focus (n.) - a central point, as of attraction, attention or activity
Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers may want to rip that out of the dictionary, blow it up, and tape it on the whiteboard in the visitors' locker room prior to tomorrow night's Game 7. It would serve as a nice reminder why the C's are even in the position to lose the NBA title.
A supreme and overwhelming lack of focus is why the Lakers blew the Celtics out of the water 89-67. Boston went from shooting a series best 56% in Game 5, to a series worst 33% last night. The bench were the primary offenders, going 4-of-26 from the field including an 0-for-7 from Rasheed Wallace.
The starters weren't much better though, all shooting below 50% from the floor, except for Ray Allen. His quick start kept the C's in the game early. Boston and L.A were tied at 12 when the Lakers went on a 28-11 run, putting the Celtics in a bottomless hole.
To raise their 18th championship banner, the Green are going to have to do what they've done all year, excel in the face of adversity. At various points, the Celtics have been counted out they have responded with top performances from their top and not-so-top players.
Perkins Out for Game 7
That will have to be the case once again as Boston center Kendrick Perkins will be out for the final game of the year. Perkins injured his knee in the first quarter of last night's loss, tearing two ligaments. Rivers did not say after practice if he would start Rasheed Wallace or Glen Davis in Perkins' place.
Both Wallace and Davis have stepped up at different points in this series, but the C's will likely need both players to contribute in order take home the title. Not only will the backup big men need to have a good game, but Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett will all have to rebound from subpar efforts in Game 6.
That's been the overarching theme of the series. The Lakers are going to get production from Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol, that much is certain. The question has been, how much do the Celtics get from their collective group of stars? The answer tells you who wins tomorrow night.
Written by:
