Welcome to the Staples Center …
LOS ANGELES — Welcome to the Staples Center, where the Celtics will take on the Lakers in Game 3 of the NBA Finals at 9 p.m. EST. The Celtics lead the best-of-seven series, 2-0.
As usual, Ray Allen was the first player out on the floor before the game. Allen takes about 150 jump shots before every game, and it’s truly a joy to watch him shoot.
The Celtics shooting guard spent a few minutes getting used to the arena, pointing up at a couple of lights that were particularly bright and made it tough for him to see the basket clearly. The lighting in here is a little different than at the TD Banknorth Garden. The court is extremely well lit (to the point where it’s hard for me to type this without getting some serious glare on my laptop), but the stands are in the shadows.
Other than that the arenas are pretty similar. There’s a gigantic NBA Finals logo plastered onto center court here, just like in Boston. There are the same plush seats at coutside. And there are quite a few championship banners hanging from the rafters.
Glen ‘Big Baby’ Davis is also out shooting for the Celtics. He’s usually the second or third player out. We still haven’t seen Inglewood’s own Paul Pierce, who surely got some home cooking last night.
Doc Rivers and Phil Jackson are scheduled to give press conferences before the game. After that, the locker rooms will open.
Chris Forsberg and I have made the trek to LA, and we’ll be bringing you updates from the Staples Center all night. Stay tuned.
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