Game 4: Celtics bench finest hour

Since 1984, Game 4 has been the defining moment of each series between these two bitter rivals. It has brought out the good, the bad, the ugly and at times greatness in each of these two teams. We have seen countless moments that become ingrained in our memories from years to come from the Junior Sky Hook by Magic Johnson to the dramatic layup by Ray Allen that sealed a dramatic 25 point comeback just 2 years before.

In fact, Game 4 has been the turning point for classic moments that have defined each series. It has defined the players and coaches careers in this game. Some rise to the occasion while others are left to pick up the pieces. Even, the fans lucky to be at the game are witnesses to that one moment in time that they will tell their children and grandchildren for many years to come. The fans watching will also remember where they were when they witnessed a moment of absolute greatness. Will it be a Laker or a Celtic who rose to the occasion? Heck, will it be the team itself that rose to the occasion?

Tonight, we can confidently say that it was Celtics bench that rose to the occasion and may have saved their season and probably the championship with a 96-89 victory. They rose to the occasion and were aggressive. They were mean, confident and constantly mugging the Lakers as if they were an old lady in a dark alley. They were led by Glen Big Baby Davis and the Little Giant (Nate Robinson) who were 1-2 punch that sent the Lakers spinning and the Celtics fans' in a euphoria of ecstasy.

Glen Davis scored 21 points and had 6 rebounds. He abused Lamar Odom and took it right to him again and again. It was something the Celtics continued to do as they shoved 6'9 and 290 pounds brick-house into the Lakers throats. He was active and was hungry for more. Did I forget to mention that he is paid 3 million a year. Quite a bargain. Considering that he is playoff tested and can hit a big shot. Don't believe me? Watch this clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oJWDMd9KTI.

Nate Robinson also was instrumental as he made clutch shot after clutch shot. He came up with timely baskets at a time when the Celtic offense was stalling. He made 2 three pointers that set the tone for his 12 point performance tonight. He ran the Lakers ragged and did something neither Lakers did make his technical foul free throws. Together, the Big Baby and Little Giant dynamic duo made the Lakers cower in their presence. They were Batman and Robin in this game sending a bunch of pow, boom, kapow and slam to the Laker team. I wonder if we shall see the same on Sunday?

The Celtics bench outscored the Lakers window dressing of a bench 23-6 in the Second half after it was relatively even in the 1st half. They were the catalyst for the 36-27 Fourth Quarter barrage that was the difference in this game. They out-rebounded the Lakers 41-34 and were active in the paint. Much like Game 3, they shoved them around like a bunch of rag dolls as Andrew Bynum's sore knees could only watch. It may explain why the Celtics had 54-34 edge in the paint. Bottom line: The Celtics intimidated the Lakers the same way they did in 2008 where they beat them like a red-headed step child.

It was riveting for Celtic fans while for Lakers fans it felt like watching an old horror movie knowing full well how it all ends: Celtics throttled the Lakers. Celtics made the big plays and refused to go down, which is in their DNA. None bigger than the steal by the savvy Rajon Rondo who stole Kobe's pass and scored the back breaking lay-up. The Celtics are a team that since Game 4 of the Cavs series have never given up and get seemingly stronger every time they face adversity. It's a team that has shown championship poise again and again. Yet, it remains to be seen for the Lakers.

As for the Lakers, it was game for the taking and they let it slip away. In fact, they were up by 5 early in the third quarter and the Celtics were missing shots. It was a time that they could have gone for the kill but could not execute. They could not corral the big rebounds when they had to nor the defensive stops in the final minutes. Now, they are tied 2-2 heading into an another war of attrition at the TD Garden.

Kobe Bryant had his usual great game. Yet, it felt like he was one man army facing a sea of green. He was the only guy that went to make shots and his teammates were nowhere to be found except for the occassional Gasol basket or blind squirrel finds a nut basket by Ron Artest. The Celtics made him a scorer and his teammates as life size mannequins.

Pau Gasol had 21 and 6. Yet, it feels more like sizzle than meat because he was virtually invisible in the final moments. They rarely got him the ball at all as he was neutralized by the crazy basketball savant that is Rasheed Wallace. He got to the line 10 times early but never walked to the free throw line in the final quarter.

Ron Artest and Derek Fisher were helpless as they were just bystanders in a game where their contribution was needed but lacking. They were nowhere to be found except for the occasional basket or for something else such as when Artest was torched like a Christmas tree by Paul Pierce in the first half.

Andrew Bynum was mostly invisible as the pain of his knees hindered his movement. He was there for 12 minutes with just a basket and 3 rebounds. In a sense, the Lakers and the City of Los Angeles championship hopes rests on the health of Bynum's knee. Not a good sign, considering his history.

As for the rest of the Lakers' bench they were once again outplayed by the Celtics bench. Unfortunately, they saw limited action and demonstrates how little faith Phil Jackson has for his bench. They were outscored 36-18 and need to step up. Lamar had 10 points but was routinely abused and mugged by Glen Big Baby Davis time after time. In fact, Lamar needs to be sent to spend this summer training with Russian Army or with the Marines. He was passive and looked like a sissy in purple and gold.

Heading into game 5, the Lakers need to set the tempo early on. They need to stand up to the Celtic bully by sending the tough guy tactic right back at their faces and showing the championship poise they earned just the year before. Kobe needs to get his teammates involved early and often. He also needs to attack the rim with reckless abandon and someone also needs to keep the Celtics honest whenever they make Kobe try to win the game by himself. In addition, the Laker big men need to stand tall and take it to the Celtics the same way Daniel-San took it to the bullies in the original Karate Kid. Finally, they better hope that the training staff will work miracles on Bynum's knees before Sunday. In other words, divine intervention from the heavenly deity from above.

As for the Celtics, they need to ride Glen Davis and Nate Robinson like a hot hand in Vegas. The fans and the team need to continue becoming one major force on Sunday. Ray Allen and Paul Pierce will need to find ways to get their shots off. Rondo needs to push the ball and continue to pester the Laker bigs for rebounds. Kevin Garnett has to take it to Gasol inside and often. The Celtics must continue to intimidate the Lakers until they can demonstrate that they can counter by punching back with equal force. Heading into Sunday, we shall see which of these battle tested teams will have the inside track of what has been a roller coaster of a series.