Celtics conjure visions of '69

MANILA, Philippines - It won’t be easy beating Los Angeles in Game 7 of the NBA Finals tomorrow morning (Manila time) at the Staples Center but Boston is determined to defy the odds, drawing inspiration from the Celtics who upset the Lakers under similar circumstances in 1969.

“There remains hope for one more parade, that this proud team can reconstitute the breathtaking 1969 farewell of Bill Russell when he led his elderly Celtics to a Game 7 Finals upset of the Lakers,” said Ian Thomsen of Sports Illustrated. “Can today’s Celtics summon that resolve?”

Boston general manager Danny Ainge is confident the Men In Green can get the job done.

“They’ve had it through most of their careers,” he said. “I know what’s inside our guys and that gives me comfort.”

In 1969, Boston beat the Lakers, 108-106, in Game 7 to clinch the championship in L.A. The Lakers had a 3-2 series lead then Boston swept the last two meetings, 99-90 at home and the two-point decision on the road. The NBA still used the 2-2-1-1-1 format in the Finals and it wasn’t until 1985 when the 2-3-2 hosting set-up was instituted. In a way, it was a more difficult route for the Celtics to win in 1969 as they came back from a 2-3 deficit. But one of the two wins they salvaged down the stretch came at home.

Red Auerbach was the Celtics coach in ‘69 and his players included Russell, Sam Jones, Satch Sanders, Bailey Howell, Em Bryant, Don Chaney, John Havlicek and Larry Siegfried. The Lakers were powered by the legendary trio of Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain and Elgin Baylor.

In 63 previous Finals, only 16 went the seven-game distance with three won by the road team. That’s about a 20 percent chance for Boston to beat L.A. in Game 7 tomorrow morning. The Celtics’ consolation is Boston won two of the three series that were clinched on hostile territory. Boston did it first in 1969 then the Celtics defeated Milwaukee, 102-87, on the road in Game 7 to bag the 1974 crown and Washington beat the SuperSonics, 105-99, in Seattle in Game 7 to snatch the 1978 championship.

If Boston wins the title this season, it’ll be the first Finals series won by a road team since the 2-3-2 format was employed.

Whether or not Kendrick Perkins will play for the Celtics in Game 7 is a major factor. His interior presence is key to Boston’s defense. He matches up comfortably against either Andrew Bynum or Pau Gasol, using his size and attitude to assert himself. Perkins also provides excellent help under the basket, providing secondary defense against penetrators. It’s no secret that Boston’s formula for success in the Finals is anchored on defense. Without Perkins, the Celtics are vulnerable in the paint and it showed in Game 6 where the Lakers frolicked in the shaded area, scoring 40 points to Boston’s 32. In Games 4 and 5, the Celtics had more points in the paint, 54-34 and 46-32, parlaying the edge to win, 96-89 and 92-86.

The Lakers are all pumped up to celebrate in Game 7. Coach Phil Jackson has a habit of winning three titles in a row. He carved out hat-tricks twice with the Chicago Bulls in 1991-93 and 1996-98 and the Lakers in 2000-02. If the Lakers take Game 7, it’ll be two straight for Jackson and he’ll surely go for another grand slam next season.

Several factors will decide the outcome in Game 7 – rebounding, bench firepower, the Celtics’ ability to goad Kobe Bryant into trying to win the title singlehandedly, the mid-game adjustments in matchups, the homecourt advantage and the will to win.

Boston coach Doc Rivers experimented with unusual combinations down the stretch in Game 6 when the outcome had been settled. He used Tony Allen at point guard and played Rondo and Nate Robinson together in the backcourt, raising eyebrows as to the logic of the exercise. Was he just trying to confuse the Lakers? Obviously, in Game 7, the starters will play extended minutes because there is no tomorrow. It’s do or die for both the Celtics and Lakers as they decide which team gets to pop open the bubbly when the smoke of battle finally clears.