How to restore basketball grip

Slippery Basketball? Get The Grip Back In 5 Steps – Get Hyped Sports

When you play a game outside in the rain and dust, your basketball will eventually become almost impossible to dribble or catch. A slippery basketball can be a pain, especially as you start failing to make shots and lose control of the ball across the court.

You must clean the basketball with a wet cloth and soapy water, ensuring that you move in circular motions to get between the dots on the ball. If you have a leather ball, you must dry it and apply the leather cleaner, while rubber balls can be left to dry before using again.

As easy as it may sound, people learn a few things through only practice and making mistakes while cleaning their basketballs. Because of some basketballs’ relatively high cost, we need to ensure that you are not damaging the surface while cleaning the ball.

How To Get the Grip Back On A Leather Basketball

Leather basketballs are what you will find being used in official games, most school gymnasiums, and, if you are lucky, in your court. These balls are all handmade and cost a significant amount more than their composite rubber counterparts, which is why they require more care.

Many pro athletes have made it clear that these basketballs feel significantly different from the other and are generally better.

Understanding how to clean a leather basketball will be the difference between having it for a lifetime or having a cracked mess within a year. A basketball with a grip will give you more control and help you palm it.

Find A Flat Surface

To start the process, find a clean flat surface that can get wet and place the leather basketball on it, preferably something on the ground.

Ensure that you can hold the ball in place with one hand so that the ball won’t roll away and get dirty again later on.

Many people try to do this on a table or work surface that they have access to, only to find that the table needs to be cleaned once the process is done.

When using a clean surface on the ground, either a garage floor or just a patio, you can sweep away or hose away from any residue that stays behind.

Hold Ball

This is ironically the most challenging part of the process because the ball will get highly slippery before you can get a proper grip on it.

Many people recommend deflating the ball slightly to ensure it is easier to grip while initially washing it before applying the leather care.

You should ensure that you can grab onto the ball simultaneously, ensuring that the ball cannot randomly slip out of your hand while cleaning.

Getting a good grip on the ball means that you are not pushing it down too hard or that you may lose your grip on the ball.

Use Rag and Dish Soap

This will be the first stage of cleaning the ball; the leather will be damaged if you dunk the ball into the water or use too much.

We recommend that you get a rag and soak it in mildly hot water, spreading a few drops of dish soap onto the rag instead of the ball.

Using the rag, you should start cleaning the ball in a circular motion, turning it around, so you get every part of the ball. If the rag is too wet or you have too much soap, a residue will be left behind; after everything is cleaned, use a dry cloth to wipe away any excess water and soap.

See Our Complete List Of Helpful Basketball Articles Here.

Leather Cleaner

This step will not be required every time and should only be done once the ball is older than a year. After you have cleaned the entire surface of the ball and it has dried completely, you need to move it to a dry surface and start treating the leather.

You cannot simply use any leather cleaner; most sports equipment stores will have the right leather cleaner and treatment for leather basketballs.

If you use the wrong type, you can cause the ball to be more slippery than ever, ruining the ball almost permanently. If you’re looking for a leather cleaner, we like this one.

Use Circular Motion

The most crucial part about cleaning the basketball is moving in a circular motion, ensuring that you get into the grooves of the ball. The circular motion will clean between the dots of the ball, ensuring that it is spotless before applying anything else.

When drying the ball, you need to follow the same motion, ensuring no moisture is trapped between the dot and the grooves of the ball.

If you apply leather treatment or cleaner, you need to follow the motions to ensure it gets everywhere.

Get The Grip Back On A Plastic Or Rubber Basketball

Plastic, rubber, or composite balls are vastly different from the leather basketballs used in professional basketball games. These balls are significantly less expensive than their counterparts and are a lot easier to clean than leather basketballs have ever been.

The steps may seem similar to what they are for leather basketballs, but they are not nearly as complicated. Many people enjoy these balls when practicing and having fun because they are easier to clean and allow you to care a bit less about how and where they are used.

Add Water And Soap In Sink

The most significant difference is that we wash these balls in the sink, either in the kitchen, the bathroom, or the sink used in the washroom. Because the material is not sensitive to excessive water and soap, you can be rougher and more thorough when cleaning.

