It's crystal clear who the favorites are in this series. It's so clear it would put ProActiv out of business. 38-10 free throw disparity! What?! Unbelievable!! Ludicrous!!! No f'n way!!!! There are so many adjectives to explain the refereeing in last night's game I had to pull out a thesaurus just to count how many there actually were. But wait Boston fans and Laker haters.... just before you even think that  I am going to blame the zebras for this one, you should already know me better. No excuses, baby. The Lakers are getting roughed up like a Mexican fighter going heads up with Manny Pacquiao.

Put simply, the Lakers' mentals are not into this series.... yet, and this is why they dropped the first two games. Boston has played with a purpose to win at all costs, while L.A. is standing around waiting for something to happen. This better change. The Lakers need to forget about the refs and limit Vladimir Radmanovic to about 15 minutes a game and use him stirctly for game situations in which you desperately need threes. Like only when they're down 20 points. As far as I'm concerned, Coach Phil Jackson needs to insert Trevor Ariza into the starting lineup (he did during the regular season so why not now?) immediately for the Lakers to have a chance to gain any semblance of momentun in this series.

The Celtics have a great mix of players. But it's they're toughness, both mentally and physically, and their resolve is what allows them to be dominant. It doesn't surprise me one bit. In fact, it shouldn't surprise anybody. They've been doing this all season long.

Two of their starters, Kendrick Perkins and Rajon Rondo are talented young players who are key components to what they're trying to build. They are playing exceptional in these playoffs and what allows them to play at a higher level than most second-year players is the constant leadership and guidance they are receiving from the Big Three while being out there on the floor. The finished product that we are witnessing now are two sophomores with unbelievable composure. That's why Rondo's held his own against Derek Fisher, and that's why Perkins doesn't seem to be bothered by either Pau Gasol or Lamar Odom.

And when you bring into the game poised veterans like James Posey, Sam Cassell, and P.J. Brown, you better believe that more often than not the team will maintain its execution and level of play. On the other hand, my Lakers' famed Bench Mob has not lived up to the hype, obviously playing in slow motion as they continue to shows signs of being intimidated and their inactivity has caused them to be extremely tentative.

On the other hand, the relentless Leon Powe scored at will and did major damage to the Lakers' interior defense with his wide array of post moves and athletic ability to get out in transition, run the lane and finish. Sam Cassell was, well, Sam. Brown has been stready in two games, hitting the open midrange shot when it's there and constantly positioning himself to get offensive rebounds to help his team get second chances. Posey is playing solid defense on anyone he's assigned to guard, including Bryant, and he's coming through and hitting timely three-pointers. All in all, it's an all-out Celtic demolition.

The combination of athleticism, depth, and versatility that the Celtics have shown in these two games is the same balance the Lakers exhibited all year and allowed them to win the west. The Celtics are giving the Lakers a taste of their own medicine. In fact, one might even speculate and think that the reason Pierce pulled off his acting stunt was to take a shot at Bryant who, in the Utah series, appeared to hurt his back only to recover so quickly. Of course, Bryant and the Lakers lost that game in overtime as Kobe seemed to lose track at the end there a little bit. But with Pierce, Boston won. I don't know... I was just thinkin.'

And in Game Two, with all those highlight reel plays, it almost looked as if Showtime was wearing Celtic green. I never thought I would see it but,  the Celtics were running the Lakers to the ground like Magic, Kareem, and Worthy used to do to their opponents. Boston did their job and now the Lakers have to answer back.

Now the Lakers are in trouble. Just kidding. Not even panic time yet. Not even close. For those Celtic fans thinking sweep... if a series were two games long, the Boston Red Sox don't beat the Yankees. And if they stopped after two games, the New England Patriots would have won the Super Bowl. This thing is far from over folks. It's Boston's turn to be on the road and deal with all that hoopla, the hype, and all the possible distractions brought on by what we know as Hollywood.

Although most people in the East Coast are now probably talkin' sweep, it's probably best that they refrain from being too overconfident. The Lakers haven't played their game yet. Whether or not it's the result of the stifling Celtics defense or Kobe Bryant's reluctance to get off to fast starts or the absence of certain role players stepping up, I really can't pinpoint  the exact answer. You be the judge. But I do know this, the problem involves all three of those issues. And the only way for the Lakers to get back in the series is for them to bring their heads into the game if you know what I mean.

Time for the Lakers to solve the riddle that is the Celtics' defense

A lot of people are convinced about the supposed eternal greatness of this Celtics' defense and rightfully so. But I'm not. Not yet at least. Yes, they're tough, solid, determined, and confident but it's not like the Lakers are playing the Bad Boys, folks. It's not like it's Bird, Parish, and McHale out there on the floor with DJ and Danny. The Lakers have to assert their will and stop worrying about the officials. They have to play physical man-to-man defense off the ball as Rick Fox mentioned. They have to stop reaching in on defense and move their feet. They need to beat their opponents to the ball on the boards and make the hustle plays. They need to force the contact as opposed to trying to draw the contact. Most of all, they have to develop their identity against Boston and establish themselves. They have to do all of these things in Game Three because it is in their absolute benefit to do so. We all know zebras, er officials, have a way with turning the tide and influencing the dramatic aspect of the series.

