Final Score: Lakers 89, Celtics 67

Poor defensive efforts in Games 4 and 5 prevented the Lakers from gaining an advantage in the NBA Finals, and allowed Boston to take a 3-2 series lead going into the final two games in Los Angeles. That same Laker defense was the key to a dominant, blowout win in Game 6.

The Lakers held Boston to just 67 points on 33% shooting in Game 6 of the Finals on Tuesday night, on way to a 22-point win on their home floor. From the minute this one tipped off, the Lakers were the aggressors on both ends of the floor.

"I was very happy," said Lakers star Kobe Bryant. "We did a great job defensively. We kept them out of the middle, kept them out of the paint, did a good job on the boards. It was a solid effort by us."

Bryant, who hoisted an average of 28 shots per game over the last three games in Boston, took just 19 shots in this one to score 26 points. He also added 11 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals in an all-around dominant and efficient performance.

Pau Gasol came 1 assist shy of a triple-double, recording a line of 17 points, 13 rebounds, 9 assists, and 3 blocks with just 2 turnovers and 2 fouls. The 7-footer played like a point-forward on certain possessions, driving in the paint to open up lanes for teammates to dish to. He and Kobe were clearly the 2 best players on the floor, something that must continue for the Lakers in Game 7.

In addition to having the 2 best offensive players in the game, L.A. also had the superior team defense.

"Our defense was good, our rebounding was better," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said.

Indeed, the Lakers outrebounded Boston, 52-39. The team who has won the battle of the boards has won EVERY game in this series. It could be a coincidence, but is more likely a direct sign of the more aggressive and physical team. In Game 6, Boston was outhustled, physically handled, and completely outrebounded by the Lakers.

The Celtics just did not come to play in this game. Their preparation and focus was there just like its been in every other game, but there was no sense of desperation from the road team. They went down early in the 1st quarter and never recovered. With a 3-2 lead in the series, some felt that Boston’s best chance to close out the Finals would be in Game 6. Clearly, the Celtics did not sense that same urgency to get it done. They will surely give a 10 times better effort in Game 7.

Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett all took 14 shots from the field and all scored in double figures. But none of them shot better than 50% from the floor, and nobody scored more than 20 points. It was a balanced effort, in a bad way. All 4 Boston stars were equally mediocre in the loss.

The energetic Boston bench was completely outplayed, as well. The Lakers bench outscored Boston’s, 25-13, but it was even worse than that. The Celtics did not get a single point from their bench until early in the 4th quarter. Glen Davis did not score a point in 27 minutes, despite grabbing 9 rebounds and playing with great intensity. Nate Robinson had 6 points on just 2 for 8 from the field. Rasheed Wallace went 0 for 7 and scored 0 points in 17 minutes.

The other main story for the Celtics from this loss is an injury sustained by their center, Kendrick Perkins. Perkins went down with a knee injury in the 1st quarter of this game, and he did not return. The injury looked serious, but is just being called a hyperextension. That type of injury does not keep a player out for too long, but it will likely be enough to keep him out for the only game that counts. Perkins is doubtful to play in Game 7 on Thursday.

Perkins’ injury is obviously a big one, considering he is their starting center and most physical paint defender. He also sets good screens and causes havoc under the basket on the offensive end. However, Boston can make do without him, and will have to. Lakers center Andrew Bynum has been hobbled in this entire series and looked about 40% in Game 6. He had 2 points and 4 rebounds in the game, but L.A. still won by 22. The Celtics will need to use a similar formula to get around the injury to their center.

Game 6 was a disaster for Boston, but they have already put it behind them.

“To me, the game is over," said Rajon Rondo. "We have one game left. They have one game. All or nothing. [Game 6] is in the past."

Game 7 is indeed an all-or-nothing scenario, for both teams. Each team has come a long way to get to this point, and neither will go down without a tremendous fight. Game 7 of the NBA Finals is something we have only seen 4 times in the last 25 years. This one is going to be special.

The Celtics and the Lakers, the two most successful franchises in the history of the league, will battle in an epic Game 7 for the 2010 NBA Championship. Los Angeles will be rocking, and the world will be watching on Thursday night.