There was no Christmas miracle for the Boston Celtics this year. Their 19 game winning streak and the league’s best record to 29 games is over.
In a game that the stats tell only part of the story, the Celtics played an unCeltic-like game and lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in a packed and loud Staples Arena on Christmas Day.
In honesty, both teams made their share of mistakes. Both had open shots they failed to knock down time and again. That means that both teams went through moments of fairly late rotations and just plain bad defense.
The biggest Celtic lead occurred with their first shot, a three pointer to start the game’s scoring. They would hang close and even regain the lead a few times, even late into the game. Their last lead was 81-79 with 3:56 left to play.
In a game that I wondered how the Celtics were staying so close, with the way they were playing, they finally hit the rut that put the game out of reach in the final few minutes.
It wasn’t that they were playing badly. They shot pretty well (.468%). They rebounded very well (40 to 35) . They had an acceptable number of assists (22 on 36 made baskets). They just did nothing that could gain them control of the game, and they played somewhat lethargically in stretches.
With the scored tied at 81, the team that executed best would win the game. That team was definitely not the Celtics. But give credit to the Lakers. They really did not allow Rondo, nor any other Celtic to get going all night, and they made big plays when they needed them.
Pau Gasol made numerous big shots, starting with a little jump shot and a jump hook with the score tied at 81 with 3:37 left. He followed that with two big blocks, one against Ray Allen with 1:17 left and another against Pierce shortly after that. Game over.
The 83 points the Celtics scored were their second lowest output of the year.
Rondo’s twelve assists looked better than he played. He never really put it high gear to shred the defense all night. The tall frontline of the Lakers either rebuffed his penetration or made it largely ineffectual. Rondo’s shot was blocked three times, as well.
Kevin Garnett’s 22 points on 11-14 shooting and 9 rebounds were solid, even excellent, but no where near as dominant a game as it appeared.
Pierce’s double double of 22 points, and 10 rebounds were solid, including a strong 3rd quarter, but Paul was unable to deliver the kind of offense that would change the game and was shut out in the 4th quarter. He added 5 TOs.
Ray Allen was often guarded by Derek Fisher and couldn’t take advantage of it, hitting just 3 of
11 three point shots, while finishing with 14 points.
As first introduced in the Finals, Kobe often guarded Rondo, while Luke Walton and Fisher took turns on Pierce.
The Celtics bench was game but mostly outplayed again. Teams have caught on to a trend of using their first unit (or portions of it) against them to create an advantage they never would get against the Celtics’ starting five. It has been effective. But, make no mistake, the Celtics don’t have an Odom or Ariza on their bench at the moment.
Three Pointers From Heaven
Lamar Odom made two three pointers and had but eight on the year previously. Even worse, Luke Walton made two three point shots in the contest and only three all year previously.
These are not the type of scoring flurries you will see often. Whether it bodes poorly for the Celtic defense, or just fortunate for the Lakers offense, it is an anomaly.
Kobe Bryant led both teams with 27 points, 16 in the first half, and Pau Gasol added 20 points, 14 in the second half. Gasol erupted for 7 points in the critical point from 2:48 to 1:28 left in the contest.
The Celtics won the battle of the paint 44-34, but again, that number is a bit deceiving, as the Lakers kept the Cs out when they needed to most, down the stretch.
The Lakers won a game they needed to, and the Celtics were a bit late in what they tried to do most of the night. The rematch is February 5th in Boston.
Dikembe Mutombo is rumored to be signing with the Celtics or Spurs by the New Year. This was a game that highlighted the need for height of the bench behind Perkins. Davis and Powe are excellent at what they do, but it is asking a lot of them to deal with talented 7 footers like Gasol and Bynum.
Summary
A very competitive game the whole way, if not perfectly played, the Laker win only adds to the league intrigue of who the best team is going forward.
Unusual Stats of the Night
Kendrick Perkins 34 minutes – 7 rebounds – zero assists – 2 blocks – 8 points
Andrew Bynum 35:37 minutes – 7 rebounds – zero assists – 2 blocks – 9 points
Next up for Boston: Golden State tonight at 10:30
