Lakers redemption win brings forth Celtics' questions and answers

No victory cigars.

It’s just redemption.

Had the Lakers lost to the Celtics, the likelihood of beating the Celtics would have transpired feedbacks and answers about their chances of winning. Had they lost, the Celtics would have extended their winning streak to 20 straight, and it could have defined the Lakers chances of a championship come June.

With the win, the Lakers made a statement. In the final minutes of the game, the Los Angeles crowd stood and cheered. For the Celtics, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, all seemed a bit forlorn, seeing a 19 game winning streak fade away.

The victory wasn’t an overstatement. The victory was a preview of potentially the finals next summer and it was potentially a chance of hope that the Lakers can beat the Celtics, proving they are contenders, and coveted winning a championship. Still, the Lakers entered with a numb feeling, upset after last season, seeking redemption and revenge over their hated rivals.

Last season, the Celtics embarrassed and demolished the Lakers in the finals to win the championship. Of course, nobody anticipated the Lakers to make it to the finals, but having a surprising season, lead to greater casuals. A victory over the league’s hottest team, attentively beating the Celtics, everyone had to contribute, having to play with consistency and physicality.

For some time, the Lakers have had problems defensively and physically, having insufficiency struggled, disappointing everyone, and losing games they probably could have won if they would have played physically and defensively. After the victory over Boston, the Lakers can kindly put their embarrassing loss behind them, and build confidence moving throughout the season.

When the Lakers get contributions and aggressiveness out of all their players, they look like a team nobody in the league can beat. It seemed the Lakers wanted it more than the Celtics, after outhustling and outplaying their hated rivals. After losing last season, the Lakers were still bitter about their crushing defeat, waiting six-months to restore their probability, ending a joyful run for their long-time rivals.

The Lakers-Celtics rivalry can change our perceptions. If you pick the Celtics to repeat as champions, then you might want to change your picks. After the Lakers dominated the Celtics mentally and physically, they are the team to pick possibly to win the championship this year. It was the first time the Lakers had their entire team at full health, losing Andrew Bynum and Trevor Ariza had a negative impact on their performance last season during the finals.

With the hustle play of Ariza, and the size of Bynum, the Celtics seem to have some trouble matching against the Lakers. In the game, Ariza hustling and defensive strength made an impact on the Lakers meaningful victory. A couple times, Ariza made incredible highlight plays, running down loose balls, and keeping possession by saving the ball inbounds.

With Bynum, it was difficult for Pierce, who destroyed the Lakers last season driving the line, but unable to get his way inside with Bynum standing around. He scored nine points and had two blocks. For the first time, Bynum got a feel playing against the Celtics since returning from knee surgery, an injury that kept him out of action for the second half of last season and the playoffs. The Lakers are taller with his presence, and they are tougher with Ariza, who rundown a lose ball saving it inbounds to give Sasha Vujacic an easy layup in the third.

The problems with the Lakers were their insufficient defensive softness. I think they got the message after beating the Celtics, now grasping a sense of awareness on what it takes to beat the 17 time NBA championships. The Lakers fought hard to a 92-83 victory over the Celtics, a victory they have long-awaited.

The league’s reigning Most Valuable Player Kobe Bryant scored 27 points, but we’re accustom to his strong performance and capabilities to score when ever necessary.

But, the performance of Pau Gasol was impressive. He has been criticize for his softness, but rebounding, hustling and getting a hand in the face of opponents, draws reliance and promise. After scoring seven of his 20 points in the final three minutes, he deserves praise. For once, Gasol performance was physical at a time when it mattered.

Most importantly the Lakers won at a moment, giving everyone respectable answers.

They aren’t as deficient as you think, and now probably adoring the moment after the biggest victory this season. It’s a huge statement, answering everyone, giving a perception on the rest of the season and the Lakers are the answer to everyone’s questions at the moment. Not the Celtics, unless they beat them when it really counts, in the finals.

But, the Lakers beating Boston draws a new suggestion, meanwhile, the Lakers have the advantage over the Celtics.