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Back in Boston. Celtic fans I have talked are a little nervous. Ray Allen could be distracted and tired after a family medical issue, Kendrick Perkins is hurt, Rajon Rondo has been ineffective, Paul Pierce will have to recover from playing 48 minutes last game, Kevin Garnett gets in foul trouble without Kendrick Perkins ... the worries go on and on.

Not to mention the constant worry that comes with competing against Kobe Bryant.

But at the same time, I feel that Bostonians fully expect to be celebrating a title at some point this week, one way or another.

Could be tonight!

Dr. Jack Ramsay, David Thorpe, and Mike Moreau will be here all game long to help us understand what's happening on the court. Looking forward to it.

HENRY ABBOTT: Tip-off is shortly after 9 PM ET. See you then.

DAVID THORPE: DT locked and loaded.

DR. JACK RAMSAY: Things to look for: How aggressive will Pau Gasol be matched up against Kendrick Perkins (who looks healthy)? Gasol must look to score with his back to the basket in close. How will Lamar Odom react to being defended by Garnett? So far he has seemed to be intimidated. How will the Lakers as a team defend the high screen and roll between Paul Pierce and Garnett? They must find a better scheme then they had in Game 5, where by my count Boston scored on 11 out of 18 opportunities. For the Celtics, will Rajon Rondo take advantage of Kobe Bryant's soft defense, and drive it to the basket to score? Kobe gives Rondo a lot of room as he plugs the lane and is the designated double-teamer. Rondo must take advantage of that. Will Garnett step up and be a better scorer than he has been so far in the Finals? Garnett must take it to the basket more, rather than be a perimeter jump-shooter. The last thing: Will the big scorers, Bryant and Pierce, rise to the occasion and have big games? Let's watch and see how it all plays out.

HENRY ABBOTT: Welcome everybody. Getting an early start, as there is plenty to talk about. Good to see you here, Coach Thorpe.

HENRY ABBOTT: A few minutes ago, I shared with Dr. Jack my theory, blogged about earlier, that with players tired, young legs could be a big factor tonight. Dr. Jack said that, for whatever reason, he has found that travel has a bigger effect on young players than veterans. 'Veterans, he says, don't care what time it is, where they are, or any of that. In my experience, they are always ready to play. And the Celtics have more veteran players coming off the bench than do the Lakers. P.J. Brown, Eddie House, James Posey, Sam Cassell ...

DR. JACK RAMSAY: Joey Crawford, Bennett Salvatore, Eddie F. Rush. This game will be well officiated. Joey Crawford will have it under control.

DAVID THORPE: Henry-I think a bigger factor will be Pierce's 48 minutes played Sunday.

HENRY ABBOTT: Was the national anthem on TV? Paula Cole, it turns out, can sing.

MIKE MOREAU: I thought both teams looked dead legged in Game 3, but the Lakers got the emotional lift from the home crowd.  Might be the same in reverse for Boston tonight.  Teams should be able to be at their best in the Finals.  Not having that extra day when the teams travel is absurd.  Should be travel day -- practice day -- game day.

HENRY ABBOTT: This place is full and noisy. Boston is ready to go.

MIKE MOREAU: Boston kept the offensive set on the edges to allow Rondo to split down the middle -- the first of the Kobe the Rover counter moves.

DAVID THORPE: Still-Vlad gets outhustled for a loose ball.  Story of the series.

HENRY ABBOTT: One minute into the game and the crowd is already chanting bulls---.

DR. JACK RAMSAY: Lakers getting to the hoop again, and drawing fouls.

MIKE MOREAU: That's what the Celtics miss when they put Rondo on the bench.  He creates on the defenisve end the way House and Cassell can't

DAVID THORPE: Hate to pick on one guy-but Vlad is petrified.  Had to shoot with 4 on the clock and was open-instead passed to a defended LO.

MIKE MOREAU: Celtics are at full defensive strength with Perkins and Rondo on the floor.

HENRY ABBOTT: In the early going, Rajon Rondo sure seems to be back to the way he played most of the season.

