There has only been one time in my life where I have wanted to be wrong more than I do right now, and that day I was right. That day was February 3rd, 2008, when my New England Patriots fell to the New York Giants in the Super Bowl, ending their perfect season and forever making them the biggest punch line in sports. I was terrified of the Giants and felt they would gave the Patriots trouble, I was right.
I find myself ironically reversed here, rooting against a Boston team that I am beginning to feel has the Lakers’ number. Before the series began I felt it would go seven games. After the first three games of the series I stated my belief that the team’s would trade wins until the Lakers ultimately took it in Game 7. Heading into Game 5 with the series tied 2-2 I also stated that I felt the winner of Game 5 would ultimately win the series and the championship. After Boston finished off a pathetic Lakers opposition 92-86, they were heading out west one win from their 18th title and adding another chapter in their storied dominance over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Next: Why the Lakers Have a Chance… This, is why I am begging the sports gods to prove me wrong once more. When you’re down 3-2 in a series the task is quite simple, win two before losing one. The problem is this, the Lakers haven’t won two straight yet this series. However, after a previously labeled “must-win” game is lost, positives must be found and new hope has to somehow be born. While watching the Lakers meltdown last night I felt strangely calm, almost accepting of the situation. Even after the game, when I for sure thought I would be distraught and on doomsday watch, I felt like there were some positives moving forward. This is the attitude all of Lakers Nation needs to take now, as pessimism and doubt isn’t going to get anybody anywhere.
So where do we go from here? Well, first of all back to Los Angeles. The Lakers have lost once, just once at home this post-season. The problem here, is that the only home loss was to this same Celtics team they need to defeat twice now. However, the Lakers will be able to enjoy the friendly confines of Staples Center for the rest of the series, either one or two more games.
More positives can be taken out of the Lakers current predicament. In reality, the Lakers did what they had to do in Boston, re-claim their previously lost home-court advantage. This is one of the reasons I despise the 2-3-2 format, but that’s a topic for another day. If the Lakers are able to maintain home-court advantage, which they have done all post-season thus far, they will win the title.
Next: Striving For Optimism…
In Game 5 the Lakers looked like they were fresh out of 2006. Bryant put up good offensive numbers, but still struggled in the first half. He had four turnovers and wasn’t playing team-oriented basketball. His third quarter explosion didn’t even dent the Celtics lead because of the lack of help he had offensively. That combined with atrocious defense gave Boston a comfortable lead until late in the game, and when the Lakers finally made a run the outcome was already decided.
Players generally thrive at home. Players almost always play better in front of their own crowd, especially bench players. The Lakers bench was a major liability during the past two games, and that is expected on the road. The Lakers bench should awaken from it’s slumber in time for Game 6, giving the Lakers a much needed boost on both ends of the floor. This can have a two-pronged effect as well if the Celtics bench also loses productivity as they play on the road.
Another thing to consider is this, in the last three years the Lakers have lost three games in a row only once. This would put their odds of winning Game 6 on Tuesday pretty high on the charts. If the Lakers do win Game 6 then all bets are off, as Game 7 is a complete crap-shoot. The Lakers can’t be caught looking ahead to Game 7, because if they do then they won’t get the chance to play a Game 7.
Tuesday night will be the key for the Lakers. A win on Tuesday and none of the series trends or stories will matter. If the Lakers can push this series to a Game 7, they will have the advantage purely because the game will be in Los Angeles. However, if they’re caught looking ahead prematurely we will all have the unfortunate pleasure of watching the Celtics become the first visiting team to celebrate an NBA Championship on the Staples Center floor.
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