Top 5 Reasons the Celtics Will Beat The Lakers

[nickagneta]

As anyone who has read my arguments for why teams win championship can attest there are really only two reasons why the Celtics will win the title over the Lakers.

1.) Defense - Boston's post season defensive efficiency 98.3, the second best post season efficiency of any team, slightly worse than Orlando's. But then again Orlando got to play Charlotte and Atlanta and not Miami and Cleveland in the first two rounds. LA's defensive efficiency in the playoffs, just 10 points higher than the Celtics at 108.2.

2.) Rebounding - given that the Celtics as a philosophy do not crash the offensive boards on outside shots, their rebounding numbers are remarkable. They were second in post season teams in defensive rebounding percentage with a percentage that is much higher than LA's though that is offset by LA's much better offensive rebounding percentage. LA has a slightly higher overall rebounding percentage and better rebound differential but they have also played against three of the weakest defensive rebounding teams in the post season while Boston has played against three of the best. The numbers are close but LA hasn't had to face a team that matches their size yet and I think Boston wins this because they simply have been more ferocious about rebounding in the playoffs.

[Spilling Green Dye]

A Laker Fan's Top 5 (Assuming that the Celtics will beat the Lakers)

1)  Pau Gasol resigns from the Lakers to be the national spokesman for a pillow company, making the most use of his Eurosoft reputation. 

2)  Kobe Bryant decides it would be awesome to break Wilt's 100 point game record against the Celtics in the Finals and torches the Allens for 101 points.  Unfortunately, the Celtics score 102. 

3)  Derek Fisher realizes that he's Derek Fisher and goes back to shooting in the low 30's. 

4)  Artest receives a tweet from @TheRealPhilJackson complimenting him on his 3 point shooting.  He then proceeds to set a new record for playing an entire game not stepping past the 3 pt line on offense.

5)  Odom finally realizes all the potential, physical gifts, and talent he has.  And trades it for a Snickers bar. 

TP for making me laugh.  Great post lol.

[Spilling Green Dye]

2.) Rebounding - given that the Celtics as a philosophy do not crash the offensive boards on outside shots, their rebounding numbers are remarkable. They were second in post season teams in defensive rebounding percentage with a percentage that is much higher than LA's though that is offset by LA's much better offensive rebounding percentage. LA has a slightly higher overall rebounding percentage and better rebound differential but they have also played against three of the weakest defensive rebounding teams in the post season while Boston has played against three of the best. The numbers are close but LA hasn't had to face a team that matches their size yet and I think Boston wins this because they simply have been more ferocious about rebounding in the playoffs.

Another thing I like about that is if LA is crashing the offensive boards, it leaves them very exposed to Rondo pushing the offense and getting down court before their D can setup at all!

[LB3533]

2.) Rebounding - given that the Celtics as a philosophy do not crash the offensive boards on outside shots, their rebounding numbers are remarkable. They were second in post season teams in defensive rebounding percentage with a percentage that is much higher than LA's though that is offset by LA's much better offensive rebounding percentage. LA has a slightly higher overall rebounding percentage and better rebound differential but they have also played against three of the weakest defensive rebounding teams in the post season while Boston has played against three of the best. The numbers are close but LA hasn't had to face a team that matches their size yet and I think Boston wins this because they simply have been more ferocious about rebounding in the playoffs.

Another thing I like about that is if LA is crashing the offensive boards, it leaves them very exposed to Rondo pushing the offense and getting down court before their D can setup at all!

I want to point out that the Laker's playoff competition were not exactly world beaters in the rebounding department.

I mean if OKC needed Durant to grab nearly 20 rebounds in one game, what does that say about their front line? (Not that big or long).

The Jazz's front line were injured, no Okur and barely had a healthy AK47. Lakers had the heavy advantage in rebounding.

Now for the Suns, you'd think Amare would have been one of the better rebounders in the series, yet he only averaged 6 per game (6.6 in entire 2010 playoffs) in the WCF. That's not great at all.

I just think LA got lucky facing weak or injured rebounding teams.

[kfdodgerfan]

Also, unlike last year, the Lakers don't play defense.

Ummm if you check the stats, the Lakers had the best defense of the entire league going into the WCF. The stats were wrecked though when they played the run and gun Suns.

