Celtics Beat Lakers - Series 1-0

Paul Pierce and the Celtics got the job done in Game 1 of the NBA Finals 2008 by beating the LA Lakers 98-88. While the game was all about Kobe Bryant missing shots he would make in his sleep and ending with 17 of 26 from the field, I think it was a little extra effort from Boston's defense that didn't let him drive the lane off the dribble. Kobe had to settle for jumpers most of the time or
wait for getting the ball to catch-and-shoot. That made it difficult for him and the Lakers in the 4th quarter where he has been dominant all season.

It's back to the drawing board for the LA team who stopped moving the ball in the last quarter. The good numbers of Fisher, 15 points, 6 assists and 3 steals and Lamar Odom 14 points, 6 of 11 and 6 rebounds don't exactly show how bad of a basketball game it was for them from the Coach's book. It wasn't really a team playing in the 4th quarter hence there was no execution. That is not how Playoff games and certainly not Finals games are played.

There was a medium scare when Paul Pierce had to be carried off in the 3rd quarter but it almost seemed like a gimmick when he came back in just over a minute and just put down 15 points in the 3rd quarter itself. It was almost movie like.

That was pretty much the game-changing moment and even though Lakers showed some life in the 4th Quarter, it wasn't enough to get it done.

It is a wake-up call for the Lakers who would prefer to take the Home Court Advantage when they go back home by leveling the series here next game. Boston have to be relentless and keep the focus to take control of the next game and the series.