What could be labeled the biggest choke job in a game, turned into the greatest comeback in NBA Finals’ history during the shot clock era.  The Boston Celtics were down by 18 points at the half, which was a history making deficit that later opened up to 24 in the third quarter.

              
   The Los Angeles Lakers are the best offensive team this season and in game 4 of the NBA Finals, they showed it why with great ball movement, patience and good shot selection.

           
       The Celtics demonstrated why they are the best defensive team in the NBA with patience, cutting off passing lanes, good defensive rotation, and pressure and gave the Lakers their first post-season lost this season at home winning 97-91, taking a commanding 3-1 series lead.

          
        The 3^rd quarter was the story and in all the Celtics’ wins, they answered the bell all post-season long.  Lakers coach Phil Jackson’s message to the team at the half was to win the 3^rd quarter.  For the Celtics, coach Doc Rivers said, “ You must make plays”.  The Celtics out scored the Lakers 57-33 in the 2^nd half, but finished the 3^rd quarter on a 21-3 run.  The Celtics answered the message.

        
         Celtics g Rajon Rondo was limited because of his ankle injury he suffered in game 3 and c Kendrick Perkins left the game due to a sprained left shoulder early in the 3^rd quarter.  The Celtics bench stepped up and contributed 35 points – largely due to g Eddie House and f James Posey combining for 28 points.  With 4:07 left in the game, House (who finished with 11 points) hit a jumper giving the Celtics the their first lead of the night and never looked back.  The dagger came from Posey hitting a three-pointer from the corner with 1:13 left giving the Celtics a five-point lead.  But one of the leaders of the new school Celtics, g Ray Allen used and abused Lakers’ g Sasha Vujacic by blowing by him for a lay-up with 16.4 seconds left to secure the win.

         
         Lakers g Kobe Bryant would not let the Lakers go down without a fight as he attacked the basket finishing with 17 points.  Bryant had 7 points in the 1^st half because he got the team involved early.  F Lamar Odom was the star of the first half as he slashed and dished in the 1^st half with 15 points and 4 assists, but disappeared in the 2^nd and finished with 19 points.  Bryant scored only 10 points in the 2^nd half largely to the defense of F Paul Pierce.  Pierce hurt his ankle late in the game, not seriously, but finished with 20 points.

              
    In response to the comeback, Pierce said,” We sucked it up… came wit it”.  As for the Lakers disappointing lose, Bryant said,” Wine about it tonight, have a lot of wine, a lot of beers, some shots, about 20 of them and right back to work tomorrow”. 

           
       Can this young Lakers team get over this lost, mentally?  If the Lakers have a lead, will they think about blowing it, again and if they are down, will they believe they can come back?  Hopefully, after Bryant’s advice, the Lakers will be over their hang over.

Written By Barry Barnes