I am convinced that Big Baby and Nate could have a great second career as a comedy team. Those two totally cracked me up during their post game press conference the other night. They deserved their time in the spotlight after the way they both played in game 4. They were totally out-playing the Lakers starters. It helped that Phil had those starters in for over 40 minutes and Big Baby and Nate had fresh legs. I love that our bench is producing and making a difference. I hope Danny brings Nate back. I have really gotten to like the little guy. One of the funniest lines about the Nate and Baby show came on CSN-NE Sports Tonight. They showed the following picture and then someone said "That's what happens when you put football players on a basketball court." Too funny.
Kudo's to Doc for keeping the bench in down the stretch. He had the starters at the table ready to go back in and then pulled them back. Also kudos to our very unselfish starters who thought that was a great idea and instead of sulking as some might have, they all continued to cheer for and encourage the guys on the floor who were producing.
My favorite play in the whole game was Pierce punching Eddie F Rush. I know it was a complete accident (at least Pierce did a good job of making it look that way)but it just made my day after those two horrendous technical fouls that Rush called on Perk in the Orlando series. It is still a joke that both of them weren't taken back but that would have made the refs look like the incompetent jerks that they have proven themselves to be. In case you missed it, here it is again. I just can't get enough of watching this. Pierce did what every Celtics fan has wanted to do since that horrible Game 5 in the Orlando series.
One thing that was great about Big Baby, Sheed, and Nate coming up big as they did in game 4, the Celtics starters all were able to get a good rest while the Lakers starters had to play big minutes. Ray ended up with 41 minutes because he was out there with the bench players trying to keep the second unit in line. KG played only 26 minutes and Rondo just 31. Of course with 2 days off, they all get to rest a bit more, but that does put a bit more wear and tear on Kobe especially who is either hurting or very tired, although he denied both in his press conference.
Quote of the day from Cornbread Maxweell: "There was once a time when if I saw a Laker on fire and I had a glass of water, I'd drink the water." My thoughts exactly, Max. My thoughts exactly.
The refs finally let them play in game 4 and it made for a much more enjoyable game without every player in foul trouble. My biggest worry going into game 5 is the fact that the refs may once again try to take over the game. We will get 3 refs out of the 9 that called the first 3 games so terribly. The Celtics just need to play well enough and adjust to how the game is being called and win in spite of the refs, just like they did in game 2. But if they go back to calling every little bump on the Celtics then it is going to be tough. Maybe game 4 was a sign that the refs are loosening up and will let them play from here on out. We can only hope.
I've been a fan of Tim Donaghy since reading his book shortly after it came out. I think he makes a lot of very logical and believable points that are very obviously being illustrated by the officials in the games. In games 1-3, the refs were absolutely controlling the games and there were almost as many stories about the terrible officiating as there were about the games. Game 4 was the first decently officiated game in the series. Henry Abbott (who always picks against the Celtics in every series, so that shows you something) has a piece on TrueHoop that is anything but true. He uses semi-truths and facts out of context to make his point. Mr Donaghy refutes the article here, on his Facebook page.
In the end, Mr Abbott says to let our eyes, ears and intuition be our guide in deciding whether the current referee corps is compromised. Well I have done that and what I have seen absolutely bears out what Tim Donaghy says in his book and in his interviews. In reading Celtics boards, opponents boards, and all the news articles about the officiating in these finals, I would have to say that the majority of fans and writers have also come to this conclusion. There is a problem with the officiating in the NBA and something must change. That is Tim Donaghy's message. That has to be the message of every NBA fan if we want the league to regain it's credibility.
Again a lot of complaints about the refs but I think some that watched objectively saw that they were letting a lot go on both ends of the floor. Amazingly, there was a lot of trashing of their own team and threats of violence toward Lamar Odom. I think it almost bothered them more that they got beat by Nate and Big Baby than the fact that they lost.
Game 4 is where we can bury the dagger, its our time to shine
Must win for the Celtics, lakers are going to have to match their energy and not be complacent with one win in Boston.