Usually, filling the sink with an inch or two of hot, soapy water will be enough to clean every part of the basketball thoroughly.

This provides enough water to do everything needed, and the hot water will aid in cleaning off any substances like oil, sweets, or cooldrink on the surface.

Cover Entire Ball with Soapy Water

Before cleaning the ball thoroughly, we recommend turning it around in the water for a few minutes, ensuring that every part has soaked in the water. This will make it easier to start scrubbing, having water everything, and the loose dirt and dust away to reveal the stains.

Rubber and composite materials can be stained with more stubborn dirt and fluid, almost absorbing it into the fabric. To clean these stains, you need to have the water-soaked onto the surface of the basketball, not merely splashed or on the surface.

Wash With Rag or Brush

Now that the ball is wet and hot, you can grab a brush or rag and start scrubbing away, moving in any way you are comfortable. You do not have to be too careful as the materials are resilient and are not easily damaged by your motions while cleaning them, even in hot water.

A brush is an easy way to get into the grooves of the basketball, while the rag is perfect for cleaning the dots and more expansive surfaces of the ball. To ensure that you are not having a problem cleaning the ball, we recommend doing this with one hand holding onto the ball while the other brushes.

Leave In Sunny or Windy Area

Unfortunately, plastics, rubbers, and composite materials never clean when dried with a towel. You will have to leave the ball in a slightly sunny, indoor area or with a fan on it to get it dry entirely, usually going it for half a day or more.

This ensures that the surface is not wet when you start dribbling the ball on the courts, which will cause more problems as the wetness soaks up dust and dirt. We highly recommend that you make sure it is dry; otherwise, you will have to start from the beginning again.

Conclusion

Basketballs may be inexpensive or extremely expensive, but they will always be easy to clean, with only leather basketballs requiring extra attention to how you are cleaning them.

We recommend following these steps to ensure you can perfectly dunk on anyone that challenges you.

Whatever you do, please don’t let a leather basketball soak in water for more than a few minutes!

How to Restore Grip on a Basketball

No matter how good you are in basketball, the ball sometimes slips from your hand. It’s not your fault; it’s the basketball. Knowing how to restore grip on a basketball will give you those winning moments.

A basketball is the most abused part of a game. It takes constant the pounding, changing hands from players, and hitting different parts of the court. It is also susceptible to natural elements. Without proper care, the basketball loses its grip. The player misses three-point shots and turns over the ball.

A good grip on a basketball requires a player’s skill and the condition of the basketball. Over time it gets dirty and becomes slippery, and deteriorates without the proper upkeep. A basketball should be adequately cared for to exceed its lifespan, perform as expected, and to show  a player’s skills on the court. These are the things that you must know on how to make your basketball more grippy.

1. A Basketball in the Wrong Court

The type of basketball you’ll use depend on the kind of court you’re playing. A basketball made of rubber is made for outdoor play on concrete flooring, leather basketballs are made for indoor courts on a wooden surface, and synthetic basketballs are suitable for indoor and outdoor spaces.

You’ll find yourself in trouble if you carry your leather basketball outside.

2. Giving way to dust

Dust and dirt will find their way to your basketball’s surface. If left soiled, it will accumulate over time and occupy the crevices making the basketball slippery. You’ll find a hard time dribbling, shooting, and passing, adversely affecting your game. Avoid this by frequently wiping your basketball with a towel.

Mix water with a mild cleansing agent for your leather basketball and dry it with a towel. Leaving it wet will damage the surface.

Rubber and synthetic basketballs can be left in damp conditions for long, but not the leather types.

3. Exposure to the Elements

Don’t leave your basketball exposed to the elements for so long. Extreme weather conditions can affect the quality of any basketball.

Extensive exposure to UV rays will alter the color and can change the shape affecting play. A wet basketball surface will cause it to lose its grip.

4. Improper Air Pressure

An over-inflated ball can cause lumps, and slamming it on the floor or bouncing it off the wall can cause tearing. An under-inflated basketball won’t bounce properly. 

