Was anyone sweating the Lakers run at the end?

[Discoflux]

When you're up 24 points mid-3rd quarter you probably thought about turning off the TV right there.

Anyone have any thoughts on the game getting down to 4 pts in the late 4th?

[Bahku]

Everyone who's a celtic fan was "sweating it" ... we had completely lost the momentum, and Kobe lives for this stuff. He's already had two huge late-game comebacks in the Spurs series alone, and it was a close-call last night ... much closer than it should have been.

[Chris]

Depends what you mean by "sweating it".

Was I surprised?  No, because that is what the Lakers do.  They are dangerous shooters, and they know how to take advantage of a team that has lost focus.

Was I worried that they would lose the game?  No, because I knew they could turn the defense back on when it hit them that they had a game.

Am I worried for the rest of the series?  Kind of, but no more than I was when the C's were up 24.  The thing that scares me about this Lakers team is that they can score a ton of points in a hurry, even against good defense (although it is less likely against good defense), and I didn't need that run to tell me that.  So if the C's offense goes cold, then they could be in trouble against the Lakers...but I already knew that.

[CelticsPrideKG]

I know I was.  I thought I flew up to Boston and paid a good amount of money to see a historic game . . . for the other team.  I wasn't REALLY sweating until the lead was down to 2 points with enough time for the Lakers to play defense and not have to foul.  Luckily the C's were smart and got the ball to Pierce inside and he was able to make an aggressive move.  However, I was expecting a missed free throw and Kobe hitting a 3 to send the game to OT.


I really thought there was a chance that the series was going to go from a certain 2-0 series lead to a certain 4-1 series win for the Lakers if they had been able to pull that off.  Those are the kinds of comebacks that demoralize a team.

[Roy Hobbs]

Chris has much more confidence than me.

When they cut it to 16, I thought "no sweat".  When they cut it to single digits, I thought "there's too much time".  When they cut it to six, I figured "we'll hold them off".

But when they cut it to four, I was worried.  And when they cut it to two after Kobe's free throws, I lost confidence, and thought for sure the game was going into OT.  Luckily, the captain came through.

[Cman]

Depends what you mean by "sweating it".

Was I surprised?  No, because that is what the Lakers do.  They are dangerous shooters, and they know how to take advantage of a team that has lost focus.

Was I worried that they would lose the game?  No, because I knew they could turn the defense back on when it hit them that they had a game.

Am I worried for the rest of the series?  Kind of, but no more than I was when the C's were up 24.  The thing that scares me about this Lakers team is that they can score a ton of points in a hurry, even against good defense (although it is less likely against good defense), and I didn't need that run to tell me that.  So if the C's offense goes cold, then they could be in trouble against the Lakers...but I already knew that.

I was a little worried about it once it got below a 10 point difference, and I felt Doc could have used a timeout earlier to help change the momentum, but the Cs got the game back in control in the last minute -- I was pretty confident that PP would hit the necessary free throws and that the Cs would come up with a few key defensive stops.  I really hope it serves as a wake up call to the Cs.  

Two additional random thoughts:  (1) if Cassell is hurt, it means we will see more of House, which I am happy about and (2) if Kendrick Perkins ever pulls it together the Lakers will be hurting.  As well as the Cs have been playing in *some* of the last eight quarters, it still isn't as well as they could play.  I am hoping game 3 we see a big game from Kendrick Perkins.

[Redz]

When it got to 2, you had to be sweating a little bit, but I still felt like it would work out.  As many of late game collapses as we've seen, they've managed to pull them out at home when push came to shove.  This one was a whole different variety though.   

[CelticsWhat35]

I sweat every game.  It's the playoffs.  But if the Celts had lost last night, it would've hurt on two levels.  For one, they would've blown a golden opportunity to go up 2-0 in the Finals, and if they ended up losing the series in 6 or 7 games, it would've made for an even tougher summer.  But also, the 2002 Celtics currently hold the record for the greatest comeback in playoff history.  And given the fact that the Celtics haven't won it all in 21 years, that's the greatest achievement the Celtics have had in some time, and something I'm sure the fans and players take pride in.  For them to lose that record, and for it to be done AGAINST the Celtics, and by the LAKERS?!?!  That would be too much to handle.

[Bahku]

I still think this is done in four ... five at the max.

[jay_jay54]

Chris has much more confidence than me.

When they cut it to 16, I thought "no sweat".  When they cut it to single digits, I thought "there's too much time".  When they cut it to six, I figured "we'll hold them off".

But when they cut it to four, I was worried.  And when they cut it to two after Kobe's free throws, I lost confidence, and thought for sure the game was going into OT.  Luckily, the captain came through.

RH,i watched the last quarter,which was viewing on NBA.TV about an hour ago, the pain is less,probably because i knew the outcome.But after seeing it again,i could see some things i didn't notice last night,which might help ease the pain once you see the game tonight again.To me it just doesn't look as bad,the second time around.

[Ersatz]

Maybe this team has worn me down, because I think I'm immune to the danger they put themselves in. After the Hawks won game 4, I was sure the Cs were out of the playoffs. When the Cavs won game 4 and then game 6, I was sure we were done. When the Pistons won game 2, I knew the season was over. Every one of those were agonizing, throw-up-in-my-mouth moments. But something clicked in game 6 against the Pistons. When they were down 10 in the fourth, I knew they were going to come back. When Paul went down, I was scared, my stomach was in my throat. But I also KNEW he was coming back into the game. And last night, even when the lead was two, I knew we were going to win.... I think I've gained confidence in this team.

[Zarex]

After lead was cut to two I woke up my wife from a dead sleep to inform her that the lead had slipped away.  I  was terrified of hearing "So how much did the Celtics end up winning by?" the next morning and having to explain that they lost.

[connerhenry43]

for whatever reason, i was never nervous at the end of the pistons game 3 or 5, and i was never worried last night. i do not know why because usually, i am a nut, but i never thought the game was in real jeopardy. one day, the tendency to blow big leads will haunt us, but so far, it has not.

maybe it is because (and someone correct me if i am wrong) i do not think the lakers ever had the ball with a chance to tie or take the lead. kobe scares the hell out of me, but for some reason, i was not worried last night.

that being said, i wish the c's were better at closing games strongly, and wished they did not limp to the finish line.

[jay_jay54]

I still think this is done in four ... five at the max.

I agree,from watching them over again,and thinking back to game one,i feel if everyone is playing their A game in LA,we should take it in 4 or 5.

[Chris]

Chris has much more confidence than me.

When they cut it to 16, I thought "no sweat".  When they cut it to single digits, I thought "there's too much time".  When they cut it to six, I figured "we'll hold them off".

But when they cut it to four, I was worried.  And when they cut it to two after Kobe's free throws, I lost confidence, and thought for sure the game was going into OT.  Luckily, the captain came through.

OK, you called my bluff, I was a little worried when they cut it to 4 and then 2.  But my main point was that it was nothing I didn't expect.  This Lakers team is too good to be blown out like that.

And it has little to no bearing on the rest of the series.