MIKE MOREAU: Doc can live with Rondo's misses on offense because of his value on D as long as he isn't turning it over.

DAVID THORPE: LA more locked in on helpside.  Best I've seen from them.

HENRY ABBOTT: It looks like Kendrick Perkins' shoulder is held together with tape.

HENRY ABBOTT: ... and now Perkins' tape is starting to flap in the breeze. No way that dressing lasts the whole night.

DAVID THORPE: If LO was 6'5, he'd be selling shoes for a living.  If KG was 6'2, he'd be Rajon Rondo.  

HENRY ABBOTT: Kendrick Perkins as large roaming defender is a factor.

MIKE MOREAU: Henry -- how does the Scrap O Meter look so far?

DAVID THORPE: LA surviving on tough shots(Kobe).  This can't last.

DAVID THORPE: Blowout shaping up.

HENRY ABBOTT: Coach Thorpe, what makes you think Lamar Odom has what it takes to make it in competitive world of shoe sales? (Odom fans -- that was a JOKE!)

MIKE MOREAU: Why would Kobe double Perkins?  Just creates rotation problems on the weakside.

MIKE MOREAU: Love the action that Rondo is creating on both ends -- steals, offensive rebounds, drives.  He just makes things happen.

MIKE MOREAU: Odom with no contest, no foul -- nothing.  Just let Allen run right up his chest.

MIKE MOREAU: I stand corrected -- poked him in the eye.

HENRY ABBOTT: I don't know, tough to say Coach Moreau. I'll give the Celtics a 7 on the scrap-o-meter, mostly for Rondo and Perkins being hunters. Lakers maybe a five? As Dr. Jack points out, they're handling the screen and roll with a bit more chutzpah.

MIKE MOREAU: I don't like the Celtics doubling Gasol -- make him play one-on-one.  Don't give him an easy assist out of the triangle.

DAVID THORPE: I'm sure LO apologized for that eye poke.

DAVID THORPE: He'll send flowers and candy tomorrow.

MIKE MOREAU: How about the Celtics have now lost four different starters for portions of games in this series due to injury?  That's got to be a record.

DR. JACK RAMSAY: The Lakers are still giving Rondo room, and he's one of six. Not making them pay. Kobe has 11 of the Lakers' 18. And Paul Pierce still has not scored. The Lakers are defending the pick and roll better. Kobe Bryant has not held the ball, or spent a lot of time dribbling. Kevin Garnett is aggressive offensively, which is significant. Neither Odom n
or Gasol has a field goal.

DAVID THORPE: Every Laker save Kobe just can't match Boston's heart.

MIKE MOREAU: How about if this game is tied in regulation, Pierce and Kobe get 5 drives a piece at each other to win it.  Did you see how hard both guys went to the rim?

HENRY ABBOTT: Ray Allen was poked in the eye. He is expected to return.

DAVID THORPE: That lob was successful because Kobe needed a rest.

MIKE MOREAU: Rondo's value on defense trumps his inability to shoot.  Even his misses on drives draw help and open up offensive rebound chances.  

HENRY ABBOTT: Everyone is standing. It's the end of the first quarter. If they're up now, they just might be up all night.

DR. JACK RAMSAY: Neither team playing particularly well. Good to see Garnett going after some shots for himself. For the Lakers, significant that Odom and Gasol have not scored. But they're doing a much better job on defense. The Lakers must have production from Gasol and Odom if they expect to win this.

MIKE MOREAU: The Lakers best lineup is Farmar, Fisher, Kobe -- their three toughest guys at the 1,2 and 3.  Pau and Odom have to bring it now -- no tomorrow.  Time for Kobe to go to his post up game?

DR. JACK RAMSAY: I would expect that they will post up Paul Pierce soon. Coach Rivers has done that before when he needs to get him going.

DR. JACK RAMSAY: Doc Rivers has four bench guys out there. Phil Jackson has three.

DR. JACK RAMSAY: Terrific defense by James Posey on Kobe Bryant.

DAVID THORPE: Lakers too perimeter oriented.  Need pinch post action and plays at the rim.

