- Get really good games from 2 of the "Big 3." Simply put, when the Celtics only get a good game from one of Allen, Pierce, and Garnett, the chances of winning aren't good. Pierce lovers can't hide behind this one -- he's really underperformed and the excuses are exhausting at this point. He's the captain and these are the finals, so he needs to have a really good game here on out. Garnett's big game 3 could have been fluke, and you wonder how many of those he has in him. Hopefully, Allen has amnesia and comes out shooting like a college beruit player and sinks some big buckets. Combine a good game from 2 of the "big 3" should really help the Celtics chances.
- Stop tipping up the basketball and jump to get the rebound instead. Everyone knows Bynum and Gasol's length are a thorn in the Celtics' side, but it wouldn't kill Perkins to play up to par and for Garnett to jump off the ground. Rebounding is about boxing out and getting in good position, not just how high you can jump, but the Celtics too many times have stood there and just tipped the ball up to whoever is in the area. The point here: the Lakers are too underneath to not rebound better. Perkins is the big target here -- they need big boards from the big men to prevent paint points from Paul and Bynum. Effort is key here: do the little things.
- Get Rondo to drive to the basket. He made it look easy in game 2 in LA, and he is fast enough to scorch Fisher and Bryant to get to the hoop. If Rondo goes to the hoop, it creates more shots for Ray Allen outside -- it will make defenders back off a bit from that 3-point line and follow Rajon to the hoop. No one ever said it was a bad thing for Kobe to have to play chase, and to make Phil Jackson think a little harder.
- Hit your free throws. Pretty simple concept, yet game 3 you would have thought the Celtics didn't even practice that part of their game. If the refs are calling everything -- and trust me, they are -- you are going to get to the line. It's free points, so they better hit them. You have to wonder what the outcome would have been if the Celtics hit their free throws. Much different game.
- Get Allen involved, and involved early. Too many times, Allen is hot and then passes stop going his way. Everyone knows his performance two nights ago was bad, but they need this guy if they're going to win. Feed him the ball often and early. The only way to come out of a funk -- if you want to call one game that -- is to keep shooting. Get Ray going early and the game might be a little easier.
- Allow Kobe to take twenty-nine shots again. If he's taking this many shots, it means good things underneath. It means Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum (if he plays) aren't getting looks. Then again, just make sure he doesn't sink the majority of those twenty-nine.
- Stop whining and just play. We all know Eddie F. Rush is one of the policemen working tonight's game, but the focus on officials isn't going to get it done. Just play ball and don't worry about the rest. It will take care of itself as long as the C's keep their mouths shut.
- Get a big game from a bench player. Whether it's Nate Robinson, Rasheed Wallace, Big Baby, or Tony Allen on defense, the C's need a big game from one of those guys. No one mentioned it, but I thought T.A. played a great game on D off the bench tuesday night. Hopefully we get more of the same. I thought Baby was big offensively in game 2, but Doc needed some rebounds down the stretch there. You wonder if he'll give Baby the hook next time for Perk if the situation is similar.
- Relax. Play intense from start to finish and don't take your foot off the pedal, but play relaxed and smooth. Don't chuck dumb passed across the court or take bad shots. Don't wait until four seconds left on the shot clock -- set yourself up for success.
Expect to be 2-2 after tonight. Hope everyone enjoys the game.
JMO
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