Game 7 plan is in Frank Hamblen’s hands
This is it —- Game 7 of the NBA Finals.
The Lakers and the Celtics. The NBA’s two most dominant and historic franchises playing for the right to be named champions.
Both teams know what’s at stake when the Lakers and their hated rival Boston lace up their sneakers for the final time in the 2009-10 season at Staples Center on Thursday night.
“I think our guys know the importance of Game 7,” Lakers assistant coach Frank Hamblen said after the team’s final practice of the season Wednesday. “This will be three times in a row for most of them being in the Finals.
“We lost one [to Boston in 2008], won one [against the Orlando Magic in 2009] and the third one is to be determined.”
Hamblen shook his head and laughed.
He is in charge of putting the Lakers’ final game plan together against the Celtics, and Hamblen was relishing the moment.
The Lakers have played 104 games this season, 22 in the playoffs. The Celtics have played 105 games, 23 in the playoffs.
Now it comes down to one game, winner takes all.
“You don’t really have to give any motivational talks to these guys in this situation,” Hamblen said. “It should be a heck of a game.”
Hamblen outlined some keys to success for the Lakers to win the franchise’s 16th championship, which would put them one behind the Celtics’ record.
Limit turnovers
The Lakers had just 13 turnovers in Game 6, which Boston converted into just seven points. In the Game 5 loss, the Lakers had 14 turnovers that the Celtics turned into 15 points and in the Game 4 loss, the Lakers had 16 turnovers that the Celtics turned into 15 points.
“We need basketball movement,” Hamblen said.
Trench game
This is something Hamblen has harped on the entire series.
In their three wins, the Lakers won the rebounding battle. In all three losses, the Lakers lost the rebound game.
In Game 6, the Lakers outrebounded the Celtics, 52-39. The Lakers had 40 points in the paint, the Celtics 32. The Lakers had 15 second-chance points, the Celtics six.
“We want to have the points-in-the-paint edge,” Hamblen said.
Solid defense
“If we do a good job offensively, we’ll keep them from running as much as they want to run,” Hamblen said.
Boston had just nine fastbreak points in Game 6.
The Lakers limited the Celtics to just 33.3% shooting in Game 6. But in Game 5, the Lakers’ defense was shredded as Boston shot 56.3% from the field.
As for the Celtics, they are dealing with bad news because center Kendrick Perkins is out of Game 7 because of torn medial collateral and posterior cruciate ligaments in his right knee suffered during the first quarter of Game 6.
Either Rasheed Wallace or Glen Davis will start in place of Perkins.
Look for Rajon Rondo to push the pace for the Celtics for easy transition opportunities. Look for Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, Boston’s Big Three, to play at a high level.
“Boston will play better individually and as a team,” Hamblen said. “And we have to play better also.”
Hamblen paused before making one last comment.
“We shall see,” Hamblen said, smiling.
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