MIKE MOREAU: Celtics look like they have 7 defenders

DAVID THORPE: Bad T by Doc?  Needed to save it I think.

MIKE MOREAU: A good referee just lets that one go -- walk away and you don't hear it.

HENRY ABBOTT: The fans are really not believing in the referees at this point. If Boston loses a close one, Joey Crawford won't be popular in Boston for some time. Without instant replay, it's tough for me to judge most of the calls. How do they look at home?

MIKE MOREAU: Powe scored and threw an elbow at Odom at the same time -- beast move!

DR. JACK RAMSAY: Lakers have seven turnovers already, good for nine Celtic points. That's a lot.

DAVID THORPE: Refs are fine as of now.

HENRY ABBOTT: Leon Powe has a touch of the Arvydas Sabonis to his story. You see him do good things, and you wonder what he'd be like without the injuries.

MIKE MOREAU: The Lakers can't keep switching the ballscreen with Pierce -- takes Kobe off of PP and sets up the mismatch.

DAVID THORPE: Great job by Pau of keeping that ball protected the entire drive.  Harder than you'd think.

HENRY ABBOTT: If/when the NBA has one-on-one again at the All-Star break, I want to see Big Baby vs. Ronny Turiaf.

HENRY ABBOTT: If/when the NBA has one-on-one again at the All-Star break, I want to see Big Baby vs. Ronny Turiaf.

MIKE MOREAU: Do you think Posey likes that spot?

DAVID THORPE: Posey-beast.  Sasha-beauty(in his mind anyway).

MIKE MOREAU: Do you think House likes that spot?

DR. JACK RAMSAY: Bench guys! Veteran bench guys!

DAVID THORPE: The rout is building.  Just too hard for LA to score without Mamba showing up.

HENRY ABBOTT: Eddie House is feeling it. He allowed himself a little wiggle after that last shot, then on the dead ball he really got yelling at the crowd. One thing about that guy: He starts his shooting motion as soon as the ball starts heading towards him. Willing shooter.

DR. JACK RAMSAY: Paul Pierce two for nine, but five assists. Celtics outrebounding the Lakers 20 to 12. Also, Lakers have eight turnovers, compared to three for Boston.

DR. JACK RAMSAY: Paul Pierce two for nine, but five assists. Celtics outrebounding the Lakers 20 to 12. Also, Lakers have eight turnovers, compared to three for Boston.

DR. JACK RAMSAY: Kobe Bryant has missed his last five, and that pretty much coincides with the Celtics taking the lead.

MIKE MOREAU: Man Down!  Man Down!  

DR. JACK RAMSAY: Smart play, Eddie House -- he let Fish go after it as it was going out of bounds, instead of contesting it.

HENRY ABBOTT: Tell you what, the Celtics are getting a lot of rest for Ray Allen here. Assuming he makes it back, he should be pretty fresh late in the game.

MIKE MOREAU: Wall O Celts on D!

DR. JACK RAMSAY: James Posey has done a terrific job on Kobe.

MIKE MOREAU: Now the Celtics have 8 defenders

DAVID THORPE: LA unable to raise their intensity level.

DAVID THORPE: LA has an amazing team coming back, but I think they'll be shopping for a 3 this summer.

MIKE MOREAU: How can you be serious about winning a championship if you match Radmanovic on Pierce with the series at stake?

HENRY ABBOTT: First time this has ever happened to me at a non-Blazer game ... as Eddie House was coming out, I almost started clapping. A big no no on press row. But that dude just played his heart out. Celtics +12 with House in the game.

HENRY ABBOTT: It's defensive three seconds game.

MIKE MOREAU: Odom trying to mix it up with KG in the backcourt - 5 games too late.

HENRY ABBOTT: Pau Gasol is doing what people have been wanting him to do on offense. And Odom is getting a little chippy with Garnett, which surely the Lakers must like.

HENRY ABBOTT: Pau Gasol is doing what people have been wanting him to do on offense. And Odom is getting a little chippy with Garnett, which surely the Lakers must like.

