Lakers Coach Phil Jackson wary of Game 2 against Celtics
Twenty-seven seconds into Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night, Ron Artest and Paul Pierce became entangled, leading to both wresting each other to the floor and getting double technical fouls.
Artest, Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher picked up two fouls in the first quarter, in which there were 18 fouls called and 20 free throws shot. It took 35 minutes to play the first quarter, 33 to play the second and 35 to play the third and fourth quarters.
With Game 2 set for Sunday at Staples Center, Lakers Coach Phil Jackson would prefer the tone of the game be different for his team.
“We really want our players to settle into this game,” Jackson said after practice Saturday at the Lakers’ training facility.
The Lakers and Boston Celtics had two days off to reflect on the first game.
For the Lakers, the down time was helpful in that it allowed center Andrew Bynum to rest his right knee. He had about 2 ½ ounces of fluid drained Monday, but the swelling returned soon after.
Bynum played 28 minutes in Game 1, but the two days of rest did him good.
Bryant was able to rest his rest his right knee and Lamar Odom was able to rest his sprained right knee and sore left shoulder.
That’s what the Lakers gained from the days off. But it’s possible that they also lost something.
“I think you lose a little bit of that continuity of that nervous energy that you kind of build up to get into a series,” Jackson said. “You can lose a little bit of your guard, being on guard from that. So I think that’ll be something we have to be prepared for.”
Bynum ready
Bynum’s injured knee is not improving. But that won’t stop him from playing in Game 2.
“It’s getting a little bit more swollen day in and day out,” Bynum said. “But like I said, the treatment kind of suppresses it and keeps it to a level of where we can handle it.”
Bynum didn’t practice Saturday. He got treatment.
Bynum was unable to put a percentage on how his knee felt.
“It’s good enough to play,” he said. “There’s really no numbers. I’m just going out there and playing very hard. In the beginning of the game, that’s when it’s the worst.”
Let’s get physical
So much has been made about how physical the Lakers were in Game 1.
Now the talk has turned to how physical the Celtics will try to be in Game 2.
Whatever the case, the Lakers say they will be ready.
“I expect the officials are not going to allow this to become more than just basketball,” Fisher said. “They don’t want it to be about technical fouls and flagrant fouls and ejections and suspensions.
“At the same time, they know we’re men. And they know this is the Finals and we’re trying to win the championship. That doesn’t mean we’re going to be playing touch football.”
Bryant’s options
Sometime this summer, after the NBA Finals are over, Bryant said he’ll make a decision about his health issues and about playing for USA in the World Championships.
Bryant has the option of resting his knee right that he had fluid drained out of over a month ago or having surgery.
Bryant played part of the season with an avulsion fracture on his right index finger.
“I haven’t decided,” Bryant said. “I haven’t decided anything. It’s possible I might skip the Worlds, but I haven’t decided. And as for my knee, it’s feeling fine.”
Etc.
Former Lakers assistant Tex Winter was the team’s practice Saturday.
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