The Celtics struggle mightily when Rondo is off the floor, Nate is who he's always going to be....erratic and streaky. Players like that can only hurt you once in a while but more often than not he's a detriment to his team. Winning Game 4 will put the noose around the Celtics necks, I'll be more than happy to pull the rope that hangs them........It's time to finish these punks off.
Kobe is due to win us a game in this series. Win the next game, and we get that much closer to making Paul Pierce's prediction happen.
We missed a chance to really knock the C's on their heels in Game 2, let's not give them another chance to bounce back - this game would be a nail in the coffin for them
Last years final felt like an exhibition game compared to this. Breathe in, breathe out...
I'm not so sure we wouldn't rather have Perkins keep playing this way, but with his Tech status and a 2-1 lead this would be the game I'd choose to goad him into a double tech. Again, why worry about Perk, why give them a rallying cry and all, but if it were an advantage(because sheed sucks), I think you take advantage of it with 4min of Josh Powell
DJ will get that tech on Perkins the minute he checks in
I'm just worried that the Lakers big emotional win, will make them to comfortable and not be ready for game 4
Pierce is gonna get abused so bad
Referees for Lakers-Celtics Game 4 tonight: Scott Foster, Eddie F. Rush and Greg Willard.
Foster was lead ref for Lakers' Game 6 WC finals clincher in PHX. He also worked Lakers' OT victory in Game 4 of 2009 NBA Finals in ORL
But remember Foster has screwed us in some games too.....just saying.
How come ray Allen gets away with all those push offs? Watch the game and you'll see before every screen ray runs by, he first pushes fisher than begins to run. I say we bring mbenga in one play and tell him to just level ray..
Honestly, I've got a bad feeling about this game. The Celtics are gonna come out with a lot of intensity, and it'll be up to L.A. To weather the early storm. And the way our team just keeps blowing these big and/or late leads is terrifying. You know it's gonna come back to bite us in the butt.
I think we're going to have to win 5 on 8. I hope everyone brings it, and Kobe finds his jumpshot!
it's a do or die game for the Celtics, so be sure that they will leave everything they have on the floor and I expect major home cooking from the zebras.
Lakers are the better team. They are going to make Paulina's prophecy come true and win both games 4 and 5. No way they beat us a gain.
Would love to see the idiot Boston fans crying all the way home to their mommies. Doc Rivers is nothing more then a hypocrite and a punk, just like his team
We will have to play almost perfect ball to overcome the refs
The team is not playing good basketball, Boston played horribly and still would have beaten us if not for fisher having the best quarter of his life.
Lamar is going to have to play the game of his career if Bynum's limited. Celtics go on runs whenever Odoms been in the game essentially.
No letting up. Step on their throats, go up 3-1
Don't you mean kick them in their throats?
Pierce is due for a good game, I think this is it. He will be limited with Artest guarding him but I expect a good game out of Pierce for game 4. Ray Allen isn't going to have a horrendous night on offense either, so I expect those 2 players to come up big for Boston. We have to limit their bench players, I mean Big Baby? Seriously? He wasn't doing anything special but getting layups.
Feed Gasol whenever KG is on him. Sheed is actually playing terrific defense on Pau.
I gotta give it to Paul Pierce, he knows how to make predictions. Lakers win.
Does anyone know if Doc Rivers got fined for his comments about the officiating?
I am calling it...Lakers win by double digits....
We are about to get the Boston Celtics hardest and best punch. The question is whether we can withstand it and keep fighting. We have to avoid a tied up series tonight!
Magic picks Boston again.
Good, he's been wrong in Game 2, wrong in Game 3, and hopefully wrong again.
No disrespect but the last two people to sing the national anthem, sucks...
Can Boston find any one good to sing the national anthem and not same crack head In game 3 and in game 4
Can you guys believe Tony Allen thinks Kobe kicked him on purpose?
