Too much for Celtics to overcome

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June 17, 2010

Too much for Celtics to overcome

Michael Muldoon The Eagle Tribune Thu Jun 17, 2010, 12:25 AM EDT

Too bad this one isn't being played in Boston.

Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher are like Roman gladiators. Impervious to pressure, they'll fight to the death no matter where the game is. But some of their Laker teammates like Pau Gasol, Ron Artest and Lamar Odom can be thrown off their game while playing in a tough road environment.

However, Game 7 is at friendly Staples Center, where they are in their comfort zone as evidenced by their 10-1 home playoff record.

That homecourt advantage is the main reason why the Lakers should beat the Celtics in Game 7 tonight.

The comfort level, the extra four or five calls the home team invariably gets and the typical reduced play of the visitors will be too much to overcome.

Game 6 casualty Kendrick Perkins got bad news on the knee and is looking at major surgery. At his age and fitness level, Rasheed Wallace is better in limited minutes. He and undersized Glen Davis, however, will have to man the middle. If they get in foul trouble and Shelden Williams checks in, turn your set off, it's over.

That's not even the worst news for Boston, however.

What's up with Rajon Rondo? His game has gone further south than Tierra del Fuego. He's attempted a mere four total free throws in the last three games and has made a putrid 4 of 17 from the line vs. L.A. We saw it with Antoine Walker, when a player dreads going to the line, he stops taking the ball to the hoop.

And taking the ball to the hoop is what makes Rondo special. Remember when he was being called the top point guard in the game prior to this series? We certainly haven't heard that lately.

To win a Game 7 in L.A., the C's will probably need strong games from three of the Big 4 of Rondo, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen.

Offensive firepower has been a major problem for Boston. Only in Game 5 have three of the four hit their regular season average and in three of the games only one of them did it.

Boston is nothing if not proud. You don't do a postseason 180 like they did, without being able to dig deep and stare down the opposition.

That pride and will would be enough to get them past almost anybody. Almost anybody but the Lakers playing Game 7 in L.A.

Prediction: Lakers 93, Boston 85.

E-mail Michael Muldoon at mmuldoon@eagletribune.com.