1984 NBA Finals: How Can a Team that Shot 46% Beat a Team that Shot 57%?

1984 NBA Finals

GAME 2

Larry v. Magic: Game-by-Game Summary

Larry v. Magic: Game-by-Game Media Coverage

Check these numbers: Although the Celtics couldn't come close to LA's floor percentage, Boston outrebounded the Lakers, 50-41, and had 20 offensive boards to LA's 9 The Celtics scored 32 points on second shots, compared with 8 for LA. (The Celtics have 59 second-shot points in two games, LA has 18). The Lakers also committed 25 turnovers, eight more than the Celtics.

Meanwhile, the Celtics scored 33 points off the break, 11 more than the run-and-gun Lakers. Boston stopped the Los Angeles running game. LA did not score off the break in the fourth quarter or overtime.

Larry Bird is hitting only 39 percent (15 for 39) in the series, but has 27 rebounds and 51 points. Bird played 49 minutes Thursday . . . LA's James Worthy is hitting 66 percent (37 for 56) in four regular-season and playoff games against Boston . . . Dennis Johnson played only 28 minutes in Game 2. DJ picked up three fouls in 44 seconds in the second half and fouled out in the fourth. He also got into a slight beef with Pat Riley after colliding with Worthy, and didn't seem too happy with his playing time . . . The Celtics missed 9 of 20 free throws in the fourth quarter . . . Boston owns a two-game, 97-83 rebounding edge . . . Danny Ainge hit six shots Thursday, five off the transition . . . Cedric Maxwell was a force at both ends and did a nice defensive job on Magic Johnson in the late stages . . . It was K.C. Jones' first coaching victory in an NBA championship series.

Robert Parish did not meet the press after scoring 18 and coming up with a crucial steal in the closing seconds. Parish had five steals . . . The Celtics had the day off yesterday, and flew to California early in the evening . . . Celebrities in attendance Thursday: actors Jack Nicholson and Timothy Hutton, plus Rams coach John Robinson, who sat with Laker owner Jerry Buss. Look for all the stars to come out for tomorrow's Game 3 in the Forum (3:30 p.m., Ch. 7).