Celtics (3-3) at Lakers (3-3) Game 7 6/17

[FanInTheSouth]

Positive: Defense
Negative: Rondo

I actually think Rondo is playing well... as long as he is aggressive we will be in this.  It doesn't matter if he is making shots or assists or what not.

[ejk3489]

A lead going into the half...I will glady take that.

That defense from Scal was sensational. 

Ray needs to make some shots soon...and 3 turnovers isn't like him.

[CelticSooner]

The game might as well be tied up.

[jdpapa3]

Lakers shot 29% and we're up just six. Here's hoping Ray opens up the third with back to back threes! 

No kiddin, huh. Feels like we're always up 6 at halftime.

[ChainSmokingLikeDino]

Positive: Defense
Negative: Rondo

I really don't think Rondo earned that negative. He has pushed it when he could. Has he played his best ball of all time? No. But shooting 3-6, 4 boards, 4 assists, good D. You can't blame the lack of offense all on him. He has set up guys, umm, Ray, for shots that didn't go in. He can take it to the paint harder but I don't think it goes "negative: Rondo" it goes negative: rebounding.

[celticsclay]

Hey lets give it credit where its due. I was laughing about the celtics putting scals in, but he played a lot better defense then I thought he would against Odom.

[Drucci]

Up 6 at halftime of game 7, on the road... of course I will take it.

With that said the Lakers are shooting 26% and we're only up 6 because of lack of rebounding, missed open shots, and terrible offensive production (or lack thereof) from Ray and Rondo. Ray is doing a great job defensively but he has to make his wide open 3's. Rondo has to attack more and be more active off the ball.

Sheed has been huge in this half. Didn't rebound well but he didn't for his whole career, didn't expect him to start now ; however he is getting on the block with success and playing tremendous D. Hope he has enough left in the tank for the 2nd half. Pierce has carried up offensively too.

I'm worried about Gasol going off in the 2nd half but Kobe will stay in ballhog mode, which is a really good sign for us. Keep shooting that ball Kobe!

PS : as crazy as it sounds, Ron Artest's offensive production has kept L.A in this game.

[celtsfan907]

Positive: Defense
Negative: Rondo

what are you talking about?  i think rondo is playing a pretty good game.  he can't force a fast break every time and i think the times when we had numbers, he made good decisions.  i think fisher has 3 points on him?  how is he a negative???  he would have 10 assists if ray made some shots.

but as far as rey, i'll take his cold shooting if he makes kobe shoot 3-13 in the second half!!!!

[Thruthelookingglass]

Positive: Defense
Negative: Rondo

Scal gave us a good defensive possession on Odom, full court no less.  I suspect that may have ruined Odom's confidence for the foreseeable future.

Kidding aside, both teams are 24 minutes away.  Ray gotta find his shot, we gotta find a way to keep them off the boards, and we gotta continue to play this defense.  This is do-able.  Does our team want it more?  I say YEAH!

[FanInTheSouth]

Lakers shot 29% and we're up just six. Here's hoping Ray opens up the third with back to back threes! 

No kiddin, huh. Feels like we're always up 6 at halftime.

All I have to say is that I'm praying for the C's to be leading by 30 at the end of the 3rd.  I've got to be at work at 4 and it will help me get to sleep earlier if I can start winding down in the 4th.

[CelticSooner]

Positive: Defense
Negative: Rondo

I actually think Rondo is playing well... as long as he is aggressive we will be in this.  It doesn't matter if he is making shots or assists or what not.

The problem is he isn't being aggressive enough. He continues to walk the ball up the court. He doesn't bring much to the C's on offense in the half court.

[guava_wrench]

Bynum should have declining effectiveness later in the game.

It seems to me we are sacrificing boxing out in order to challenge shots, and it is working for the most part. With the wear and tear on Bynum, I feel good with that continuing approach. If you have two guys forcing Kobe into a bad shot, it is unlikely that all other Lakers are accounted for on the rebound or that the bigs have been kept out of the lane.

[Jaycelt]

Lakers shot 29% and we're up just six. Here's hoping Ray opens up the third with back to back threes! 

In the glass half full department KG has been in foul trouble, Rondo is playing halfcourt ball, Ray hasn't been able to hit the ocean from a boat, and we are up by six at the half.  

[celticsclay]

Positive: Defense
Negative: Rondo

I really don't think Rondo earned that negative. He has pushed it when he could. Has he played his best ball of all time? No. But shooting 3-6, 4 boards, 4 assists, good D. You can't blame the lack of offense all on him. He has set up guys, umm, Ray, for shots that didn't go in. He can take it to the paint harder but I don't think it goes "negative: Rondo" it goes negative: rebounding.

Rondo is on his way to a triple double, playing good defense, not taking bad shots, why a negative?

[FallGuy]

Positive: Defense
Negative: Rondo

I really don't think Rondo earned that negative. He has pushed it when he could. Has he played his best ball of all time? No. But shooting 3-6, 4 boards, 4 assists, good D. You can't blame the lack of offense all on him. He has set up guys, umm, Ray, for shots that didn't go in. He can take it to the paint harder but I don't think it goes "negative: Rondo" it goes negative: rebounding.

Totally agree. Rondo's been very good given we can't grab a rebound.

Ray is the guy who looks overmatched by the moment out there.