On Tuesday night, the LA Lakers hosts the Boston Celtics in Game 6 of the 2010 NBA Finals at Staples Center. The Lakers are in a 3-2 hole after a heartbreaking loss in Game 5 against the Celtics on the road.
This is the first time in the playoffs wherein the Lakers are down a game in a series and on a brink of losing the championship. They need to win Game 6 in order to extend the series to a winner take all match. In Game 5, Kobe was a one man scoring machine but they were still defeated by the Celtics.
Kobe couldn't do it alone; he needs every Laker on the line up to help him. While he was on a scoring tear, teammates Pau Gasol, Ron Artest, Derek Fisher and Lamar Odom are also caught flat footed whenever they need a defensive stop. The Celtics were able to match Kobe's heroics by spreading their offense on their 5 players. To win Game 6, the Lakers must not rely solely on Kobe's offensive outburst; every player must contribute for 48 minutes. A good ball movement is needed to baffle the Celtics' vaunted defense.
The Celtics are on a brink on winning their 18th NBA title. The Big 4 of Pierce, Allen, Garnett and Rondo have responded very well after a major letdown in Game 3. The reserves led by Nate Robinson, Glen Davis, veteran Rasheed Wallace and Tony Allen have contributed also as the Celtics finished their homestand with a 3-2 series lead.
The Celtics could expect a lot of resistance against the Lakers in Game 6. Kobe and his gang will do anything just to avert a Celtics win in Staples center. For the Celtics to win, continue their effective defensive scheme against the Lakers, score in transition and limit their turnovers.
The sportsbook handicappers have installed the Lakers as the favorite to beat the Celtics in Game 6 and essentially force a rubber match for the Larry O'Brien trophy this season.
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