2010 NBA Finals: Lakers Vs. Celtics Game 3 Preview

Ray Allen put on a three-point shooting clinic and led the Celtics to a 103-94 victory in Game 2 of the 2010 NBA Finals. Allen scored a game high 32 points on 55% shooting and made an NBA Finals record eight of his 11 three-point attempts. Allen was assisted by backcourt mate Rajon Rondo who recorded another playoff triple-double with 19 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists.

The Celtics limited dribble penetration and forced the Lakers to shoot contested jumpers. As a result the Lakers shot a mere 40.8% from the field and an atrocious 5-for-22 (22.7%) beyond the three-point arc. Boston also outscored Los Angeles in the paint 36-26.

With the series now tied at one game apiece Boston has the home-court advantage and if they protect it they will win their 18th NBA Championship.

2010 NBA Finals Schedule

Game 1: Thursday, June 3, Boston Celtics 89 at Los Angeles Lakers 102, Lakers lead series 1-0
Game 2: Sunday, June 6, Boston Celtics 103 at Los Angeles Lakers 94, Series tied 1-1
Game 3: Tuesday, June 8, Los Angeles Lakers at Boston Celtics, 6:00 PM PDT
Game 4: Thursday, June 10, Los Angeles Lakers at Boston Celtics, 6:00 PM PDT
Game 5: Sunday, June 13, Los Angeles Lakers at Boston Celtics, 5:00 PM PDT
Game 6: Tuesday, June 15, Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Lakers, 6:00 PM PDT (if necessary)
Game 7: Thursday, June 17, Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Lakers, 6:00 PM PDT (if necessary)

With the next three games at the TD Garden the pressure is now squarely on the Lakers' shoulders. Look for the Lakers' leaders, Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher, to set the tone early in Game 3. After being plagued with foul trouble throughout Game 2 expect Kobe to open Game 3 aggressively. Kobe will look for scoring opportunities and force the Celtics to adjust their defense. Do not be surprised if Bryant scores 10 or more points in the first quarter.

When the Celtics do adjust their defense and send extra bodies at Bryant look for Derek Fisher to confidently step into his shot and make those same shots that he missed in Games 1 and 2.

In order for Los Angeles to win in Boston they will have to do a much better job of staying attached to Ray Allen's hip to limit his shooting space. Fisher will aggressively pursue Allen through the picks and get an illegal screen or two called against the Celtics.

After poor efforts in Games 1 and 2 Lamar Odom will be aggressive on both the offensive and defensive boards. Whenever Odom grabs a defensive rebound he will try to push the ball up the floor and look to get easy buckets in transition. Whenever he gets an offensive board look for him to use his length to get a layup attempt.

The Lakers will need to play Game 3 of the 2010 NBA Finals with a sense of urgency while keeping a Zen-like calmness. They must remain focused and disciplined throughout the game.

If the Celtics want to keep home-court advantage they must find a way to contain Kobe Bryant. Bryant will likely attack Boston's defense and the Celtics will have to find a way to slow him down without giving up wide open shots to the other Lakers. Look for Boston to try to wall Kobe off and keep him on one side of the floor. The Celtics will also try to limit Bryant's passing lanes so that he cannot easily move the ball to the other side of the floor with one pass.

Boston will look to turn their defensive stops into fast break opportunities. The Celtics want to avoid going against the Lakers half-court defense as much as they possibly can.

Game 3 of the 2010 NBA Finals will be a slugfest. Both teams want to take a 2-1 series lead. Kobe Bryant and the Lakers will win a bitterly contested game to regain home-court advantage.

Click here for a series preview of the 2010 NBA Finals.
Click here for the Los Angeles Lakers' Road to the 2010 NBA Finals.
Click here for the Boston Celtics' Road to the 2010 NBA Finals.

Information from Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers-Recap-June 06, 2010, Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers-Box Score-June 06, 2010, 2010 NBA Finals Schedule, and Lamar Odom Stats, was used for this article.