Lakers-Celtics Game Two: If You Break Paul Pierce's Other Knee, Maybe He'll Never Miss

I came in a bit late for the first half, but I think I'm getting the gist... the Lakers play badly, Bryant still refusing to take contact and drive the paint, but the Celtics aren't getting real separation. The Lake Show is showing a bit of grit on the boards, and Paul Gasol hit his first six shots from the floor, with a lot of good motion in the paint. But the team with the best player ususally wins games in the Finals, and so far, that's Paul Pierce. In a walk. MVP Kobe? My ass.

Boston also got a big lift from yet another random guy (this time, Leon Powe, with 8 points on nine free throw attempts, or nine times the number that Bryant had). The Lake starting backcourt is killing them, and that was expected to be where they would have an advantage. Now, Rajon Rondo has been a near total home court player in the playoffs, so maybe the series will go long... but right now, the Celtics have all the answers, and are getting all the calls (19 to 2 on free throw attempts?). At the half, it's Boston 54, Lakers 42.