A tip is to drop the ball from above your head, and if it bounces back to chest level, you’re ready to play.

5. Wrong Storage

When you’re not using your basketball, store it in a basketball bag. Avoid placing any objects on top which can change the shape.

The rack railings can cause your basketball to become non-spherical instead of the round shape if placed too long.

Playing with your rubber or synthetic basketball outside exposes it to water and dust becoming slippery. Your play is affected. You miss easy shots lose control of your dribble, or make bad passes. If you know how to restore grip on a basketball, you’ll apply wet cloth and soapy water moving in circular motions to get between the dimples on the ball. Top it off with a dry cloth and leave it to dry before resuming play.

A leather basketball requires a different approach to get back its grip. Since it’s expensive, we must ensure no damage to the ball while we clean. 

1. Flat Surface

Find a flat surface, preferably on the ground, that can get wet and where you can hold the leather ball with one hand without rolling over and getting dirty again. It could be a patio or a garage floor that can be easily cleaned of any residue by hosing.

2. Hold the Ball

If you know how to fix a slippery basketball, you’ll avoid soaking your leather ball with water. It will help if you have a good grip on the ball to avoid any slip out. Pushing it too hard or gently might cause the ball to slide or get loose.

Consider deflating the ball a bit so you can have a good grip while washing.

3. Use Rag and Soap Dish

Too much water will damage the leather. Soak a rag in hot and apply a few drops of liquid soap on the rag and not the ball.

Start cleaning the ball by wiping the rag in a circular motion, be sure that every part of the ball is covered.  Use a dry cloth to wipe the ball. This medium will remove any residues from the excess water or soap.

4. Apply Leather Cleaner

After the basketball has been thoroughly cleaned and dried, move to a dry surface and apply a leather cleaner. Do not use a leather cleaner that catches your eyes. Winding up with the wrong type will cause your leather to be more slippery, causing permanent damage. Go for a leather cleaner provided by reputable sports equipment stores.

Remember that application of a leather cleaner is not required every time you clean and it is done after the ball is over a year old. 

Your basketball has been trashed a million times. It bounced off the floor and the backboard, swished the net through a layup or jump shot, changed hands among players, and was exposed to dirt, grime, and bacteria. Cleaning it will provide a good grip and increase your basketball’s lifespan. It will also save you from playing with a dirty basketball.

But, do you know how to clean basketball? 

Basketballs are made from different materials requiring different cleaning techniques. Once you know the material you can clean it to make it look like new and perform well.

1. Rubber Basketball

Rubber basketballs are the most abused basketballs from the pounding on the concrete floor and exposure to dirt. It gets dirty very quickly but can be easily cleaned with these steps.

• Pour warm water into a bucket.
• Add drops of liquid soap with warm water and mix thoroughly.
• Dip a soft cloth in the mixture and scrub the surface thoroughly.
• Repeat if you don’t get the desired outcome. Apply more force.
• Check the exterior and scrub as needed until every bit of dirt has been removed.
• Wash with clear warm water.
• Use a clean cloth to eliminate remains of water and detergent.

2. Synthetic Leather Basketball

Synthetic leather basketballs are used either for outdoor and indoor play. The proper care will improve its durability from the rough treatment on concrete surfaces.

• Prepare a mixture of warm water with liquid soap.
• Rinse the basketball with water thoroughly to remove any signs of dirt.
• Dip a clean cloth to the mix and apply it on the ball’s surface.
• Repeat as needed until the surface is clean and non-sticky.
• If there are nasty stains, use elbow grease or a leather cleaner.

3. Natural Leather Basketball

Natural leather basketballs are easy to clean with many types of leather cleaners in the market. Get one from a reputable sports equipment store. Use the steps in cleaning a rubber basketball when it is covered with mud before applying a leather cleaner.

• Check the bounce of the ball; if it does not reach your chest, inflate it.
• Purchase a leather cleaner or a leather shampoo. Avoid products that soften the leather.
• Place enough in a container.
• Dip a clean cloth and apply it to the surface of the ball.
• Dry the surface of the ball with a clean cloth.
• After cleaning, store in a cool, dry place.

