Kobe’s Big Fourth Seals The Deal As Lakers Top Celtics In Game Three 87-81

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA PLAYOFFS

After game two of the NBA Finals Los Angeles Lakers?coach Phil Jackson in his post game remarks addressed the disparity in fouls called in the game. The total weighed heavily in the Boston Celtics favor, Jackson said he had never seen such a huge margin a NBA Finals game. Lakers guard Kobe Bryant knew why his team did not make many trips to the charity stripe, they weren’t aggressive enough. So on Tuesday night Bryant decided to set the tone early, penetrating often and getting the call. However the Association’s MVP saved his best for the fourth quarter, as he came up big helping lead the Lakers to an 87-81 victory over the Celtics, to give Los Angeles their first win in the series. Lakers super-sub Sasha Vujacic?made an?impact as well scoring 20 points, including some clutch treys. Boston leads?the series 2-1.

For the first time in a long time we have a NBA Final series that has lived up to the pre-series hyperbole. Game one featured Celtics forward Paul Pierce being carried off the floor by teammates after spraining his right knee. He would make a dramatic return to the floor a few minutes later, his knee encased in a protective sleeve, and would help the “Green Team” win the game 88-78.? Game two looked like it was going to be a Boston blowout, as the Lakers trailed in the fourth quarter by 24 points. However they would not quit, and cut the lead to two before Ray Allen and James Posey hit clutch free throws to give Boston a 108-102 victory. Game three was the first played on the West Coast, and it matched the excitement of the first two games in Boston.

The Lakers started off the game definitely looking the be the more aggressive team as they opened up with a 9-2 run. L.A. was penetrating early, while the Celtics were settling for lower percentage outside shots. But Boston got their act together by the ned of the period and at the end of the first quarter, the teams were deadlocked 20-20. Los Angeles again came out of the gate hot in the second quarter, and grabbed a 40-29 lead with 4:01 left in the period as Kobe hit an outside shot. But the Celtics again had a strong end of the quarter, and the Lakers lead was down to just six points at the half 43-37. Boston kept chipping away at the Lakers and took their first lead of the second half when Kevin Garnett hit back to back baskets, to give the Celts the lead at 51-49 with 5:11 remaining in the third. The “Green Team“?would hold onto the lead as the two opponents headed into the final 12 minutes of play with Boston ahead 62-60. Los Angeles would get their first?lead?of the fourth quarter as Bryant hit a 25 foot trey with 6:54 left in the game as the Lakers led 69-68. Los Angeles never surrendered the lead the rest of the contest, Boston would come within two points at 78-76 as “The Big Ticket” hit an outside shot, but Garnett’s basket was the closest the Celtics got the rest of the night.

Kobe scored a game high a game high 36 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 assist, in the Los Angeles victory. Sasha Vujacic who has had a lot of big nights during the regular season for the Lakers had his strongest game of the playoffs as he came off the bench and scored 20 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block.

Ray?Allen?led the Boston effort as he scored 25 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block. Kevin?Garnett had his second consecutive double-double, as he scored 13 points, grabbed 12 boards, 5 assists, 3 blocks, 1 steal. Paul Pierce who had big games in the first two games?had a sub-par game scoring only?6 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal. Boston leads the series now 2-1, game four will be at the Staples Center Thursday night.

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2 Responses to “Kobe’s Big Fourth Seals The Deal As Lakers Top Celtics In Game Three 87-81”

Ryan on June 11th, 2008 3:09 pm

Kobe was first class last night. Aside from Sasha, the Lakers do not have much else to be happy about though. It was a matter of Boston just playing worse. Boston did have Ray Allen getting hot, which was what they need. My money is still on the Celtics.

-Ryan (my post about the game..http://clearmindblog.com/?p=9 )
Eric on June 11th, 2008 5:58 pm

Kobe wouldn’t be denied , and Sasha made up for that dumb shot he took in game 2.His clutch three pointer help seal this game off.

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