DR. JACK RAMSAY: 15-8 Lakers bench is outscored by Celtics bench. Nine Laker turnovers have led to 15 Boston points. Boston has three turnovers, for four points. That's an 11-point difference, in a 13-point game.

DAVID THORPE: The game is in the balance right now.  Can LA hang in until half?

HENRY ABBOTT: That last Celtic possession featured a zillion passes, then a turnover, just about the time some guy to my left yelled SHOOT IT! At some point, you have to shoot it.

MIKE MOREAU: The difference between these two teams is the Lakers cann
ot defend their way back into the game.

MIKE MOREAU: The return of Rajon Rondo!

DAVID THORPE: Goodnight LA, thanks to that KG shot.  Awesome.

MIKE MOREAU: How do you like that overhand finish, Coach Thorpe?  Let's teach that one tomorrow!

MIKE MOREAU: Just trust the Triangle...

DAVID THORPE: This game has a better chance to get to 40 points than becoming a close game.  LA still feeling Boston out while Boston is throwing haymaker after haymaker.

HENRY ABBOTT: Kobe Bryant started the game on fire, hitting four of five shots. In the second quarter, he took six shots, and missed them all.

MIKE MOREAU: Making sure the bus driver has directions to the airport.

DAVID THORPE: Kobe's shot quality has been low-as we noted early on.  He's not Superman.  It was only a matter of time before he started missing.

DR. JACK RAMSAY: All the things we talked about that had to happen for the Lakers ... didn't happen. Odom and Gasol are two for nine. The bench has two field goals. The team has 11 turnovers. They are outrebounded by 12. KG has as many field goals as the entire Laker roster -- they both have eight. The Lakers don't have an offensive rebound. Posey has been tremendous. He hit both of his threes, and played Bryant one-on-one so they didn't have to double. Glen Davis didn't give Pau Gasol much to work with. Derek Fisher has not been a factor. Paul Pierce has 10 points and nine assists. As a coach, I'm never thrilled when my best scorer hits threes very early. They tend to stay in that game mode, but the makes don't continue. If I'm Phil Jackson at halftime, I'm telling my team to hang in there, and whittle away at the lead. I'd ask for more ball movement. Many times, Kobe Bryant tried to make plays, and was denied. Then, instead of swinging it around and working the system, he backed out and got the ball a second time to try again. That way, nobody moves. Everyone is standing around.

MIKE MOREAU: The return of Perkins and Rondo to the Celtics defense cannot be overstated -- they are the defensive difference makers tonight.

MIKE MOREAU: Let's not teach that foul line finger roll tomorrow, Coach Thorpe.

MIKE MOREAU: Lakers need far more Farmar if they are going to trap and press.

DAVID THORPE: zzzzzz(sound of a laker fan)(or a Laker player)

MIKE MOREAU: I like the fact that Boston keeps pushing and attacking - not sitting on the lead.

DAVID THORPE: Incredible that the Hawks and Cavs put up a better fight.

HENRY ABBOTT: The Celtics didn't even have to run or jump to get that offensive rebound.

HENRY ABBOTT: Kobe Bryant just brought the double to Pau Gasol, and it almost cost Los Angeles the possession.

DAVID THORPE: Still just one Laker in double figures.

DAVID THORPE: And no Laker has even one offensive rebound.

HENRY ABBOTT: One thing I was just sure we'd see in this game was a ton of scoring from Kobe Bryant and Paul Pierce. Those guys, together, are shooting eight of 24, for a modest 28 combined points.

DAVID THORPE: I actually feel like if the coaching staffs were switched, LA would be winning.  Doc and co. have kicked Mr. Nine Rings up and down the floor.

DR. JACK RAMSAY: The Lakers haven't done anything to change the game. The Celtics are just taking their time to play through it. They have good poise and patience, but they are not being tentative. They are getting good shots. The Lakers have given up 21 points via turnovers. The Celtics have given up five. It turns out that the Celtics are, apparently, the better team. I didn't think that they were before the series began. But they have played with a lot more poise and intensity. The Lakers have really fallen short in both of those.