Constant pounding and exposure to the natural elements will fill the crevices on the dimples of a basketball. The basketball will be slippery if left unclean. You can avoid turnovers if you know how to restore grip on a basketball and enjoy those winning moments.

Fortunately, all types of basketball are easy to clean. Rubber and synthetic basketballs need warm water and detergent to remove unwanted materials that cause a slippery ball. The application of a leather cleaner or shampoo will restore the grip on a leather basketball.

Did you find this post helpful? Then you may also like our other basketball FAQ articles here.

> How to Wash a Basketball Jersey

> How to Paint a Basketball Court

> How to Install a Ground Basketball Hoop?

> How to Add Grip to Basketball Shoes

> Can You Bring a Basketball on a Plane?

Wolf Grip.

Legionary ferment among the middle peasants, the continuation of the epidemic of injuries in Dneprodzerzhinsk, the end of the "Mikhelson march" and the unexpected favorite of the fight on the ground - Tribuna.com sums up the first week of the new year in the Super League.

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Match

BC "Kyiv" in recent years has painfully accustomed everyone to failures and defeats. He taught me so much that now the status of almost the main contender for eighth place is pleasantly shocking. In fact, everything is predictable and understandable. A couple of legionary defenders were chosen on the basis that one (Coleman) carries the piano, and the other (Humphrey) plays it. Sometimes, instead of masterpieces, you get the devil knows what - in the Sunday duel against "Nikolaev" Lee missed 11 out of 12 three-pointers and gave out 10/26 from the field as a whole. But after the victory in the second overtime, a strange feeling appeared: probably, it should have happened that way. Mike Davis, who in Zaporozhye seemed too inefficient at rough work, is used in such a way that his shortcomings are now not visible. At the same time, Bobrov should still be considered the nominal leader of the Kievites, but the team is no longer as dependent on Vyacheslav as before.

Of course, the hosts wouldn't have been so praised if Coleman hadn't put out Bristol with his fifth foul. Without Kervin, the “shipbuilders” can still show something at home (“Azovmash” will confirm), but not away, and even eight points of advantage three minutes before the end of the fourth quarter did not guarantee the victory for the team of Agris Galvanovskis. In the course of the first overtime, it even turned out that Kyiv had a longer bench, Humphrey finally stopped hitting wide in decisive moments... And now it is Cherniy Wolf Cubs who, for a combination of reasons, are becoming favorites in the race for the right to get into the playoffs.

Record

Injury didn't stop Kerwin Bristol from setting a new Super League record of nineteen rebounds in one game. Yes, Wayne Wallace once gave out more serious numbers, but it was in the UBL.

Operation Happy New Year. 7 movies of Ukrainian basketball

Disappointment

"Mavpy" entered the new year not so hot, unable to stand the test of the once defeated opponent. If Igor Chumakov in the middle of the second quarter, with the score at 14:26, had not hit from behind the arc, then the protocol would have amused zero in the “realized three-pointers” column of the hosts. Throw in a lot of balls not scored from under the basket mainly by Terry Smith, and jokes about too active celebration begin to take on real shape. Maxim Mikhelson at some point simply lost the thread of the game, which is excusable for a young coach in isolated cases, but still significant. The winning streak of the team from Cherkassy ended ingloriously.

"Builders", however, should not be overly praised either. Yes, unexpectedly for everyone, Ahearn's game went off, yes, the big ones worked effectively. But if the opponent managed to rebuild in time, there would be no talk of any final +27. In the context of playing conditions, it will be interesting to see Budka already this week in the European Cup match against Banvit.

Leapfrog

Kryvbas continues its legionnaire rotation, but not at all in the way one would expect. By all accounts, Nate Bowie, who had a habit of breaking firewood at the wrong time, was the main candidate for the exit, but on Sunday it was unexpectedly announced that the contract with Solomon Boseman had been terminated. The statistics of this couple were quite comparable (11 + 5 with a sales percentage of 40-31-84 for Boseman; 10 + 4 and 48-36-52 for Bowie), so there is only one explanation: they left the one who costs less.

