Celtics blow big opportunity

The Celtics had no right to be in a position to steal Tuesday's game three of the NBA Finals. They weren't shooting well, were committing too many turnovers and were battling a big deficit at the foul line.

That's what defense does for you, though. The Lakers were getting a solid individual effort from Kobe Bryant but Boston has effectively erased Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom from this series. Bryant has mostly been unable to lift up the play of his teammates and as a result, he's reverted to the Kobe of seasons past, where he takes over and leaves the others to watch.

Not his fault, though. The rest of the Lakers have been struggling all series. Sasha Vujacic stepped up with a huge game three performance and that gave LA enough offense to avoid falling into an inescapable 3-0 hole.

The Celtics had their chance, though, leading into the fourth quarter. I thought Doc Rivers blundered by not playing a better offensive unit down the stretch. The Lakers' offense had been reduced to Bryant and Vujacic but Boston was also struggling for points. Rivers should have maximized his offense, perhaps by using Sam Cassell instead of Rajon Rondo and Leon Powe instead of Kendrick Perkins. Then Rivers should have run more double teams at Bryant in the closing minutes.

Boston still has to feel pretty good right now. They almost one a game that Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce combined to go eight for 35. That won't happen again, not against the Lakers. Boston still has to be the favorite to win the series.