The Greatest NBA Comeback Ever
Celtics Comeback to Beat Lakers in Game 4 of the 2008 NBA Finals
Jun 13, 2008
Greatest NBA Comeback
If you were one of the many folks who gave up on the game before it ended, you're not alone. In fact, no one can blame you.
Writeups for the game read more like the Guinness Record Book than a sports story. The Celtics erased the largest first quarter deficit in NBA Finals history (21 points), the largest halftime deficit in the modern shot clock era (18 points), and outscored the Lakers 47-21 to close out the game and earn a 97-91 win.
Those who went to bed missed out on seeing history. Those who stayed up for the amazing comeback probably had trouble getting to sleep after the game. Considering the stage this game was on, and the fact that the Celtics were down 24 on the road, many experts have already dubbed this game the greatest NBA comeback ever.
2008 NBA Finals
More than the historical precedents, the comeback was impressive because of how thoroughly the Celtics dominated the Lakers down the stretch. Boston imposed its defensive will on the Lakers possession after possession, forcing L.A. to turn the ball over or settle for bad shots time and again. "I've never seen the triangle offense shut down like that, ever." ESPN Analyst Jon Barry said after the game.
The Lakers started out the game on fire, building an early lead on the aggressive play of Lamar Odom and the trademark passing that Phil Jackson's teams pride themselves on. But down the stretch Odom disappeared; as did Gasol and the rest of the Lakers' supporting actors, leaving Kobe Bryant on an island, trying to hold on to a diminishing lead in the face of constant double teams.
Paul Pierce, who played 42 minutes in the game, asked Coach Doc Rivers to put him on Bryant in the second half. The move paid off, as Bryant never found his rhythm in the second half.
At the other end of the floor, it was the Laker double teams that freed up Boston's role players to key the Celtics' comeback. Eddie House, James Posey, Leon Powe, and PJ Brown all had important baskets during the 23-3 run that tied the game at 73 with 10 minutes left in the game.
The Lakers got burned by Boston's open shooters so often in the second half, they opted not to double team Ray Allen with 40 seconds left in the game and the Celtics winning by 3. When Allen realized L.A. would not be providing help for Sasha Vujacic, he waved off Kevin Garnett's screen and blew by Vujacic for a left-handed layup that extended the Celtics' lead to 5. The Lakers never scored again.
Celtics vs. Lakers
Paul Pierce and Ray Allen led the way for Boston, scoring 20 and 19 points, respectively. More impressively, Allen played the entire 48 minutes. James Posey added 18 off the bench, shooting 4-8 from behind the 3-point line.
Lamar Odom led the scoring for L.A. with 19 points. Kobe Bryant had a disastrous shooting night, finishing 6-19 with 17 points.
