Celtics (27-2) at Lakers (23-5) 12/25

[LarBrd33]

The Laker defense is legit this year.  We need to get a lot better if we hope to repeat.

The Celtics need the motivation, anyways.  Getting embarrassed on Christmas will keep them from getting soft.

[CoachBo]

The officiating was bad, but the game raises an interesting question. Looked to me today like LA is better 1-10 than we are. They're not 1-5, but they certainly looked better 1-10. Deeper.

[Casperian]

At the beginning of the season, I said to myself that I won´t complain about the refs. I think it´s a cheap excuse, most of the times...but dang, I´m certain they had money on this game. how many times could a decision have gone either way, but went against us? Unbelievable...

That said, the C´s can´t win every game. We knewe they would unexpectedly lose some games against inferior teams someday...

[screwedupmaniac]

this is a beautiful thing; we played terrible, the lakers played about as good as they're gonna play, the game was in LA, the referees were autrociously for the Flakers tonight, and we STILL kept it close, and we STILL almost won.

see you bunch of soft turds in February and June, we'll show you where it's at.

oh, and how disgusting was it to give the Zen Master his 1,000th win? yuk.

[LB3533]

I was impressed by a few of the  Lakers players.

Walton: Was this his first start of the season? He played like he was the starter all year. He was very effective out there.

Ariza: I was impressed with his hustle and energy. He made things happen and didn't hurt his team with dumb turnovers.

Odom: Lamar really is a starter in this league, but since he is a bench player now he gets to face the 2nd/3rd units and he was pretty effective today against our 2nd unit. He made a couple big 3 pointers and a nice drive to the hoop.

Gasol: Way to finish the game off.

[NoraG1]

The Laker defense is legit this year.  We need to get a lot better if we hope to repeat.

The Celtics need the motivation, anyways.  Getting embarrassed on Christmas will keep them from getting soft.

Um, Lakers defense is not legit because they are not very consistent. Celtics were in this game for most of it (even though they did not play that great) and the refs did not exactly help.

[CelticHooligan3]

I guess the only good thing about tonite is the fact that i think the Fakers played there very best. That was pretty much a sub par performance by our C's helped by some HORRENDOUS officials. So our future is still very bright guys. Lets all pull through this horrible Christmas Day hangover.

[cornbreadsmart]

there is some good to see in this. THIS is the tony allen we will see vs a team like the lakers or cleveland. he can be completely ignored outside. it's GOOD that we have seen this. i like tony but he's just gonna make bad plays at the worst time sometimes. however bad the refs were(i've seen a lot worse)the lakers team is waaaay beter than last year. their defense is very good when they are committed like today.i guess that's not so good. they definitely have gained confidence from this. however, (just my opinion) i still think the lakers are out of their minds not to trade lamar odom. he is a CHUMP.  he will cave when they need him most. oh one more thing.. i frickin HATE luke walton. maybe they're stupid enough to think they're all set with him starting at the 3.

[Tenacious D]

"Looked to me today like LA is better 1-10 than we are."

Maybe. Part of it comes down to player combos, and the unit with PP, Ta, and EH left the Cs no floor general. That's when they got behind.

[Thruthelookingglass]

The Celts were flat today.  And regardless of whether the refs sucked or not, the team definitely felt the refs were calling against them, which usually will sap a team's competitive spirit.

As frustrating as it was to watch the disparity in the calls, it was more frustrating to watch the turnovers.  Celts were a step slow to passes, to position and to loose balls.  I was shocked at how our reserves fell apart today--and showed little enthusiasm to boot.

The Lakers wanted it more and it showed.

[Fafnir]

This game reminds me of the Denver game. We played poorly, too many turn overs, and kept clawing back into even the score then we can't execute in the last 3 minutes.

Hard game, but these sort happen. I just hope we don't come out flat against the Warriors.

[drunk_guy_at_an_80s_party]

Talking 'about "facing adversity"... Well, not the worst thing that could have happened, this loss. Cdertainly not a good thing either, especially on christmas.

[mahonedog88]

The refs weren't very good, agreed.

But there were other factors including the biggest thing I think was turnovers.  These were bad turnovers, stupid turnovers.

The bench was terrible in the first half, better (not great) in the second half, but terrible in the first.

Also, I love the luck of our team that both Luke Walton and Lamar Odom are terrible 3 point shooters and they each make 2 threes tonight.

And I still wanna punch Sasha Vujacic in the face with a burning passion

[NoraG1]

This game reminds me of the Denver game. We played poorly, too many turn overs, and kept clawing back into even the score then we can't execute in the last 3 minutes.

Hard game, but these sort happen. I just hope we don't come out flat against the Warriors.

The schedule makers are so kind play on the road on Chistmas and play the next day. Merry Christmas Celtics! Stern is Scrooge. LOL

[cordobes]

No biggie. Puts to an end the misconception that we don't need to tweak this bench to win another title.

One can only hope...