Pierce looks like he want to do something tonight....BRING IT you punk
If the national anthems foretell game results, we are in for a good night.
Pierce begins with a flop. Stab that fool.
Celtics defense has been so dirty and cheap. Of course refs are not going to call it, its ray Allen, he can't be in foul trouble.
You can already see how the refs are calling the game.
Quit blaming the refs for everything. The refs aren't forcing Artest to go 1 on 5 and act like an idiot.
Oh wow. The Stern Effect is in effect.
I'm calling it now, we can't win... that's 2 fouls already the refs didn't call
No fouls called on the C???? Looks like stern is selling the series to go 7 games...
WOW RAY IS ALLOWED TO HACK AND GRAB SO MUCH
I'm calling it now.. Boston will have 2 or 3 times the amount of FTS than the Lakers.
Guess sending in that tape worked.
Less calls tonight...finally "letting them play"
Kobe looks like he drunk some beers before the game
I wish Kobe would just pass the ball ray Allen is a Kobe stopper
Here goes the b.s. Calls. They wont be able to breathe on Pierce tonight.
I'm shocked that was a call our way
They're playing all out, we're coasting, and we're tied. I'll take it.
Since when is Ray Allen a good defender? C'mon Kobe, you're getting single coverage, stop being so bad.
Oh (bleep) PP just punched Ed Rush. Game over.
Pierce punched a reff. I expect we start getting calls.
Artest is killing us on both ends. Time to sit and let a real player give it a shot.
Celtics driving in, Lakers settling for jumpers. Not exactly the recipe for success.
Thank you! Its so obvious and most people are leaning on the ref crutch.
Got lucky! It was not a foul at all..
Celtics can't buy a technical...they do whatever they want with no recourse
I just wanna see rasheed get sucker punched
35% shooting and getting outrebounded. Odom is the Celtics MVP
How come Ray Allen has never been considered a good defender. Posey gets a lot of credit for '08, but I recall it was difficult for Kobe to shake Allen in '08 as well. When Allen was in Seattle, Kobe got by him pretty well. I think Allen couldn't guard young athletic Kobe, but he obviously know how to guard the mature Kobe.
Low score because this is dirty and ugly basketball. Celtics are allowed to hack and push and jump on players to keep the score low but they suck too bad to capitalize on it.
Figures Nate torches us energizer midget
Nate thinks he's actually good.
Davis owns Odom on the boards again.
If lamar continues to get out played by fat Davis we are in big trouble!
Wow, Artest just blew by Pierce.
Old age
Celtics are beating us to all the loose balls - is the difference between the score and us being up 10+
Odom is getting pushed around by every Celtic big.
I noticed that he didn't want any part of Perkins under the rim.
We're getting out hustled. They have more rebounds, more steals, and more second shots! We should be up by at least double digits!
Kobe trying to get tech on perks lol
Kobe Gasol and Ron Ron all gave Porkins a shove walking by. Too bad he didn't take the bait and pick up another t.
I hate Perkins face. I haven't seen him smile. He's either look mad or mad!
That's a wrap. Phil is a moron staying with this lineup so long.
FIVE Turnovers for Kobe
He's going for that triple double Seriously the ball needs to be taped to Kobe's hands, he is a turnover machine
That was a quick 3 second call on garnett. I'd be mad too.
That should have been a foul on Garnett instead of 3 sec violation. He grabbed Pau's neck.
You didn't get the memo? Anything the refs can let the ancient Celtics "future hall of famers"get away with so they don't look decrepit is allowed.
Garnett gets a three second call with 20 seconds left on the shot clock
LA getting some homecooking. Oh, wait...
BAD CALL REFS dammit that wasn't 3 seconds. I don't want no excuses for this game
That 3 sec call was a straight up MAKE UP CALL To our favour....I'm not complaining
I think they called 3 secs because they didn't want to call foul on garnett but it back fires
KG...die in a fire.
Pau is bothered by Perkins. 2008 all over again without Drew.
