Playoff Preview: Celtics Finals
The Boston Celtics suffered through a constant stream of tough games against the best the Eastern Conference had to offer. The Boston Celtics took on the Detroit Pistons in a very physical series that left both teams battered and bruised. The Boston Celtics continued their home court dominance and – after failing to win a game on the road in the first two playoff series – the Boston Celtics finally got the road-trip monkey off their backs by picking up two road victories to seal the deal 4-2. PF Kevin Garnett showed why he was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year and an MVP candidate by suffocating the offensive power of the Detroit Pistons and burning them for an average of 22.8 points per game. SF Paul Pierce continued his record-breaking scoring way with a gamebreaking 27 points in game six to send the Detroit Pistons home.
Playoff Preview: Lakers Finals
In what was expected to be a great contest of contrasting styles, the LA Lakers destroyed the defending champion San Antonio Spurs four games to one. Kobe Bryant continued his MVP year by being a scoring machine. Kobe Bryant dropped 39 points in the stinging loss the LA Lakers put on the San Antonio Spurs in game five. Kobe Bryant certainly had help in the rout, thanks to big man Paul Gasol becoming a force in the paint. Pau Gasol not only put up an average of 13.2 points but set an NBA record by bringing in 19 rebounds in game six. Lamar Odom gave the LA Lakers another huge force in the paint. It didn’t hurt that the Los Angeles Lakers enjoyed a bit more rest going into the series than the San Antonio Spurs.
Playoff Preview: Celtics Lineup
Throughout the 2007-2008 NBA Playoffs:
- Point Guard: Rajon Rondo (10.5 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 6.6 AST)
- Shooting Guard: Ray Allen (14.2 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 58-62 FTs)
- Small Forward: Paul Pierce (19 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 4.1 AST)
- Power Forward: Kevin Garnett (21.1 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 3.5 AST)
- Center: Kendrick Perkins (7.2 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.35 BLK)
The trio of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce has become the best core of players in the NBA. The strength of Kevin Garnett is his ability to rule three aspects of the game: scoring, rebounding, and defense. Paul Pierce comes on like a lion with scoring runs that leave opposing defenses breathless. After being shut down by the Cleveland Cavaliers, Ray Allen exploded against the Detroit Pistons and continues to rip teams with free throws every time he goes to the line. The depth of the Boston Celtics is their true strength and will serve them well after the long playoff battles. The emphasis on team basketball and defense has given the Boston Celtics many a win in both the regular season and the playoffs.
Playoff Preview: Lakers Lineup
Throughout the 2007-2008 NBA Playoffs:
- Point Guard: Derek Fisher (10.0 PPG, 2.27 SPG, 2.2 AST)
- Shooting Guard: Kobe Bryant (31.9 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 5.8 AST)
- Power Forward/Center: Paul Gasol (17.7 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 2.47 BLK)
- Power Forward: Lamar Odom (14.7 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 1.4 BLK)
- Power Forward: Vladimir Radmanovic (8.3 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 1.5 AST)
MVP Kobe Byrant has been carrying the LA Lakers on his back for years, but Kobe Bryant finally has help. When Kobe Bryant is double or even triple teamed, he is not afraid to spread the rock around. The power of big man Paul Gasol warrants the attention of defenses and he can destroy teams all his own. His dominant rebounding is the key to the LA Lakers success, controlling the ball. Fellow big man Lamar Odom is also a rebound magnet and a constant threat to take it to the hole. With two big targets to dish the ball to as well as bringing in boards upon boards, Kobe Bryant is able to run wild. Like the Boston Celtics, the LA Lakers also wield a deep bench that is still fresh after a breezy playoff run.
Playoff Preview: Head to Head
The classic battles of size vs. quickness and defense vs. offense will be on full display during the NBA Finals. The huge size differential in favor of the LA Lakers should translate into their superiority in the paint. The duo of Paul Gasol and Lamar Odom has no corresponding match up on the Boston Celtics side of the ball. Boston Celtics C Kendrick Perkins is a big body but not the scoring or pure athletic threat that Paul Gasol is. Gasol vs. Perkins could be the mismatch of the series, even after Perkins caught fire in game six.
With the two mammoths sitting in the paint, look for Kevin Garnett to be made less of a factor than he has been in previous games. However, KG will have his defensive prowess to fall back on and should shut down Lamar Odom. Ray Allen will have to raise his game to compensate the downfall in points, especially with outside shots and three-pointers. The battle at point guard will pit speedy Boston Celtics youngster Rajon Rondo against wily veteran Derek Fisher. Rajon Rondo’s defensive ability will be key in forcing turnovers and could noticeably slow down the LA Lakers offense.
The key match up will be the longstanding battle between Kobe Bryant and Paul Pierce. Historically, Paul Pierce has averaged more points against the LA Lakers than any team in his career. In the playoffs, Paul Pierce went against LeBron James and proved to be a good defender against a superstar. With Garnett having difficulty with Odom and Gasol, Pierce will have to step up his game. Both Kobe Bryant and Paul Pierce will look to light up the scoreboards as the other position battles will be locked up with each other. The dueling clutch shots of Bryant and Pierce should be the scoring show to watch.
With the advantages of playoff experience on the side of the LA Lakers and a more sure control of the paint, the well rested LA Lakers have a slight edge in the NBA Finals. The contrasting styles, philosophies, and schemes of the two teams, with the outstanding array of talent will make for one of the best NBA Finals in recent memory. There is no doubt that the NBA Finals will come down to a game seven, but the size and experience of the LA Lakers will give them the NBA World Championship at the end of the Finals.
Playoff Preview: Schedule
The battle between the LA Lakers and the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals has occurred 10 times before now, with the Boston Celtics having an 8-2 advantage. With history out of the way, the Boston Celtics have home court advantage. Through the playoffs, the Boston Celtics have only lost two home games. In the same breath, the Boston Celtics have only won two road games as well. The Boston Celtics have the advantage of a deeper bench, but the LA Lakers have a more rested starting lineup, thanks to a few blowout series in the playoffs.
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