Celtics-Lakers, Game 2: Four Differences Between Game 1 And Game 2

Rajon Rondo/Ball Movement: If we're ranking the importance of individual performances in Game 2, Ray and Rondo probably tie, seeing as Rondo did his triple-double thing, finishing the game with 19 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. Overall, Rondo did a much better job of controlling the game's tempo and taking advantage of fast break opportunities. While at times he tried to do too much early on, such as attempting to finish every fast break by himself no matter how many Lakers stood in front of him, he eventually settled into a groove and began finding his teammates (Ray Allen in particular). Rondo didn't necessarily go looking for all of his 19 points last night, as he took advantage of either slick cuts to the basket or open spots along the wing (jump shot with 1:50 to play, I'm talking about you). One of his most important plays came with 3:21 to play as he snagged a shot of Perk's that was swatted by Gasol and laid it back in, giving Boston a 91-90 lead. It was his second straight bucket and the third and fourth points of a pivotal 8-0 run, which eventually found Boston up 97-90 with 1:12 remaining.

Rondo put up respectable numbers in Game 1 (13 points, six rebounds, eight assists), but was undoubtedly more aggressive in Game 2, and as mentioned before, did a much better job on controlling the tempo and the overall flow of his team's offense. It is possible in the NBA to post decent numbers but not actually have that much of an impact on the game. Such was the case for Rondo in Game 1, but he rectified the issue in Game 2.

Rondo recorded just two more assists compared to his Game 1 total, but the team's ball movement overall was much improved. Kevin Garnett didn't play a whole lot better compared to Game 1, but he did manage to hand out six assists, and Paul Pierce contributed four as well. On top of that, Ray and Perk combined for five total assists. Overall, the team generated 28 helpers (just 19 in Game 1) and knocked down 36 baskets (29 in Game 1), which means 77.7 percent of Boston's field goals last night were assisted. Seven of Ray's eight three-pointers were assisted, with five of them coming from the hands of Rondo.