| How The Celtics Are Up 2-0 Authored by Brandon Hoffman - June 9, 2008 - 8:41 pm
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How have they done it?
• By getting consistent contribution from their bench
The Celtics bench has outscored the Lakers reserves 52-37 in the first two games of this series. Leon Powe erupted for 21 points in game 2 but the Celtics have also received quality minutes from James Posey, Sam Cassell, and P.J. Brown.
• By stymieing the Lakers offense
LA’s offense has been stagnant. Credit Boston’s defense for overplaying the passing lanes, overloading the strong side, and eliminating the ball reversals that are so important to the triangle.
• By being the aggressors
The Celtics are attacking the Lakers offense with penetration. Whether that penetration results in a high percentage shot or a drive-and-dish opportunity, the Celtics are putting the pressure on the Lakers and forcing them to play on their heels. That aggression has resulted in foul trouble for the Lakers and free throw opportunities for the Celtics.
• By moving the basketball
The Celtics are averaging 25.5 assists per game – five more than the Lakers. On the surface that difference seems inconsequential but when broken down into percentages it means the Celtics are assisting on almost 20% more of their field goals. Boston assisted on 31 of their 36 made field goals in game 2.
• By turning their perceived weaknesses into strengths
Coming into this series, the Lakers seemed to have a decidedly large advantage at point guard, on the bench, and on the sidelines. Chalk two games up to the Celtics on the first two points and if they don’t own an advantage on the third, it’s a tie. Rajon Rondo is outplaying Derek Fisher and defensive mastermind Tom Thibodeau’s schemes have succeeded in taking away many of the triangle offense’s strengths.
• By NEVER losing focus on defense
The Celtics are extremely disciplined. One through five – they’re always in perfect ball-man position – meaning they never lose sight of the ball and their defensive assignment. Their defensive spacing is superb as well. Each defender seemingly moves in unison when the offense penetrates or passes the basketball. It’s almost as if all five defenders are tied to a string and the movement of one defender automatically results in the movement of another. It’s little more than textbook defense but the Celtics could have written the book.
Boston is up 2-0
The Celtics have also received the benefit of the doubt from the officials. Boston owns a 73-38 advantage at the free throw line through the first two games. If history is an indication, Boston won’t receive the same advantage when the series switches to LA for what will be a three game homestand for the Lakers.
But if history is any indication the Lakers have little chance of winning this series after losing the first two games. The team that wins the first two games virtually always wins the series.
The 2-3-2 format could play dividends for the Lakers and they can take solace in the fact that although the adds are stacked against them, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Utah Jazz came back from 0-2 deficits last season. The San Antonio Spurs, whom the Lakers beat in the Western Conference Finals, also came back to defeat the New Orleans Hornets in the Conference Semifinals after losing by an average of 19 points in that series’ first two games.
The Detroit Pistons won all 3 of their middle series home games against the Los Angeles Lakers in 2004. The Miami Heat did the same versus the Dallas Mavericks in 2006.
The Lakers are undefeated at home in the playoffs (8-0) and the Celtics are 2-7 on the road.
Add it all up and the Celtics have reason to be optimistic.
But this series is far from over.
Visit Brandon Hoffman's NBA blog BallerBlogger and feel free to contact Brandon via e-mail (ballerblogger@yahoo.com) with comments or questions |
