Lakers vs. Celtics Game 5: It's All About Heart With NBA Finals on the Line

It has become apparent that there isn't that much difference in the talent level in the Finals this year.  Both teams have sustained losses on their home-court that would have made cowards of lesser teams.

The way that both benches have stepped up in Games 3 and 4 show how the coaches are able to adjust to any scenario.  

They are the top two defensive teams in the league and it has shown in the jagged play of the offensive stars.  Fatigue has also been a major issue for most of the series for the Celtics.  

Yet through it all, they find themselves in a 2-2 tie with one game left at home to have a better chance at banner 18. 

The Game 4 win may have earned Boston's starters a much needed rest, while Kobe and Pau Gasol averaged over 40 minutes due to Andrew Bynums’ injury.

Bynum was unable to withstand the swelling in his knee and the Celtics had free reign of the paint.

It didn't help that Gasol and Lamar Odom weren't able to stop Glen "Big Baby" Davis; he hit them up for 18 bench points.

The oft maligned referees have indeed been doing the best they can, so we all should allow them to do their jobs.  It was Ron Artest's take-down of Paul Pierce in Game 1 that has had them a little bit antsy. It seems that once again Ron-Ron has caused a major disturbance in the basketball universe.

Finals ratings prove that fans enjoy watching two fundamentally sound and mentally tough teams play. 

Both teams are at a crossroads with a flashing red-light; they see the Larry O'Brien Trophy through the windshield of their championship drive.  

They have both made strategic maneuvers that have had fans lobbying for their respective teams claim to victory.  

It has been a torrid affair and it has left the normally strong hearted reaching for more than one pint of beer.

Each teams’ fans have formed a grudging respect for each other because they understand they are witnessing a gift from the basketball gods.

This is a true battle of champions, who are looking to take one step closer to their stated pre-season goal to win a championship with a Game 5 win.