A casual fan might be forgiven for thinking that the Boston Celtics were destined to lose to the Lakers when, in the space of a few minutes in the second half, Paul Pierce was carried from the court and, not long after, Kendrick Perkins limped to the bench.
But Pierce reappeared, and immediately drew comparisons to Willis Reed's epic return to the lineup against the Lakers in 1970.
It would have been a closer game if Kobe Bryant had shot better than 9-26, but on the other hand, the Lakers didn't appear to have anyone who could guard Kevin Garnett. Garnett didn't shoot much better than Bryant, but when he flashes into the lane, the Lakers are in big trouble.