Through three games, the NBA Finals have been about the X-factor. Three games, three different players making an impact for his team, which, without his production, would have likely been on the losing end. Not surprisingly, these fellas are no strangers to carrying their teams to playoff wins; they're consistent performers - no Dante Halls in this mix (pause for reflective, "Ohhh yea, I remember that guy").
Game 1 it was Kobe; he blew up the Celts D and left them too awestruck to generate any offensive or defensive rhythm. Game 2’s X was of course three-baller Ray Allen. The Celtics needed all of his eight record-breaking threes and eight additional points to pull away from the Lakers, who kept things close until a fourth-quarter meltdown.
Tonight’s X-factor? Veteran playoff X-factor Derek Fisher. In a game during which the Lakers somehow built a 17-point lead as quickly as the Celtics shaved it down, Fisher was the difference in the critical fourth quarter. In the quarter, Gasol sank a couple clutch shots and Kobe made a few hustle plays, but Fisher’s 11 points and key defensive board with the Lakers clinging to a 4-point lead with 53 seconds left solidified the win.
Who'll step up in Game 4? Boston needs it to be someone in green and white to stay in the series.
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