DAVID THORPE: Last year I felt Mike Brown did a great job of getting his guys ready to fight for a win, but failed deeply on the strategy front.  This year I feel like Uncle Phil failed in both areas.  Amazing.

MIKE MOREAU: It's Chris Mihm time...

HENRY ABBOTT: Remember how Pau Gasol was the perfect big man for Kobe and the triangle? I wonder if Bryant's conviction in that regard has wavered. And if so, I wonder what that means for the long-term.

DAVID THORPE: I just got an email asking me how I foresaw a blowout for Boston earlier in trhe game when the Lakers were winning?  Easy-we could see how tough it was for LA to get shots and how easy it was for Boston after the first 5 minutes.  Also-I saw no change in LA's ability to outfight Boston.

DAVID THORPE: Bynum is a great answer, making PG available for a trade?

HENRY ABBOTT: I'd like to see a highlight reel from this game of Rajon Rondo hunting rebounds, loose balls, steals, strips, and the like. That part of his game is a total constant tonight, and I don't know why more guards couldn't have his mentality. Jumper or no, that guy is bringing a lot tonight.

DAVID THORPE: I know they want to play both guys though...

DAVID THORPE: Jackson should be throwing in the towel soon.

MIKE MOREAU: Go back and read our Game 6 preview, Henry - Rondo is making us look like geniuses!

HENRY ABBOTT: Coach Thorpe, how about they trade Gasol for some first-round draft picks, a young athlete like Javaris Crittenton, and a big expiring contract like Kwame Brown? I'm half-joking, but that has to be in the ballpark of what you get for him, which I'm sure Memphis GM Chris Wallace would love to point out.

DAVID THORPE: He's still a very special player, and shoulod learn a lot from this humiliation.  But the Lakers have a bigger hole to fill.

MIKE MOREAU: It would be fun to see Kobe refuse to come out of the game and lead a late charge with Farmar and the youngsters.

HENRY ABBOTT: Lakers have 17 fewer field goal attempts than the Celtics. The 14 turnovers reek.

MIKE MOREAU: I hate this Lakers lineup.

HENRY ABBOTT: Wow. P.J. Brown just pulled ... out ... the ... chair from under Pau Gasol. Veteran trickery.

DAVID THORPE: How is it that the Lakers take this kind of beating and no one commits a hard foul?

MIKE MOREAU: Western Conference - Eastern Conference

MIKE MOREAU: Western Conference - Eastern Conference

HENRY ABBOTT: Coach Moreau, from his preview: Rivers must make some key decisions about his use of Rajon Rondo in Game 6. Rondo has been the quarterback of the NBA's best team all season, but Jackson has effectively put the Celtics point guard on the bench for much of the series by using Kobe Bryant as his prim
ary defender and roving off Rondo to trap, help and clog up the middle. Rivers' countermove to Jackson's has been to play Eddie House and Sam Cassell extended minutes. Both have provided scoring and perimeter shooting, which has helped the Celtics get the one win they needed on the road in Game 4 and almost close out the Lakers in Game 5. However, neither player can provide the speed, dribble penetration and creation for others that Rondo can on the offensive end. House and Cassell also struggled against full-court pressure, which can be expected from the Lakers in Game 6. More important for Boston, neither House nor Cassell is anywhere close to the defender Rondo is. Defensively, Rondo gives the Celtics ball-hawking man-to-man pressure as well as steals, deflections, rebounds and just the creation of general havoc. With Farmar playing an extended role for the Lakers and hurting Boston with dribble penetration, look for Rondo to play more minutes in Game 6 to give the Celtics back some of their defensive pressure.

MIKE MOREAU: Rondo might be tonight's MVP!

HENRY ABBOTT: Anybody see Tony Allen on that last play? Pau Gasol and he were back to back. He bent his knees, got Gasol's weight on his back, and then just carried him like that out of the play. That got laughs on the Celtic bench, and a high-five from KG.

