A giant "Thank you" to David Stern. Thanks for scheduling two days between Games 1 and 2. Paul Pierce will have nearly 72 hours to rest his ailing right knee. The knee some classless LA sportswriters are claiming isn't really injured. Regardless, Paul's knee is now the story of the series. Whether he's 70, 80 or 90 percent, I expect the Truth to play in Game 2.

The Celtics could not guard the Lakers pick-and-roll in the first half. On several occasions, the Lakers made quick passes to Pau Gasol who darted to the hoop for dunks or easy baskets. Kendrick Perkins looked especially slow and inept. Derek Fisher also killed us in the first half. With foul troubling limiting Pierce to just 3 pts, the Lakers up 5 at the break along with the fear that Kobe Bryant would erupt in the second half, I was a bit concerned.

But as they've done all season, the Celtics took charge in the 3rd quarter. Pierce dropped 8 pts in 90 seconds, including one 4-point play. Then came the injury, but that didn't matter. Doc rallied the troops (who says Phil Jackson is the only master motivator) and the Celtics went on a 10-2 run without the Captain. Able to shake-off the pain, Pierce returned to a huge ovation and proceeded to drop two huge 3s which put the Celtics up for good. Call me gay, but I had goosebumps. How could you not?

The Celtics defense definitely tightened up in the second half (Could it be Doc actually made better adjustments that the great Phil Jackson?). Gasol and Fisher disappeared. The Celtics stayed close to Kobe and forced him to take contested shots (despite his assertion that he missed "bunnies"). With that said, the Lakers had several shots go in-and-out. If these shots fall, who knows what happens. The Celtics defense also benefited from Perkins ankle sprain. PJ Brown has much better footwork than Perk.

KG had a horrible 0-9 stretch in the 3rd and 4th quarters. But he made two great plays which quickly made us forget his struggles. The first was the hustle play which saved a back-court violation and led to a Sam Cassell jumper (My only criticism of Rivers is that Sam played about 3 minutes too long in the 4th quarter). And the second was the play which sealed the game, the monster dunk off the James Posey miss.

As for the so-called greatest player in the universe, Bryant appeared disinterested at times. Maybe he grew frustrated having Ray Allen in his jock all night. Maybe he thought he could flip the switch in the fourth (just 1-5 FG). Didn't matter, Paul Pierce wasn't letting the Celtics lose.

Chuck - Red's Army