The NBA Finals begin tonight with the two most legendary franchises in basketball history colliding for yet another title. The Boston Celtics will face the Los Angeles Lakers in game 1 at Staples Center this evening in what should be an epic series. The Celtics won the title two years ago having beaten the Lakers for it. The Lakers are the defending champions and are making their third straight finals appearance. This series is full of superstar players and coaches and I expect a lot out of them. Here’s my breakdown of Celtics vs. Lakers in the 2010 NBA Finals:
POINT GUARD
Rajon Rondo (Celtics) vs. Derek Fisher (Lakers)
Rondo has had some huge games in the playoffs and now that the Finals are here, he can step up and show the world he’s big time player. Fisher is as steady as they come. He’s been through everything as a player. He steps up when the Lakers need him to hit a shot or make a play, but often just fits in to the system and makes his teammates look good. I think Rondo’s quickness is going to be a problem for the Lakers. He’ll be able to get past Fisher and down the lane often.
EDGE: Celtics
SHOOTING GUARD
Ray Allen (Celtics) vs. Kobe Bryant
While Allen is a great player, Bryant is a force to be reckoned with in the playoffs. He wills his team to victory and won’t allow his teammates to play poorly. Bryant showed in game 6 against Phoenix that he goes for the jugular and is unstoppable when it’s time to close the game out. Bryant wants four more wins more than anyone else in this series.
EDGE: Lakers
SMALL FORWARD
Paul Pierce vs. Ron Artest
Pierce is trying to get his name etched along the other great Celtics as a multiple champion. He’s the clutch performer for the Celtics and playing back in his hometown, he’ll be looking to put up big numbers. Artest is a lockdown defender but has made some critical errors in judgment during the playoffs. If he plays consistently look out.
EDGE: Celtics
POWER FORWARD
Kevin Garnett (Celtics) vs. Pau Gasol (Lakers)
Garnett has been banged up most of the past two seasons but has been playing well in the playoffs and I’ve got a feeling he’ll be ready for this series. Gasol is a guy who needs to impose his will. He needs to be strong on the block and score on a regular basis. He needs to find holes in the Celtics’ defense and pass through them. I give Gasol the slight advantage.
EDGE: Lakers
CENTER
Kendrick Perkins (Celtics) vs. Andrew Bynum (Lakers)
Perkins is one tech away from being suspended for a game and that looms large. You’ve got to think the Lakers will go at him extra hard trying to get him to react and draw that T. He’s a tremendous defender though and I think is going to be key for the Celtics. If he maintains his composure and avoids the T, he’ll be a huge asset. Bynum isn’t 100% and needs to be. He’s going to face a completely different style defense than what he’s faced in the playoffs so far. How will he adjust to the physicality of the Perkins and Wallace will be crucial to the Lakers winning.
EDGE: Celtics
BENCH
Rasheed Wallace and Glen “Big Baby” Davis are keys to this series. They’ll need to come in and play well against the big front line of the Lakers. The Celtics bench has been playing well this postseason and should continue through the Finals. For the Lakers, they’ll need Lamar Odom to play like he did at the start of the Phoenix series. If he brings that rebounding and aggression, he’ll be a difference maker in this series. The Lakers bench is going to have to show up in Boston for games 3 through 5 though. They can’t just depend on playing well at home to keep the title in LA.
EDGE: Celtics
COACH
Doc Rivers (Celtics) vs. Phil Jackson (Lakers)
Doc Rivers and his staff have been excellent in the postseason. They’ve had their team ready for every series from the tip of game 1 until the close out. They’ve had the right strategy for every opponent and I think that will continue in this one. Phil Jackson knows how to win. The guy knows how to handle a team that has a load of talent and will put them in position to win. Phil’s won 10, enough said.
EDGE: Lakers
So after examining all the data and watching these teams through the playoffs, I think the biggest impact on this series is the days off between games. The Celtics will be rested at the start and ready to go. I’m taking the Celtics in six games.
