matchups against the lakers

[jsingh1699]

so i noticed basically in the second half and all of the fourth quarter, the lakers had a 1,2,3 of fish, blake, and kobe, which meant kobe was matching up with pierce. why did they want to do that matchup? why didnt they sub artest back in so that they could have kobe guarding rondo? once they did that matchup, everything changed for us. rondo took over because now a pg was guarding him and pierce and bryant with point for point. i thought that made a huge difference for us. any thoughts as to why phil wanted to do that?

[hpantazo]

because Artest was injured. This did open up the game for Rondo big time, which worries me a little. It would be great if Rondo could play the way he did in the 2nd half when Kobe's on him.

[Fafnir]

Artest wasn't keeping up with Pierce at all on defense. Then on the offensive end he was 1-10 with only a few points. Artest's poor play on both ends is why Jackson went with Kobe at SF.

[Fafnir]

because Artest was injured. This did open up the game for Rondo big time, which worries me a little. It would be great if Rondo could play the way he did in the 2nd half when Kobe's on him.

Rondo did do a lot of his damage in the third quarter with Kobe on him.

But you're right, Rondo just looked a lot more comfortable with Blake on him.

[Bankshot]

My concern is IF we make it to the Finals (also assuming the Lakers make it there), who will defend Kobe?  It worked out last night, but Kobe got anything he wanted.  Marquis was pitiful trying to defend Kobe.  Who is going to come off the bench and make Kobe work?  I miss Tony Allen.

[wdleehi]

Barnes was out as well.  He would have taken some of those SF minutes.

[Who]

Barnes was out as well.  He would have taken some of those SF minutes.

Barnes isn't too much of a worry. He can't defend Pierce.

He'll give them some service in the second unit while Pierce is resting but no more.

He is a liability against Pierce.

[wdleehi]

Barnes was out as well.  He would have taken some of those SF minutes.

Barnes isn't too much of a worry. He can't defend Pierce.

He'll give them some service in the second unit while Pierce is resting but no more.

He is a liability against Pierce.

I agree that Barnes can not defend Pierce, but his being hurt is why the Lakers ran out that lineup.

[hpantazo]

My concern is IF we make it to the Finals (also assuming the Lakers make it there), who will defend Kobe?  It worked out last night, but Kobe got anything he wanted.  Marquis was pitiful trying to defend Kobe.  Who is going to come off the bench and make Kobe work?  I miss Tony Allen.

Pierce and Ray can both guard Kobe very well, especially Pierce, just watch the 2008 finals. The thing with someone like Tony Allen is that yes, he gives you good defense, but he takes away a lot from the offense when he's out there so it balances out. It's not like you are going to play him 30+ minutes against LA in the finals and expect to win.

[pearljammer10]

My concern is IF we make it to the Finals (also assuming the Lakers make it there), who will defend Kobe?  It worked out last night, but Kobe got anything he wanted.  Marquis was pitiful trying to defend Kobe.  Who is going to come off the bench and make Kobe work?  I miss Tony Allen.

Kobe got anything he wanted...And look what happened, we won by 14. Ill let kobe score 60 point, 80 points, I dont care, he can play 1 on 5 all he wants thats not going to beat the Celtics. Look what happened in the 4th quarter, the lakers were only down by what, 4 points. Then Kobe stopped passing the ball and taking everything one on one, sure he made a lot of shots but he got 0 assists on the night. Im not worried about Kobe going off.

[greenpride32]

Pierce and Ray can both guard Kobe very well, especially Pierce, just watch the 2008 finals. The thing with someone like Tony Allen is that yes, he gives you good defense, but he takes away a lot from the offense when he's out there so it balances out. It's not like you are going to play him 30+ minutes against LA in the finals and expect to win.

My only concern with Ray and Pierce on Kobe is the cheap foul calls.  Two quick ones and you're on the bench for a quarter.  But right now the Lakers are not looking like a team that can win the west.

[anthony83]

GO CELTICS

 We made a great game, the Celtics played very well. Pierce and Allen are playing a fantastic level with excellent shot selection.
 Awesome KG, Big Baby also did a great job.

  I enjoyed a lot with this victory, but it's only regular season when the playoffs come we must play with the same intensity.

 This victory is very important but we must not relax, this year we have to win the ring.

 GO CELTICS WE ARE THE BEST.

[Bankshot]

Pierce and Ray can both guard Kobe very well, especially Pierce, just watch the 2008 finals. The thing with someone like Tony Allen is that yes, he gives you good defense, but he takes away a lot from the offense when he's out there so it balances out. It's not like you are going to play him 30+ minutes against LA in the finals and expect to win.

My only concern with Ray and Pierce on Kobe is the cheap foul calls.  Two quick ones and you're on the bench for a quarter.  But right now the Lakers are not looking like a team that can win the west.

Yep. Too risky to have Ray and/or Paul defending Kobe for a whole series.  There will likely be some games that they foul out.  We need someone off the bench that can give Kobe some trouble.  Doesn't look like Marquis can do it.  I saw someone post somewhere that Marquis doesn't show up in big games.  I hope that's not true.