[ejk3489]

Also, unlike last year, the Lakers don't play defense.

Ummm if you check the stats, the Lakers had the best defense of the entire league going into the WCF. The stats were wrecked though when they played the run and gun Suns.

Oklahoma City
PPG:  93.8
FG%:  .391
3PT%:  .291
Turnovers:  12.5

Utah
PPG:  102
FG%:  .442
3PT%:  .360
Turnovers:  11.3

Phoenix
PPG:  109.2
FG%:  .479
3PT%:  .329
Turnovers:  11.8

They were great against the Thunder, but aside from that they haven't played stellar defense. There is no way they've been better then the Celtics defensively throughout these playoffs.

[celtics2]

Rondo and Perkins. Especially Rondo has advanced beyond belief leading the team. Perk is just a manhandler inside.

The Big 3. Either can carry the team on a given day.

Celts in general have too much fire power.

Celts defense. No team is better at it.

Bench must not lose ground when on the floor.

[BballTim]

Also, unlike last year, the Lakers don't play defense.

Ummm if you check the stats, the Lakers had the best defense of the entire league going into the WCF. The stats were wrecked though when they played the run and gun Suns.

  Pretty sure the Magic did, followed (probably) by the Celts.

[BballTim]

Also, unlike last year, the Lakers don't play defense.

Ummm if you check the stats, the Lakers had the best defense of the entire league going into the WCF. The stats were wrecked though when they played the run and gun Suns.

Oklahoma City
PPG:  93.8
FG%:  .391
3PT%:  .291
Turnovers:  12.5

Utah
PPG:  102
FG%:  .442
3PT%:  .360
Turnovers:  11.3

Phoenix
PPG:  109.2
FG%:  .479
3PT%:  .329
Turnovers:  11.8

  Compare that to the Celts:

Miami
PPG:  87.6
FG%:  .435
3PT%:  .374
Turnovers:  17.8

Cleveland
PPG:  95.2
FG%:  .449
3PT%:  .276
Turnovers:  16.0

Orlando
PPG:  90.7
FG%:  .430
3PT%:  .338
Turnovers:  15.7

  Significantly better than the Lakers in every round.

[makaveli]

If we rebound the ball like we were previous 3 rounds, we will win in 5-6 games

[kfdodgerfan]

Top 5 reasons Lakers will win.

1. They won game one. In a nice, almost dominant fashion.
2. Size. Size. Size.
3. Kobe Bean Bryant.
4. Soft was left back in 2008.
5. God loves the Lakers.

[GreenFaith1819]

Top 5 reasons Lakers will win.

1. They won game one. In a nice, almost dominant fashion.
2. Size. Size. Size.
3. Kobe Bean Bryant.
4. Soft was left back in 2008.
5. God loves the Lakers.

Kf - you tell yourself that about a thousand times, and eventually you'll believe it.

You have 999 more times to repeat those 5 reasons...

[nickagneta]

I've been saying it on this blog for years. Rebounding and defense wins championships.

The team that rebounded the best and played the best defense won tonight. I think the Celtics are a much, much better rebounding and defensive team than they showed but KG needs to become the KG of the the first 30 games of the regular season not the KG of the last 30 games of the regular season.

He is the key and Rondo the catalyst in both departments. Tonight they look slowed by injury and it effected their defense and rebounding. In the playoffs KG HAS to give this team 10 rebounds and Rondo 6-7 for them to win and both have to take their men out of their rhythm. It didn't happen tonight and because of it the C's overall defense and rebounding suffered.

Have to get better because all the other reasons mean squat if the key and the catalyst to the team's defense and rebounding aren't doing what they need to to make the Celtics the best rebounding and defensive team they can be.

[aporel#18]

Top 5 reasons Lakers will win.

1. They won game one. In a nice, almost dominant fashion.
2. Size. Size. Size.
3. Kobe Bean Bryant.
4. Soft was left back in 2008.
5. God loves the Lakers.

TP for bringing a smile in this sad night, you really are a celtic under all those laker acting, speak the truth 

Yes, God (Stern) loves the Lakers, but it has a lot more to do with how the game is played. Tonight the Lakers played better, and the Celtics were the lackers. If both teams play at their best, I believe in Celtics chances.

Enjoy the win, it's a long series, minimum 6 games