I can't stand Odom
Triangle = wasting the shot clock so we can put up a terrible shot with 3 seconds left.
Celtics are so damn lucky were not hitting on all cylinders
It seems Perkins has UNLIMITED get out of TECHNICALS FREE CARDS.
That's because if he gets one more, he is suspended 1 game..no way does the Devil Stern allow that to happen
Garnett pretty much goaded Odom to take that awful shot and he fell for it.
Rondo sucks.
Can we stop running the triangle, its an utter failure.
We deserve to lose. This is embarrassing.
Thank God, Allen missed that....I don't think I can handle seeing his mom again.
Artest is simply a disaster on offense this game and the large majority of this series. Celtics don't even have to bother guarding the guy.
Worst game I've ever seen in my life. Lakers played terrible defense. Game 5 is a must win. How the heck do you let players like Big Baby and Nate Robinson go off, are you serious?
This scares me a little... The Celtics look terrible, and they're only down three. I just remember that run the C's went on Game 3 where their D kicked in. I like this caution in the air crowd it's translating on the court, there is no emotion for the C's. If the games close, 24 is Klosing this game down.
Boston resorting to dirty tactics because they know they cant deal with the LAL
Kobe trying to get in Perks head I like.
Kobe baiting Perkins all the way.
This is the Celtics run, better now than in the fourthm, they are gonna be dead in the fourth and will have to rely on Rondo again. The LAL have to keep working and they'll be fine.
Pau butterfingers, Kobe butterfingers, Ron retarded
HOW IS THE 6'4" 396lbs. Big fat Davis beating our big men to the ball, wtf!!
How does Davis get his shots over Gasol?
That fat whale is having his way with us.
Phil is blowing it....absolutely blowing it
We're getting beaten by 4 scrubs and Ray Allen all because we won't box out or show life on offense.
I'd rather have the Celtics starters in there
Is there a SINGLE PLAYER ON THE LAKERS that understands if Rondo is in the area he doesn't QUIT????????? He will find you. He will poke you. He will take the ball from you!
Can't really blame this on the refs, Lakers had the game won and blew it by turning the ball over and taking stupid shots
Celtics could beat the freaking Dream Team with the stuff they're allowed to get away with on defense.
Ok finally some calls
Ha moving screen on Celtics!! EAT IT DOC RIVERS. EAT ITTTTTTTTTTTTT
That's impossible..according to Doc they don't do that
Oh the refs now decide to call the foul when Gasol has a clean shot at the basket?
WE ABSOLUTLY SUCK SUCK SUCK SUCK, ONLY REASON WE'RE WITH THEM IS KOBE'S 3'S, PATHETICCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC
We lead after 3 = we win
Odom played nearly 30min and had 4pts and 7rebounds.
Davis played half that time and has far better stats than Odom. Pathetic.
I know Fat Baby has about a 1000 pounds on Odom, but he has to be more aggressive getting into rebounding position. He's getting pushed off his spot constantly.
Refs have gone from calling everything to calling absolutely nothing. I think I've seen about 20 fouls not called just in the 3rd quarter....about 12-15 should have gone against Boston.
Phil should just take out odom every time bbd is in
Sasha has been brutal tonight, by the way. He looks scared to death.
Man I'm so nervous this is the swing game...we give this up all of a sudden Boston thinks they can hang with us
Big Baby is the MVP of Boston.
I would trade BBD for Odom straight up at this point.
Give the ball to Kobe FFS. Why the (bleep) is Ego Ear running this offense?
Biggest game of the year, and lakers getting out hussled by the Boston bench. I'm getting disappointed
Phil showing why he is the most overrated coach ever
Why is Farmar in trying to play hero ball?
Davis is scoring over EVERYBODY
This Laker team can't handle the Celtic defense.
Celtics with all the calls right now.
I want to shoot lamar right in the face
Thank you Lakers. You're a perfect example of why teams that can't hustle should lose to inferior competition.
