With Backs Against The Wall, Rondo And Ray Respond, Boston Evens The Series

The Boston Celtics knew they needed to win Game 2 to have a shot in this series. The Lakers knew that if they won Game 2, Boston didn’t have a shot in this series. Simple as that.

Both teams needed this game, but Boston needed it more, and it showed. Ray Allen was magnificent in the first half, Rajon Rondo was brilliant down the stretch in the fourth quarter, and just like that, the NBA Finals is tied 1-1 for the first time since 2004. Ray Allen did his best MJ-impersonation in the first half, shoulder-shrugging his way through a jaw-dropping display, hitting 7-8 three-pointers to carry the offense for Boston. And then, when things got tight in the fourth quarter and everybody expected Kobe to assert himself, it was Rajon Rondo that stole the show.

With the Lakers up three with 5:58 to go, Rondo knifed through the lane for a lay-up. Kobe answered with dead-on fadeaway jumper. On the next possession, another lay-up from Rondo to bring the Celtics within one. Then, another lay-up to put Boston up one. Sensing a theme?

The backbreaker came a few minutes later, when Rondo, infamous for his shaky jumpshot, stepped up to nail a 20-footer to put Boston up five, giving the Celtics control that they’d never relinquish. Game over. The Lakers fought hard ‘till the very end, though. Even after the game had been decided, L.A. was chasing loose balls and attacking, almost saying, “You won this battle, but the war’s not over.”

And the Celtics, challenging every shot and chasing loose balls just the same, said right back: “We know. And we’re ready for a fight.” This is the series we expected the past few weeks.

Now that the Celtics have evened the series, we can say for certain, it’s not over. And with the series headed back to Boston, the intrigue really begins. Can the Lakers respond on the road? And Ray Allen can’t possibly match tonight’s output again, can he? Can the Lakers find a way to contain Rondo, who finished with a triple double Sunday night? All things to talk about.

But most important, with a win tonight, the Celtics ensured we’ll be talking about the NBA Finals for at least the next week. It’s not over by a long shot. The good stuff is just beginning...