against the Boston Celtics and it was a thoroughly unconvincing win. It was a 87 - 81 victory, thanks to a thirty six point performance from Kobe Bryant. The lack of help was staggering. No Lakers starter, other than Kobe Bryant, scored in double figures.

This game was saved by solid support from the Lakers bench. Sasha Vujacic scored twenty points and played his usual frenetic defense. Jordan Farmar had a solid game and showed some toughness in not backing down from P.J. Brown. Trevor Ariza looked much more comfortable in this game, scored and made his presence felt defensively.

Other than Kobe Bryant, the Lakers starters were ineffective. This is surprising since the entire season hinged on this one game. A win for the Celtics would have meant an ‘almost impossible’ 3-0 lead in the series. The expectation would have been a focused, intense effort from the Lakers starters. Instead, it was Kobe Bryant carrying the starting unit:

• Vladimir Radmanovic had more fouls than points. He had four fouls and three points in thirteen minutes.
• Pau Gasol did not have a field goal in the first half.
• Lamar Odom continued to struggle. Along with Vladimir Radmanovic, Lamar Odom had more fouls than points. He had five fouls and four points. Lamar Odom was 2 for 9 in shot attempts.
• Derek Fisher made one shot in six attempts.

link: Game Three

In the most important game of the season, the Lakers starters truly failed to give Kobe Bryant much support. Without the twenty points from Sasha Vujacic, the Lakers would have been preparing for the summer break. The Lakers were fortunate to win with strong play from Kobe Bryant and the bench players. The Lakers cannot count on another six point performance from Paul Pierce. The home team Lakers could have been easily lost Game Three. They barely escaped a three to zero deficit.

Catherine Forsythe