After a stellar and emotional performance by he and his Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3, Derek Fisher knew that the Boston Celtics would come out fighting in Game 4.
Boston did just that and after a 96-89 win, the NBA Finals are now tied at two.
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[Boston’s] energy really impacted the game," Derek told reporters after the game. "It was expected and it happened. They fought hard and understood the urgency with which they had to play in this game."Fish said it’s inexcusable for his team to be outworked in an NBA Finals.
"We understood it too. In terms of mindset, mentality and urgency, that was there for us, but we got out of character in the second half in terms of our execution."
He noted that the Lakers played a sloppy fourth, with missed shots and turnovers preventing them from pulling even with the Celtics. Derek finished with six points, a pair of assists, a rebound and a steal.
"For the most part, we were getting some stops in the third and fourth quarter, but offensively we were bad."
According to No. 2, LA’s woes on the offensive half of the court were not just a matter of the Celtics focused defense but could also be attributed to the Lakers themselves.
"Some of it was obviously their defense, but we’re well versed in being able to do things when a team tries to pressure guys coming up the court or deny a pass. We know how to play against all those things. You always have to give your opponent credit when you are out there playing, but at the same time, we were definitely in control of the mistakes that we made."
Despite the errors, Fish said he was proud of how his team tried, but all that means is they are going to have to try harder in Game 5.
"Some of it is just desire and wanting it," Derek said. "I’m not questioning my guys in terms of wanting it, but they beat us to the ball and got to some things quicker than us and those are the things we will have to fix over the next couple of days."
NEXT UP
With Sunday night’s Game 5, the Lakers have the opportunity to send the series back to LA with a 3-2 lead and a chance to close on their home court."Sunday night’s game will be hotly contested, but a lot of fun."
But No. 2 said that in a series like this, it doesn’t matter where the games are played.
"We’re in the NBA Finals. It’s 2-2. Regardless of where the games are, the next team to win two will be the team to win the title."
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Lakers’ 96-89 Game 4 loss to Boston Celtics shows team will be in trouble without Andrew Bynum (LA Times, June 11, 2010)
http://lakersblog.latimes.com/lakersblog/2010/06/lakers-9689-game-4-loss-to-boston-celtics-shows-team-will-be-in-trouble-without-andrew-bynum.html