BOSTON (AP) -Kobe Bryant scored a lot of points, but needed a lot of shots to do it.
Bryant needed 29 attempts to score 29 points in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 91-84 victory over the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night in Game 3 of the NBA finals.
It was the second straight poor shooting game for Bryant, but he said he didn’t think the Celtics were defending him any differently.
“I think we’re a better team, so that enables me to continue to be aggressive and put pressure on defenses,” Bryant said. “I made shots tonight in stretches, missed some in stretches, a lot of them were tough shots with 3 seconds on the clock. We’ve got to do a better job with that. But I think we’re just a better team.”
Bryant was 10 of 29 from the field after he shot 8 for 20 in Game 2. He’s shooting just 39 percent for the series.
nd-round upset of Cleveland. Now they’re making things difficult for Bryant, last season’s NBA finals MVP.
“They’re getting up underneath him on his shot, so he’s got a hard time getting a clear lift on his shot,” Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. “It keeps him from turning his body, so he can’t get the right turn a lot of times on it, and they’ve done a good job. He made a couple key baskets for us. Got 29 points, 29 shots to get it, so I know they’re going to be happy with that.
“He’s got to get better productivity out of it, and he knows that.”
—
TOUGH TURNAROUND: Cross-country flights. A three-hour time change. And then a critical Game 3 of the NBA finals between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers.
Boston coach Doc Rivers dealt with the quick turnaround between the Celtics’ 103-94 win on Sunday night that tied the series 1-1 and Tuesday night’s game by giving his players time to rest after arriving Monday.
“I told them to go home and get some sleep,” he said. “This turnaround is a tough turnaround for everybody.”
The Celtics did get together Tuesday afternoon to watch film, hours before the Lakers took Game 3 91-84.
d 39 minutes in that game.
“We’ll watch him closely, try and get him in and out of the game early and see how he does,” Jackson said. “It’ll be a good opportunity for Lamar (Odom) to get into the game. He’s been coming into the game probably two or three minutes later than usual and I think that affected him a little bit.”
In the first two games, Odom had just eight points with nine rebounds and 10 fouls.
—
COMPLAINING ABOUT COMPLAINING: Doc Rivers has a complaint with all the Lakers’ complaining.
After the Celtics’ victory in Game 2, Lakers coach Phil Jackson voiced some displeasure with the officiating. Kobe Bryant was in foul trouble and reserve Lamar Odom had to quickly return to the bench after picking up three fouls.
Still, the fouls were even at 29 – and that was only because the Lakers were forced to foul at the end of the game. Los Angeles shot 41 free throws, 15 more than Boston.
“I’m just miffed and amazed how the other team complained about the fouls, since we’ve been the team that’s been in foul trouble for two games,” Rivers said before the start of Game 3.
Kevin Garnett was in foul trouble in Game 2, and Ray Allen was limited to just 27 minutes of Game 1 because of fouls. So Rivers can’t understand why the Lakers feel they have much to complain about.
“Maybe they do different math there or something,” Rivers said. “I don’t get that one.”
—
TOUGH TRANSITION: With reports circulating about Cleveland’s interest in Michigan State coach Tom Izzo, Jackson and Rivers have different views on why college coaches have had a tough time making the transition to the NBA.
Jackson cited the heavy workload. Rivers said former college coaches usually are hired by struggling teams.
“It’s not an easy job,” Jackson said. “When it’s 200-some days, depending on how far you go into the playoffs, it’s (a) pretty arduous task as far as dealing with stars of all ranges coming to the NBA.
“The game itself, 82 games is a big difference from 30 or whatever you coach in college.”
Among college coaches who struggled in their first NBA seasons were Rick Pitino with the New York Knicks, John Calipari with the New Jersey Nets, Tim Floyd with the Chicago Bulls and Mike Montgomery with the Golden State Warriors. All took over weak teams.
“I don’t think it’s tough for college coaches to coach in the NBA,” Rivers said. “If you look at it historically, they’ve all had bad jobs. They’ve all had bad talent on their team. I think the first one that gets good players will be a good coach in our league.”
zzo up to $6 million a year for four or five seasons.
“Good for him,” Jackson said with a smile. “Way to go.”
—
NBA CARES: The league and several playing legends will be in the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston on Wednesday to dedicate a renovated community center that will provide members of the Boston Centers for Youth and Families with a safe place to play and learn.
Current and former Celtics players, including John Havlicek and Glen “Big Baby” Davis, along with Hall of Famers Julius Erving and Bob Lanier will be on hand to cut the ribbon. Mayor Tom Menino, commissioner David Stern and Celtics owners Wyc Grousbeck and Steve Pagliuca will also be there.
Add A Comment