This was a golden opportunity to go up 3-1. The Lakers are letting it slip away because of getting outhustled (loose balls, second chance points). Embarrassing.
Give the fat boy credit, he's destroying us inside.
I am getting flashbacks of 2008
Wow, no fouls???? If we lose this game, it's going to be hard for me to watch the NBA, this is fixed. This game, this sport is fixed.
Big Davis is foaming at the mouth. He is owning us. He's unstoppable.
Boston has 13 offensive rebounds, but by all means, let's leave Odom in there. Maybe Boston can set some kind of record for rebounding.
Gotta give it to Davis, he's the best big on the floor tonight. Gasol keeps getting blocked by rondo and Allen while Davis looks like shaq, gotta give credit where it's due. They guy is killing us
The Celtics are better with Davis out there instead of KG...amazing
No foul? Seriously after 4 games its been nothing but stern having his handprints and pulling the strings on every game. It's so obviously that the series was rigged from the start to go seven games or now at least 6. With the ratings that these finals have gotten it's not hard to see that stern wants as many Finals games as possible, and will resort to anything to achieve it.
Well it aint the refs this time.........if anything LA is throwin it........but its not the refs..not tonite
Celtics bench >>>>>>>Lakers bench
IF WE LOSE IT'S THE LAKERS FAULT
Their bench players are beating our starters badly
We all knew this would happen..refs would be in the Celtics pocket..why are you all acting so darn shocked
Finally a T on Sheed. He deserved like 3 already.
And of course Kobe misses the FT..
Kobe sucks
Seriously Phil should have gone to the bench. Our lack of depth is killing us right now, it's obvious that Boston's players have way fresher legs than we do.
Kobe getting every kind of call now....ridiculous how inconsistent the officiating is.
For you anti-ref-conspiracy guys - explain to me how the refs let everyone beat the crap out of each other in the third, then start calling touch falls in the 4th when it benefits the Celtics. Yeah, there's no manipulation at all.
Nate Robinson is the definition of Short Man's Syndrome
How did the Celtics get to the Finals with no control of their emotions? How did the Lakers get to the Finals with no emotions?
I'm sorry but this is on the refs as much as it is on the lakers' d. It's sickening.
If we lose this game, it is because of Fat baby Davis and Nate
The Celtics are too emotional, no way they win this series playing this way. No way
You let the Celtics score 32 in the 4th and you deserve to lose. Need to regroup and win game 5.
Kobe with another sub .500 shooting night with 7 turnovers.
Can't blame the refs for too many turnovers and offensive rebounds. The Lakers gave them this win.
Celtics did NOT win this game..the Lakers blew this game..they had this game won, they freakin had it!!
Wow, Davis is surprisingly articulate. I thought he would sound stupid.
Why we always gotta get embarrassed by someone's bench? WHY?!!!
These idiots never ever learn do they? Is it cockiness? Is it stupidity? It's defnitely stupidity, half the team are morons.
This team is so stoopid.
We lost this game because Odom plays defense like a 7 year old girl scout!
Guys on our bench should be embarrassed that Baby Fat and Nate got some podium run tonight. But I knew is was evident that their bench would out play ours at some point.
Effort, rebounding, execution on offense these 3 things killed us we can fix rebounding and exectuion but you can't teach heart
O.K. everybody who figured the dynamic duo of KryptoNate and the Pugilistic Papoose would ride in to save the Boston Celtics’ 2010 title hopes for the Fantastic Four, raise your hand now. Thought so. In a rollercoaster season full of violent twists, huge and sudden ups and downs, stomach-rending lurches, and wild careening that threatened to derail at any moment, it just keeps getting crazier. Last night, in a game that probably qualifies as must-win since no team has ever come back from a 3-1 deficit in the finals, the Green brought winning ugly to a new peak.
