The two games we lost to Boston in the past six, Kobe was out with the flue and dehidration....and in Sunday's game, out with to many foul calls against him.....asn when he was in, he had to put his hands in his pockets defensively due to playing the whole fourth qtr with 5 fouls.

Keep him on the court, refs, and Lakers win.

Paul

I'm not sure which games you're talking about, Paul. In the regular season at Boston, Bryant hit the game winner with 7 seconds left. And last season, the Lakers won in overtime in Boston, completing a season sweep just days before they did the same thing to Cleveland.

Doc Rivers complains about officiating
The funny thing about this is right after blasting the refs for non-calls, he says he and the players should concentrate on the game.
Anybody want to place bets on whether the league fines him.
I think not, but if it were Phil Jackson or Mark Cuban, NBA Cares would be getting donations.

Ack. Talk about an ugly game. None of them have exactly been thrillers, but ack.
Kudos to Glen "Big Baby" Davis. What a game he played.

The Celtics bench game up big! Glen Davis is quite agile for a big guy. Bynum was limited because of his knee so the Lakers didn't have his shot blocking and big body to match up with Davis.

True. As to Davis, that's why I like him despite his being a Celtic.

Kobe came to play but his team mates were MIA. The Celtics will need to step up their game in L.A. to finish off the Lakers. Phil Jackson needs to know that his team will not be given quarters.

True that. I didn't see much of the game, but when I was able to watch, I saw a stat that was just ridiculous. In the 3rd quarter, Bryant was the only Laker to score in double figures. I don't care what Boston's doing or how the refs are calling the game: That lack of performance is unacceptable.

The mantra all last season for the Lakers huddle was "RING!" May I suggest that just for tonight Phil and Kobe borrow from Pat Riley and preach and live this mantra of Riles: "No REBOUND no RING!" It all comes down to that. Lakers control the boards and I guarantee a game six victory. Boston is not likely to shoot 55% two games in a row-so limiting their second shots and getting a few of our own is key. And amazingly everything else will seem to come much easier than games four and five.

They must rebound better, but I can't help but think some of Boston's extra possessions, especially in Sunday's game, were aided by bad calls or non calls.
I know. It happens a lot. But if they're going to "swallow the whistle" and not call technical fouls against certain players because you don't want that to be a factor in the finals, I don't see how not calling a loose-ball foul is not being a factor.
Specifically, there were two or three plays in the second half where a Laker had a rebound and a Celtic reached and knocked it out of bounds. Every time, the Celtics were awarded the ball. If not an over-the-back foul, it should be out on the Celtics.
I'm only talking about a handful of plays in a game where the Lakers as a group seemed lethargic. But considering they lost only by 6 points, two fewer "extra" possessions for Boston can make a difference.
I'm going to go out on a limb and say the refs make more calls tonight, like in games 1 and 2. The total fouls will be balanced, and the free throws may favor Boston. But the simple fact that they'll call stuff that hasn't been called the last 2 games, will have an impact on how the Celtics play.
Even so, Gasol has to score. Period.
Odom has to score. Period.
Artest has to defend Pierce like he did early in the series.
And the combination of Fisher, Brown and Farmar must score 15.
As to Gasol, he needs to run more. The Lakers should push the ball more, but they won't. Therefore, Gasol needs to get downcourt and establish position before the Boston defense can set. If he gets stuck out on the perimeter, it's over.