For two games the Lakers tried to solve their defense to no avail. And after two games, the Lakers now have a chance to really assess the situation. What will L.A. have to do to penetrate that defense and establish themselves?

Kobe needs to be setting the pace from the getgo. And the only way for him to do this is play like he's the best damn basketball player on the planet period. It's as simple as that. Assert yourself early Mr. Bryant, stop looking at the refs, attack the boards even more, and dunk on some fools. Attack, attack, and attack the teeth of that defense. With absolutely NO REGARD FOR HUMAN LIFE. Seriously. Dunk on all of 'em. Take it to the rack. Jump over people. Fly through the lane. Do what's gotta be done because after all, isn't that what Kobe is supposed to do?

With this mindset, Kobe doesn't have to worry about the shots because they will go down eventually. His teammates, like they have all season, will follow his lead and slowly develop confidence and a killer instinct mindset. It's all psychological, because the talent on both teams is so good. In a series like this, it's the mental aspect of the game that separates the winner from the loser. It's the ability to play through adversity and the will to overcome the toughest of challenges that separates first place from second. And for the Lakers, it starts with Kobe and it better start now.

Another adjustment the Lakers can make is in their defense, obviously. It was clear in the Detroit series that there were spurts in which the Celtics had a difficult time handling the Pistons' half court trap defense. The Lakers employed some of this in the fourth quarter of Game Two and it seemed to bother Boston a little bit. It was instrumental in their comeback, and the Lakers can certainly take some positive signs out of this heading into Tuesday's game.

The reason the Celtics have effectively disrupted and interrupted the triange offense and the Lakers' ball movement is because Lakers' players are taking to long to read and react. The Celtics' defenders are just as long and agile as the Lakers' players and its causing the Lakers to appear as if they're running the offense in slow motion. They can't seem to get anything going, as far as inside-out play is concerned. Above all, they're doing a phenomenal job harrassing and confusing Kobe by sending a variety of defenders at him from all directions. So what can L.A. do to break this down?

Although it all starts with Kobe, the player who's got to get it going big time is Lamar Odom. Phil said he looked "confused" but added "we'll get it together." The way he's going to do this is to involve him in set plays down in the post early on. Lamar has to be ready to be in attack mode at all times, a characteristic he hasn't always brought consistently.  

And then there's Pau, and the big question as to how on God's green earth is he going to neutralize Kevin Garnett. Boston fans will say it's impossible. I say Kobe and Pau go pick-n-roll 75% of the time on offense and make KG have to think about where Gasol is on the floor. The idea here is to have the Lakers' two best offensive players in action at the forefront and have everything else develop from it. At the same time, if Pierce is guarding Kobe and Pau is being guarded by KG, there's more of a chance that the Celtics' two best defenders may be in foul trouble. The Lakers cannot get away from their weapons. Right now, the Celtics are comfortable defending the Lakers. Screen-n-roll plays with Kobe/Pau and Kobe/Odom extends the floor for the Lakers on offense and brings the Celtics' big men out of the paint. Once L.A. get some momentum from this adjustment, it will open up opportunities for shooters like Vujacic, Farmar, Fisher, and the space cadet to inflict damage and make the Celtics pay. The Lakers already know that Kobe will be doubled no matter what. Now they have to use this to their advantage.

A major reason why Boston has felt so comfortable playing against the Lakers and why they're 10 points better than L.A. is point guard Rajon Rondo, who is outplaying Derek Fisher so far. Rondo's ability to get into the lane to create havoc and make defenders think is opening up his teammates for easier opportunities. Offensively, he spreads the floor with his quickness, and Fisher's ineffectiveness on offense has allowed Rondo to roam freely defensively and intercept passing lanes while playing solid help defense all at the same time. Rondo has performed the job of floor general quite well as he is spearheading the Celtics' attack, so it may be time for Kobe to guard him and frustrate him a little bit.  

It doesn't take much to get back into a fight. The Lakers just have to bring more passion, more energy, and more balls of courage to the battle. This ain't no joke and I'm sure first-timers like Ronny, Sasha, Jordan, Pau, and Lamar have found out. You gotta bring it; as if your life depended on it. You get socked up a little bit, you weather the storm, and you get back up and counter. The Celtics jabbed and hooked, bobbed and weaved, and knocked the Lakers down twice with a couple of blows to the ribcage.

 Don't be suprised to see a good dose of DJ Mbenga in the next three games, the one player off the bench the Lakers have who could likely ignite the team with his length, ability to body up on guys, shot blocking, and physical strength. Although he won't put up major numbers, he could potentially provide something for the psyche of this team. And I guarantee you that Mbenga would have fouled Powe real hard on that play in which Leon dribbled the length of the court and dunked it when no Laker player stepped up to stop the ball. Like Powe, DJ also has his own story about overcoming adversity when pitted against all odds. It's your turn to shine Mbenga, so you better be ready when Phil calls your number.

Now the series is at Staples Center for the first time. I expect an advantage on home court. I expect the fans to bring their die-hard attitude. I want to see passion. I want to hear heckling. I want to smell killer instinct from the Lakers. So far the ASSAULT is being done on us, Lakers fans. There will be blood before all of this is over.

Prediction for Game Three

Lakers 116, Celtics 101

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS LISA H's BLOG ON GAME 3