The Fantastic Four turned in a 41% shooting night and that was buoyed by a 3 for 5 in the last three minutes to close out the game. As a whole the team shot 41% the first half and came out in the third quarter to lay an egg shooting 35% for the frame. That left them down two entering the 4th . Enter the bench with Tony, Nate, Big Baby, and Sheed being chaperoned by Ray Allen—an interesting choice since only Paul Pierce was having an effective scoring night. Bodies flew around the floor, onto the floor, and into the stands, and the ball found its way into Celtics’ hands, and into the basket. In their nine minute stint to start the final quarter, the super-scrubs rang up 21 points (exceeding the 20 pt/qtr average of the team through three), seemingly pulled in every available rebound and loose ball, and held Kobe Bryant (who had been tossing in jumpers, mostly long-range, in clusters) without a basket—and all this against mostly the Lakers’ starters who seemed fatigued and a bit dazed by the onslaught.
As the quarter wore on Doc began sending his starters to the scorer’s table to check into the game; and then calling them back as the lack of a clock stoppage and the sub’s productivity obviated the need. Never was the lack of “I” in TEAM more evident than in this group of All-Stars repeatedly returning to the bench area where they picked up their pom-pom’s and resumed vociferously urging on their less-renowned teammates. If that didn’t warm the cockles of your green-tinted heart, nothing will.
That thrilling stint was not without flaws, and cause for concern, as well as pleasant surprises. Nate found himself compelled to get in the face of Odem and bark his way into a technical after bouncing up from Lamar de-treading him as he “showed” on a pick. Close score in the fourth quarter of an absolutely critical game—one would hope Nate would find shooting free throws to extend the lead an adequate compensation without counterproductive crowing. Then there was the prolonged primal scream of Big Baby which lasted so long you feared he would collapse from oxygen deprivation, especially since Nate was draped around his neck, hanging on his back and further restricting his air flow. Rasheed Wallace took a hard fall on his hip which had to aggravate his already sore back, although it did contradict the suspicion that Sheed never gets off the ground. Even Tony, whose adventurous offensive encounters with the ball throughout the night reminded one of why coaches make some players wide receivers and others defensive backs, was able to find the handle long enough to coax the ball into the basket.
Yes, life is good. The series is tied up. Momentum has swung back the Celtics’ way. While we still hope the Fantastic Four will get their game in sync, Doc has found a secret weapon—and you have to be amused at Phil’s response to a question on a plan to defend Nate and Big Baby, “I don’t want to address that question.” Now if the Green can prevail Sunday, I like their chances of keeping L.A. from running off two victories at home. It’s June, the Celtics and Lakers are locked in another titanic struggle and one could ask for no more (well except for a favorable outcome.) [Discuss on CG Forums!]
at Los Angeles Lakers (2-1, 14-5) at Boston Celtics (1-2, 13-7)
Postseason Game #21 – Home Game #11
Thursday, June 10
9:00 PM ET
TV: ABC
TD Garden
Referees: Scott Foster, Eddie F Rush, Greg Willard The Celtics come into game 4 looking to once again pull even in the series. They have been here before. In the Conference finals, the Celtics took game 2 in Cleveland, only to be blown out in game 3 on their home court. Many were quick to write their obituary after that loss, but they came back to win the next 3 and close out the series.
The Celtics are capable of beating the Lakers 3 in a row also. But, they must play Celtics defense and they need both Pierce and Ray Allen to pick up their games. The Celtics can't win with just one of the 3 having a good game. Rondo must also go into hyperdrive to lead the team.
As in game 3 of the Cavs series, game 3 in this series was very poorly officiated. Games 4, 5 and 6 in the Cavs' series were called evenly but given the officiating so far in the Finals, I'm not so sure we can expect the same in this series. The Celtics will need to fight through bad calls and not allow the refs to take them out of their game.
The Celtics have played well in must win games and their backs are to the wall once again as if they go down 1-3, their chances of winning the series go way down. They must win game 4 and when they have faced must win games before they have come through with a win. Let's hope that trend continues.
