Fisher and Lakers Take Game 3

An unlikely Los Angeles Laker took control of Game 3 and led his team to the 91-84 victory.  It wasn't Pau Gasol, Ron Artest or Lamar Odom, but point guard Derek Fisher.  The decisive shot came with 48 seconds left, with the Lakers up by four.  Most would bring it out to take some time off the clock, but Fisher took it to the basket, in a 1 on 4 scenario, layed it high off the glass as he was tackled by three Celtic defenders, made the basket, and his foul shot.  Lakers coach Phil Jackson through SI.com said, "We have this direct-line principle -- no one steps up, you keep going -- and he saw the opening and made a very bold play.  It was one-on-four. It was imperative that it goes in for us to win.'' 

Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers reiterated the point by saying, again through SI.com, "Won the game for them.  Derek Fisher was the difference in the game. We lost our composure a little bit down the stretch -- a four-point game, all you need is a stop. We let Derek Fisher dribble the ball all the way up the court, unattended, get a three-point play. If you get a stop there, we had plenty of time. But that's where we [need] the mental toughness. We've got to hang in there. It's not going to be an easy game, none of them are going to be, and that's what we have to do.''

The Lakers have now taken the lead in the series, on Boston' home court, and the Celtics will have to make some adjustments in their play if they want any chance of a victory.  Ray Allen, in Game 2, took over the NBA record for three-pointers in an NBA Finals game with 8, but went a disappointing 0-13 from the field in game 3, going 0-8 from three-point land where he had so much success in the previous game.  Paul Pierce also struggled offensively, and the Celtics were unable to make key stops down the stretch to get the game close.  They'll have to tighten up their defense if they want a chance against the Lakers that have a lot of offensive firepower.

Game 4 of the NBA Finals is set for Thursday in Boston.  The Celtics look to even the series and the Lakers hope to gain even more of a cushion.  It should be another hard fought battle.