Kobe, Lakers In Good Shape For Crucial Game 2 In Beantown

It finally happened. The Lakers lost a Game 1. Kobe was human for a night. He wasn't "The Closer." But I wouldn't write off the Lakers yet or start changing predictions. Here's why:

First, I will give the Celtics some credit. Emphasis on SOME. Yes, they are the best defense in the league in the regular season. Yes, they are the best defense in the post season. In the classic debate of offense vs. defense, the old adage goes, "Defense wins championships."

At first glance it might appear that the Lakers are in trouble, but with a little fine tuning, they will be right back where they want to be.

How?

Kobe, the great player that he is, will look at the tape and learn which spots he can operate most effectively from. Additionally, he's not going to shoot another dismal 9-26 from the field. The great ones always pick up their play after a bad game.

The third thing is, while he certainly did take some tough shots (and again, some credit due to the Celtic D) I will point out that many of those shots were ones that usually stay down and just popped back out. Likewise for many open threes that just didn't fall for Vujacic and the rest.

Also, any first game jitters for the Laker supporting cast will have been gone by Game 2. If they tighten their rebounding (where they got beat 46-33) and their three point defense, and continue their great defense on Paul Pierce (he really only got off for one quarter), then they will be in great shape to take Game 2.

Game 2 tonight has huge implications. If the Celtics win, then they definitely know they are coming back home for a Game 6, in the worst case scenario. However, if the Lakers win, they could pull a page from the Detroit Pistons 2004 handbook and sweep all three at home, where they are unbeaten.

It is also worth noting at this juncture Boston's less-than-stellar 2-6 record on the road. Additionally, with a split, the Lakers would even have the luxury of losing one at Staples and still having a 3-2 advantage coming back to Boston.

The games still need to be played, the offenses executed, and the defenses rotated, but I expect a Laker win tonight and a 15th championship rafter hanging in LA.

Lakers in six.