2010 NBA Finals: Boston Celtics Even Series With Mental Toughness
Kudos to the Boston Celtics for overcoming an embarrassing performance in Game 1.
Their mental toughness in Game 2 evened the series at 1-1 in their 103-94 win in L.A. at the Staples Center.
If it wasn't for Boston guards Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen, the Celtics would be staring down the barrel in a 0-2 hole.
Allen was on fire in the first half with his three-point shooting. He hit seven of them in the half. His eighth basket from downtown set a new NBA record held by Kenny Smith.
I don't understand why one of the Lakers didn't at least hack Allen on the shot and make him earn his points at the line.
C'mon! This is playoff basketball! Nothing should come that easy.
Forwards Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Glen Davis didn't impact the game on offense Sunday, but they were active on defense and went after loose balls.
Rondo had a triple-double with 19 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists.
The Boston rally down the stretch began and ended with Rondo after trailing 90-89.
He turned the game around for the Celtics with his layup with three minutes and 21 seconds left in the game.
Rondo grabbed the loose ball after forward Kevin Perkins' shot was blocked by the Lakers' Pau Gasol and drove to the basket.
After Boston took a 91-90 lead, they never looked back.
Their 16-4 late run made the Lakers look bad.
L.A. got punked in their own building. It was their first home loss in the postseason.
Kobe Bryant didn't have a great shooting night Sunday, making only 8-for-20 shots and had 21 points.
Boston coach Doc Rivers even wanted a piece of the action.
He ran on the floor at the 1:27 mark of the fourth quarter to call a time out.
The Celtics had one second to get the ball past halfcourt, or they would lose the ball on the eight second rule.
Doc looked tired after returning to the bench.
I thought the Celtics did what they set out to do.
They can win all three of their home games without returning to L.A.
If the Lakers win one of those games in Boston, the series will swing in their favor at home.
L.A. threw the first punch in the first game and Boston counter-punched in the second game.
My favorite to win the Finals is still Boston.
They may be old, but they're going down swinging, if it has to be that way.
