Game 3 Review

Game 3- Lakers 91 Celtics 84
A near-impossible shot with 0.4 seconds left, two big three's vs. the Magic in the Finals last year, now this.

Clutch and Derek Fisher are synonymous. And no performance may be bigger than this one. I stressed the importance of this game in a previous blog, and Fisher knew it as well. In a fourth quarter where Kobe Bryant went 1 for 6 and nobody else stood up. Pau Gasol finished with a mere 13 points and Lamar Odom finally stepped up his game and the bench scoring along with him with 12 points.

Derek Fisher felt the momentum swinging. The Lakers had a 17 point lead at one point in the second quarter, but they were now only leading by six versus a tough Celtics squad that was due for a run. And they made their run, but Derek Fisher answered every shot they made with one of his own. The biggest shot for Fisher, actually, the biggest shot of the game, of the series, of the playoffs, of the season, was made with his wit and his will.

A brilliant play by a seasoned veteran would have never happened if he didn't switch on a screen with Ron Artest. Artest chased around Ray Allen on this certain play, who missed yet another 3-pointer. Allen was 0-13 from the field and missed as many 3's this game as he made for Game 2, 8. Fisher grabbed the rebound and hesitated. He then saw a row of four Celtics jogging back. For many, this would have been a sign to slow it down and jog as well. Not for Fisher. He pushed the ball to halfcourt and saw his advantage. He sped by a slow Kevin Garnett while Paul Pierce, who pretty much guaranteed a win this game, looked for instruction from his coach.

As Fisher neared the hoop, he snuck in a layup while getting hit in the head by Garnett, mauled by Glen Davis, and landed on by Ray Allen. They could only give a foul to one person, Davis, and only one person knew success during this play, Fisher. Kobe screamed, I hit the roof, and the Lakers were up by 7 after a made free throw.

The dagger had been set into the heart of the Celtics, their fans, the city of Boston, and Paul Pierce's dignity. The Lakers deflected off any run that the Celtics tried to make after the layup that sealed the game.

With the win under their belt, the Lakers may prove Paul Pierce correct. Maybe they "ain't coming back to LA." If the Lakers win the next two games, they don't have to.

The Celtics may be desperate in Game 4 and may continue the trend of lose a game, win a game, but the Lakers may also have them stunned. I see a very tough and close game four. And of course I think the Lakers will win.

I watched game 3 in silence with my dad and with both of us being experienced fans of the NBA, we didn't have to point out the obvious and the exciting plays were more exciting without the background noise that could have been distracting. We broke down each play ourselves and watched the post game interviews after. It was awesome and I highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of the game in its purest form. Try it out for game four, even if its for only a couple minutes. You will find out you know more about the game than you thought. Good luck.