Home » Sports » Basketball
Lakers find Allen too hot to handle
Source: Agencies |
June 8, 2010, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
THE Boston Celtics stunned the Los Angeles Lakers 103-94 in Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Sunday, seizing home-court advantage in the series on the back of a scintillating display of long-range shooting from Ray Allen.
Flexing their muscles after being overpowered in Game 1, veteran Allen and fellow guard Rajon Rondo led a formidable assault at a sold-out Staples Center as the Celtics ensured the teams travel to Boston locked at 1-1 in the best-of-seven set.
Allen contributed a game-high 32 points, including an NBA Finals record of eight three-pointers, while Rondo weighed in with a triple-double of 19 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists.
"They both were terrific," Celtics coach Doc Rivers told reporters with a smile. "Ray in the first half when he gets into those zones... our team could see it and they were doing everything they could to find him.
"I have not seen him much warmer than tonight."
The 34-year-old Allen scored 27 of his points in the first half before eclipsing the NBA Finals record of seven three-pointers he had previously shared with Scottie Pippen and Kenny Smith.
"Rondo did a terrific job of finding him (Allen)," Rivers added. "He saved us in the first half with Kevin (Garnett) in foul trouble and Paul (Pierce) struggling. We needed points and Ray gave them to us."
Pau Gasol led the Lakers with 25 points and center Andrew Bynum added 21 as the defending champions fought back from a 14-point deficit in the first half to lead by three late in the final quarter before running out of steam.
Reputation
All-Star guard Kobe Bryant also recorded 21 points along with six assists for Los Angeles but, despite his reputation as the game's finest closer, was unable to earn his team a last-gasp win after running into foul trouble.
In front of a 19,000 capacity crowd, which included actors Leonardo DiCaprio, Hilary Swank and Jack Nicholson, the Celtics kept a tight rein on Bryant in a wildly fluctuating first quarter that ended with the visiting team 29-22 in front.
Boston tightened its grip in the second period, an early 13-6 run and Allen's hot hand putting them 14 points clear before Bryant's steal for a three-pointer on the buzzer capped a mini-revival and cut the deficit to 54-48 at half-time.
The Lakers made an electric start to the third period, Ron Artest sparking a 9-2 run with a three-point shot as the NBA champions edged ahead 57-56. A superb fadeaway jump shot by Bryant put the Lakers ahead 90-87 with 5.21 left on the clock and the crowd, repeatedly chanting "MVP, MVP," scented a trademark finish from their talisman to close out the game.
However, Rondo upstaged his more illustrious opponent with a series of driving lay-ups, jump shots and free throws as Boston regained the lead and held on for the win.
"We had a little lead right at the end and we didn't do our job. They did," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said after his team had been beaten for the first time in 10 playoff games at home this season. "Their execution was better."
Flexing their muscles after being overpowered in Game 1, veteran Allen and fellow guard Rajon Rondo led a formidable assault at a sold-out Staples Center as the Celtics ensured the teams travel to Boston locked at 1-1 in the best-of-seven set.
Allen contributed a game-high 32 points, including an NBA Finals record of eight three-pointers, while Rondo weighed in with a triple-double of 19 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists.
"They both were terrific," Celtics coach Doc Rivers told reporters with a smile. "Ray in the first half when he gets into those zones... our team could see it and they were doing everything they could to find him.
"I have not seen him much warmer than tonight."
The 34-year-old Allen scored 27 of his points in the first half before eclipsing the NBA Finals record of seven three-pointers he had previously shared with Scottie Pippen and Kenny Smith.
"Rondo did a terrific job of finding him (Allen)," Rivers added. "He saved us in the first half with Kevin (Garnett) in foul trouble and Paul (Pierce) struggling. We needed points and Ray gave them to us."
Pau Gasol led the Lakers with 25 points and center Andrew Bynum added 21 as the defending champions fought back from a 14-point deficit in the first half to lead by three late in the final quarter before running out of steam.
Reputation
All-Star guard Kobe Bryant also recorded 21 points along with six assists for Los Angeles but, despite his reputation as the game's finest closer, was unable to earn his team a last-gasp win after running into foul trouble.
In front of a 19,000 capacity crowd, which included actors Leonardo DiCaprio, Hilary Swank and Jack Nicholson, the Celtics kept a tight rein on Bryant in a wildly fluctuating first quarter that ended with the visiting team 29-22 in front.
Boston tightened its grip in the second period, an early 13-6 run and Allen's hot hand putting them 14 points clear before Bryant's steal for a three-pointer on the buzzer capped a mini-revival and cut the deficit to 54-48 at half-time.
The Lakers made an electric start to the third period, Ron Artest sparking a 9-2 run with a three-point shot as the NBA champions edged ahead 57-56. A superb fadeaway jump shot by Bryant put the Lakers ahead 90-87 with 5.21 left on the clock and the crowd, repeatedly chanting "MVP, MVP," scented a trademark finish from their talisman to close out the game.
However, Rondo upstaged his more illustrious opponent with a series of driving lay-ups, jump shots and free throws as Boston regained the lead and held on for the win.
"We had a little lead right at the end and we didn't do our job. They did," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said after his team had been beaten for the first time in 10 playoff games at home this season. "Their execution was better."
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