Point Guard: Rajon Rondo
Shooting Guard: Ray Allen
Small Forward - Paul Pierce
Power Forward - Kevin Garnett
Center - Kendrick Perkins
Point Guard - Derek Fisher
Shooting Guard - Kobe Bryant
Small Forward - Ron Artest
Power Forward - Pau Gasol
Center- Andrew Bynum
Key Matchups vs
Rajon Rondo vs Derek Fisher
As Rondo goes, so go the Celtics. Rondo must be aggressive on both ends of the court. He must keep the offense moving along with being aggressive in going to the basket. He must also keep Derek Fisher from going off again in this game.
vs
Kevin Garnett vs Pau Gasol
KG finally got his game going in game 3 and he was able to keep Gasol contained as well. The Celtics will need the aggressive KG going to the basket and leading the defense once again.
vs
Paul Pierce vs Ron Artest
Paul Pierce has been a non factor in the last two games. The Celtics need the Captain to take control and go to the basket early and often and get to the line. Pierce needs to up his game if the Celtics are going to win this series.
Keys to the Game
Rebounding - In game 1, the Celtics were out rebounded 42-31. In game 2, the Celtics won the battle of the boards 44-39. In game 3, the Lakers once again out rebounded the Celtics 43-35. It is no coincidence that the team that won the rebounding battle also won the game. The Celtics must battle for every rebound to limit the Lakers 2nd chance points. The fact that Rondo, the smallest guy on the court (other than Nate Robinson) pulled down 12 rebounds in game 2 shows that most of rebounding is effort and desire and the Celtics must show both effort and desire and they must out work the Lakers on the boards if they want to win this game.
Defense - The Celtics played good defense for most of game 3 but had a few lapses that led to the Lakers victory. The Celtics must play their lock down team defense for all 48 minutes. They can't have any lapses because the Lakers will take advantage of them.
Play Team Ball - The Celtics must play as a team. They have to run the offense and move the ball to find the open man. They can't lapse into hero ball. They have to play team defense also and each player has to fill his role.
Play Smart - The Celtics have to take care of the ball and avoid turnovers as the Lakers will capitalize on them. They have to try to avoid silly fouls and as the same time, attack the basket to try to draw fouls on the Lakers. They also must play as a team and keep their focus.
Bench Play - The Bench must continue to give the team a boost when they come in. Sheed is very important and hopefully he will be able to play effectively with his bad back. Big Baby has to continue to bring energy and effort. Tony hopefully will be over his kick to the neck from Kobe and the stitches in his lip and he must continue to bring the tough defense that he has been playing.
Hit their shots - The Celtics must hit their shots when they get open. Shots that they normally make were rimming out in game 3. Ray and Paul must get their offense on track especially.
X-Factors Officiating and Fatigue
The Celtics are once again playing on just one day's rest. They are battling a few injuries which won't have a lot of time to rest and heal. Hopefully they can regroup and come out strong regardless of the short turnaround between games.
The refs been the story in the first 3 games of this series. The officiating has been terrible so far. The refs have been inconsistent, calling ticky tack fouls on one end while letting them play on the other end. In every game several players have gotten into early foul trouble and the games have been very choppy with foul after foul after foul. We have to hope that they let them play and call the game fairly. If not, the Celtics must just play their game like they did in game 2 and not let the bad calls and no calls and foul trouble get into their heads.
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![[image]](http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/01/playboy.jpg)
![[image]](http://msn.foxsports.com/fe/images/NBA/Headshots/140x170/4149.jpg)
vs![[image]](http://msn.foxsports.com/fe/images/NBA/Headshots/140x170/3125.jpg)
![[image]](http://msn.foxsports.com/fe/images/NBA/Headshots/140x170/3007.jpg)
vs ![[image]](http://msn.foxsports.com/fe/images/NBA/Headshots/140x170/3513.jpg)
![[image]](http://msn.foxsports.com/fe/images/NBA/Headshots/140x170/3253.jpg)
vs ![[image]](http://msn.foxsports.com/fe/images/NBA/Headshots/140x170/3339.jpg)
