Gasol takes Round 1

Was this a semi-catchy slogan or a premonition about Kevin Garnett’s rebounding?

Lakers fans, especially those up high in the air-challenged sector at Staples Center, were donning the gold T-shirts with these words on the front:

“This is the One.”

And through three quarters, that’s as many rebounds as Garnett had against the Lakers in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

One.

The Celtics’ power forward would go on to add three more rebounds in the fourth quarter in the Lakers’ 102-89 victory against Boston on Thursday night. He finished with four rebounds and 16 points.

“I’m better than what I was tonight,” said a downcast Garnett in the Celtics’ locker room afterward. “I played like tonight.”

He used two descriptive words to drive the point home, if there was really any doubt, especially after missing some can’t-miss layups in close. It looked almost cringe-worthy.

And so, the game within the game, the key matchup between the power forwards, Garnett, and the Lakers’ Pau Gasol went to the Spaniard in Round 1.

Gasol had 23 points and 14 rebounds. He and Lakers center Andrew Bynum combined for 20 rebounds, and Garnett and Celtics center Kendrick Perkins combined for seven rebounds.

The other stunning statistic, second-chance points:

Lakers 16, Celtics 0.

“I was ready,” Gasol said. “I was just ready to play. I like the challenge, and I’m ready to step up and play. That’s all I did.”

Said Garnett: “I’m pretty sure everybody needs to step up a little bit on our part -- including myself.”

Gasol was criticized heavily in the aftermath of the Lakers’ loss to the Celtics in the 2008 Finals, getting called out as soft after the pounding by the likes of Garnett and Perkins.

Part One of his Boston redemption tour came on Thursday night.

“It was important just to play hard, be aggressive that was my mindset tonight. There was no statements to be made,” Gasol said.

Garnett was asked about the difference in Gasol from two years ago.

“He was aggressive,” Garnett said. “They got second shots with the rebounds. We’ve got to do a better job with a lot of things. I’m sure we’ll fix it tomorrow. It’s only Game 1, though.”

Lakers Coach Phil Jackson spoke about the progress Gasol has made in the last couple of years.

“What I see from him is just the little actions that represent not backing down type of things, getting hit, taking the blow,” Jackson said. “Not reacting to it one way or the other with the mentality to look at the referee or wonder about the blow and the legitimacy of it.”

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lisa.dillman@latimes.com

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