Game 3: Lakers Versus Celtics Recap

The Los Angeles Lakers came into Boston with the NBA Finals tied at one game apiece after splitting a home stand with the Boston Celtics. Game 3 was another battle of emotion and wits. Similar to a chess match, Phil Jackson and Doc Rivers moved their pieces into place in order to come out on top. The game, live on ABC, was like a heavyweight title fight that saw blow-by-blow from each competitor in unusual places.

The Celtics got a major boost from the bench players when they needed it the most. Glen 'Big Baby' Davis and Tony Allen proved crucial in the second-half surge that led the Celtics to within two points of the Lakers with minutes left to play. Davis came in and played 24 major minutes and contributed 12 points off the bench, while Allen harassed the Lakers defensively and chipped in his own 7 points.

On the other side of the court, the Lakers packed a punch with veteran guard Derek Fisher late in the game. Fisher put the Lakers on his back, with timely points in the fourth quarter to keep the Celtics at bay. A change from the previous two game in Los Angeles, Fisher chipped away at the Celtics hopes with 16 points. He was the X-factor in game 3.

The real story story from game 3 was the officiating and the new rule that implements replay within the final two minutes of the game. There were several opportunities for the officials to get calls right; for the most part, they did. The one play that stands out was when Lamar Odom snagged a rebound within the final two minutes and Rajon Rondo seemingly lodged the ball loose and forced it out of bounds. A review quickly followed and the call that came was shocking.

When looking at the replay, it is clearly obvious that Rondo missed the ball completely and took out Odom's right arm, causing him to throw the ball away with his left hand. Yes, the ball went out of bounds because Odom threw it there, but it was at the expense of a Rondo foul. The Celtics were rewarded the ball. I expect that, soon, if not immediately, the rules of replay will be changed.

It is clear that the constant replay took away from the game that was played. It slowed down the peak of the fourth quarter with unnecessary stoppage and made it almost pointless to watch the game on television. In the end, the Lakers held off the Celtics to prove victorious in a 91-84 victory. The Lakers now lead the series two games to one.

The usual suspects: ESPN cited the Lakers' Kobe Bryant had 29 points and seven rebounds, Pau Gasol added 13 points and 10 rebounds, and Andrew Bynum provided nine points along with 10 rebounds. The Celtics' Kevin Garnett had 25 points and six rebounds, Paul Pierce chipped in 15 points in limited action due to foul trouble, and Rajon Rondo scored 11 points along with dishing out eight assists.