Of course, there were some new faces. Trey Hampton, who delivered truly unrealistic statistics in the still exotic Kosovo championship (23+10 in three matches), is obviously intended to replace Pope, who left last year, and Devon Moore is taking the place of Bowman. Why him? Probably because the ex-Kormend point guard knows how to beat BC Kyiv - the paths of the Hungarians and the people of Kiev crossed in the fall in the Eurochallenge.

Hero

Based on the first thirty minutes of the Black Sea derby Paul Delaney did not claim to be a hero in any way. By this moment, the point guard of "Chemist" gave out a dozen assists, but he himself stubbornly did not go into the ring. The shot was cut only in the final ten-minute period, during which the American scored all his fifteen points and became the catalyst for the 11-0 finish spurt, which ensured the victory of Yuzhnensk.

Revenge

Bloodless Politehnika won 9 at home in the last match of last year0003 "Hoverlu" , and Ivano-Frankivsk could not remain in debt, especially since the opportunity to return the favor on the calendar turned up surprisingly soon. Feelings of deja vu could not be avoided - the teams were again equal, not only visually, but also statistically. And the final +3 for the Bears was provided by an “extra” three-pointer – the X-factor in the person of Eugene Lawrence, who converted his last five attempts from behind the arc, affected. Revenge took place, but from a tournament point of view, a draw in personal meetings does not warm the soul of either one or the other.

Revelation

Despite the defeat, Kirill Pogostinsky did not lose heart. And about. “everyone you can” not only knows how to speak beautifully, but also has some kind of sense of humor, as it turned out.

“If one of the good players is released, we will take it. From Ukrainians? Well, name me a good Ukrainian who will be released. We will look for a legionnaire in position 4-5, with a long-range throw. Whom? Fesenko? Long range player? No, we won't have Fesenko."

Damn it, we thought Kirill's career was derailed by an injury at the Lithuanian EuroBasket and a partial loss of morale. No, gentlemen, it's all about the throw!

Selection

“Do you think it is possible to evaluate a person who spent three days and two trainings with us, and say whether he or she did not fit? I don't know, not ready to answer on Miles. First, today is the third day of adaptation. Second, he doesn't know the combinations we play. Goverla played competently, put the "zone". I can't release him if he doesn't know how to play against the "zone", or against zone pressure. Here he got lost. Everything else - we'll see.

This is Pogostinskiy again, this time about the newcomer Anthony Miles . Only one question arises – was the American seen in action in Lviv, or, traditionally for Ukrainian realities, did they take the word of the agent after watching a five-minute cut on a videotape? Wait and see.

Inevitability

Dnipro still collapsed to last place, which was expected from the club with the most meager budget in the Super League for the entire first round. This fall took shape in a personal meeting with a neighbor and main competitor. "Dnepr-Azot" even with a crowded infirmary gave out a hurricane first half, by the final quarter the situation seemed to have evened out (57:57), but the ending was left for the "swifts", because there was no way to find justice for Donald Sims. Valdemaras Chomicius rightly complained about the too modest returns from the second or third numbers, although a couple of years ago there would certainly have been complaints about refereeing (38:19 on free throws in favor of Azot). However, complaints are complaints, but now there is nowhere to take other players. And for nothing.

Bad luck

Even victory did not give Viktor Kobzisty a reason to rejoice - he lost another important fighter. Of course, it is worth waiting for the verdict of the doctors, but it seems that Gediminas Macieina in the match with Dnipro quite seriously pulled a muscle. And this is the case when the recovery will take more than a month or even two. The Dniprodzerzhinsk team had no sooner signed Akim Wright to replace the retired Patsatsiya than they would have to enter the market again.

What advice can be given in such a situation? Of course, go to church and light a candle. Moreover, there are plenty of reasons.

Nota bene

Another interesting thing. In addition to the exchange of victories in head-to-head matches, the two main outsiders of the season beat Hoverla once. What do you think, will this explain the likely absence of Ivano-Frankivsk players in the playoffs Evgeny Murzin , if it does happen?

