Pre-Game 3 Thoughts

Game 3: Boston at Los Angeles

It is always easy to say "this game is the most important game of the series." Game 1 has value because it is the first game; it's the tone setter. Game 7, if a series goes that far, is obviously the clincher.

But this game is very important. If the Celtics win, they jump out 3-0 and effectively crush the Lakers' hopes. Remember that no NBA team has recovered from such a deficit.

If the Lakers win tonight, it dramatically shifts the momentum of this series. Behind Pierce's emotional play in Game 1 and Leon Powe's gem in Game 2, the Celtics have entirely controlled the tempo. In a sense, the Lakers have never had their swagger. They have yet to find their edge.

As a young team, they rely on confidence. When Kobe Bryant plays passionately, the younger guys follow. Pau Gasol is a great scorer, but he is by no means a one-man post force, at least not yet. He needs another player to create and set him up (Bryant). The same can be said for Vladimir Radmanovic, Luke Walton, Derek Fisher, and Sasha Vujacic. The lone exception is Lamar Odom.

With his length and versatility, he can create off the dribble and in the post. With that said, Odom has never been the most consistent contributor. Again, if the Lakers don't have their swagger; if they don't have their confidence, they are very ineffective. The dominoes fall quickly. Remember only one regular is over 30 (Fisher).

So with a win tonight, they get that blood flowing and this series dramatically shifts.

So watch the Celtics' sense of urgency tonight. They are on top of the world right now. Everything (Pierce's potential injury, role play) has gone their way in this series. If they are going to steal a game in LA, it might as well be this one.

If they crater and lose Game 3, they lose all of their momentum for Games 4 and 5, especially with the younger Lakers getting into a better rhythm at home.

Tonight's SS player to monitor: Lakers G, Sasha Vujacic