DR. JACK RAMSAY: Very important that Kendrick Perkins was able to play: Lamar Odom does not like playing against Kevin Garnett. Odom has zero field goals. Kobe Bryant has 22 points, but it's an insignificant 22, on seven for 19 shooting. Bryant has zero assists. And the Laker bench did not score in the third period.

DAVID THORPE: Thorpe, from his pre-game preview:But if the Lakers can put together their best performance of the season, considering their immense talent, we likely will see a Game 7.They ended up playing their worst game of the season, quite literally.  

DAVID THORPE: LO still as soft as ever.  Double pumping instead of exploding up.

MIKE MOREAU: Coach Thorpe - I'm with you on this one.  Chief Nine Rings should give one back.  

HENRY ABBOTT: Thorpe might be tonight's Most Valuable Comedian.

HENRY ABBOTT: Rajon Rondo needs just one more steal to tie a Finals record.

DAVID THORPE: I accept that award on behalf of Batgirl.

HENRY ABBOTT: Dr. Jack Ramsay says Paul Pierce would get his vote as Finals MVP.

DAVID THORPE: The only person happier than Boston fans and players is Shaq.

MIKE MOREAU: No malice there from Farmar -- just a dumb play.

DAVID THORPE: My MVP for Boston is Paul Pierce too.

DAVID THORPE: The biggest problem for LA:  too many candidates to choose Catwoman from.  

MIKE MOREAU: My MVP is Doc Rivers.  Anything less than a championship and he would have been ripped as a failure.  He felt that pressure from the first day of training camp.  

DAVID THORPE: That's it for me.  What an honor this has been for me.  Thanks Henry and Mike and Dr. Jack.  Congrats Boston!!  So well deserved.  And my favorites for next season.  

MIKE MOREAU: Lakers really need to get a hand up on #20.

MIKE MOREAU: Thorpe -- you are such a Laker homer!

HENRY ABBOTT: Wow. Phil Jackson is actually using this timeout to draw up a play? Isn't this about lifting spirits at this point? The Laker players were SILENT throughout that timeout. Coaches, for the most part too. Phil just wrote on his clipboard. Then, just before the buzzer, he showed them a play ... and it didn't work.

MIKE MOREAU: C'mon Kobe -- lead the young guys on a charge!

HENRY ABBOTT: Biggest win ever, in a title-clinching game, is 33 points. Per ESPN research, that was the 1965 Celtics, over the Lakers. These Celtics hanging around that mark, although there's a lot of time left.

MIKE MOREAU: Phil Jackson needs to step up and take the responsibility off his young team for this. They didn't play any worse than he and his staff coached.

HENRY ABBOTT: Loud. Loud. Loud. Reverberating in my chest it's so loud.

HENRY ABBOTT: Scot Pollard and Brian Scalabrine just left for the locker room. Guess they're going to start the party early, or else hide everyone's valuables from the oncoming champagne onslaught. You know Mike Zarren? Stat wizard, lifelong Celtics fan, and Danny Ainge's right-hand man? I can see him down on the floor, in the corner. He can't stop jumping up and down. I talked to him earlier, and he has had umpteen 20-hour days lately. Big night for him. Not jumping up and down, and sitting in the front row (just behind Jeff Van Gundy) is Dr. Jerry Buss.

MIKE MOREAU: I'll take the advice of the fans.  Henry, David, Dr. Jack - it was a privilege being a part of this with you.  Thank you for the opportunity.  We'll be on the court in the morning getting some young NBA hopefuls ready for summer league. Next season starts tomorrow!

HENRY ABBOTT: Some kind of super hug going on between Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Danny Ainge. Paul Pierce was dancing on the table, but KG kind of cleverly got him down with that hug.

HENRY ABBOTT: Challenge: finishing the game, with the party already happening around the Celtic bench.

HENRY ABBOTT: This has been a fun ride, ending with Paul Pierce dumping a bucket of red Gatorade over Doc Rivers. Phil Jackson, no joke, is STILL drawing stuff on his clipboard. Everyone reading, Coach Moreau, Coach Thorpe, Coach Ramsay ... thanks so much for your time and smarts. Been a blast and an honor for me.