Lakers vs. Celtics Game 3: Derek Fisher’s Late Game Heroics Propel Lakers to Win

In a much needed game three victory, with the game on the line, it was Derek Fisher, not Kobe Bryant, who repeatedly stepped up and hit big shot after big shot. Surprised? Not really. As Fisher has shown in each playoffs, he will step up and is not afraid to take the shot. As a four time NBA champion, Fisher knows what it takes to win, and he proved it in Boston. 

Derek Fisher finished with 16 points for the game, with 11 of those coming in the fourth quarter when Boston was creeping back into it. After leading for much of the game, and by 12 at halftime, the Celtics fought back, eventually cutting the deficit to just one point. However, when the Lakers needed to, they answered the call, and never gave the Celtics the lead. Just as champions do, the Lakers took care of business in the clutch. 

What happened to Ray Allen you might ask? Coming off a game in which he set an NBA finals record with seven three pointers in the first half, Allen did the opposite, and could not buy a basket. He finished 0-13, including 0-8 from the three point line, and just two points. He had his chances all game, but his shots simply were not falling. 

For the second straight game, Paul Pierce struggled with his shot, shooting 5-12, while finishing with 15 points. For the Celtics to win an NBA championship, the play of Pierce must pick up. As for Kevin Garnett, he surely did his part, as he finished with 25 points on 11-16 shooting. Unfortunately for him, Pierce and Allen were not on target. 

With the Lakers victory in game three, the pressure is back on the Celtics to tie it back up at two apiece. Hopefully Ray Allen got his nightmare game out of his system, because they will need his hot shooting in game three. As for the Lakers? Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher, each being four time champions know what it takes to win. Game three for Fisher? Just another day at the office. Off to game four. 

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