Abroad

It rarely happens that both Ukrainian plenipotentiaries in the VTB United League win simultaneously. But on Christmas Eve, as you know, not such miracles happen. Azovmash famously finished off Neptunas at home, not least thanks to Igor Zaitsev's successful exit from the bench, but in fairness it should be noted that the Lithuanians hardly had time to fully recover after the New Year's Eve thriller in Moscow. But there are no questions about the victory of "Donetsk" in St. Petersburg. For some fans, there was no greater pleasure than the contemplation of the displeased and stunned Stephen Burtt ...

Team of the Week

Paul Delaney (Khimik) - Donald Sims (Dnepr-Azot) - Julian Mavunga (Hoverla) - Rolands Freimanis (Khimik) - Michael Davis (BC Kyiv)

Results of Super League matches

Super League

Statistics Super League

Philip Prokofiev: Traditional rhetoric, which actors habitually occupy themselves during the previous final series, threw off shifts into the core general interest. Hollywood offered something different for everyone: fans of Kobe Bryant's work could delight their ears with compliments lavished on the idol, while those who are looking for more thrills express indignation at the comments of Paul Pierce, who once again said that, unlike Bostonians, the inhabitants of his hometown in basketball do not understand a damn thing and come to the stands to show off. But the big question for the Lakers was raised by Phil Jackson, who identified a key matchup for the series' outcome: Reflecting on the duel between Garnett and Gasol, the Zen master threw in a couple of routine phrases about the Celt's provocative style of play. If we discard the usual malice, then the essence is clear: the main question was not in the analysis of individual confrontations, but whether the Lakers were able to add in the main toughness and aggression under the shields, which were so lacking two years ago. This was especially evident then in the struggle of powerful forwards.

***

Maxim Abramov: Doc Rivers had little doubt before the game with the Lakers. His team already knocked over all the analysts from their chairs and reached the final, having long forgotten about the advantage of their platform. It was victories on the road that became key in the series with Cleveland and Orlando. The age team, in spite of all the fears, was not too tired, winding up only five additional matches in this playoff (12-5).

Doc did not loosen his grip he was ready for an informational and tactical fight against Phil Jackson on all fronts. After reporting on Bynam's failed operation, he laughed in the face of reporters. His team is ready to run all 48 minutes with full dedication, even if the opponent does not enter the court. Defensive formations and the main accents in the attack will still remain the same. Every Boston player now listens only to the words of the mentor and the beating of his heart. Everything else for them is a provocation and meaningless chatter of the “yellows”. The first game of the final is like a baptism of fire. Boston players don't think about how to get one game away. Their goal is to get in the way of the defending champions of the Association and draw the opponent into a slow positional game in which the Celtics will always have a chance to win.

***

Their goal is to lay bones in the path of the reigning champions of the Association and draw the opponent into a slow positional game

Philip Prokofiev: The fact that everything has changed and the Celtics are no longer afraid here was revealed already in the first minutes. Half a minute after the start of the controversial, having got rid of all facial hair (which, apparently, represents the highest degree of seriousness), Artest grappled with Pierce, Bynam, who was written off by everyone after an unsuccessful procedure on his knee, filled in the “paint” and, together with the Spaniard, forced out his opponents away from the shield. The fight for influence outlined the contours of the entire game: dominance in the "paint" became the foundation for the starting spurt (16:10). L.A. filled the space under the shields, completely cutting off the oxygen to Garnett and Perkins, and also deprived Rondo of potential recipients. Only Pierce, who periodically left Artest, and nimble Rondo managed to deliver trouble to the defensive formations. But the Lakers' offense also worked like clockwork: it was varied and practical, elegant and free. Jackson tried to solve two main problems due to the initial activity of Kobe and Poe: Bryant forced Ray Allen to get 2 fouls, Tony got three more in the first quarter, and Gasol, although he did not turn Garnett out of the game, shook the inner foundations of that with his pressure close to someone else's shield. Bynam, Fisher and Artest supported the attack as needed.

***

Maxim Abramov: A quick pass cut through the Lakers zone, and now Rondo threw his hands up in victory Boston's first attack went in an atypical fast manner, promising interesting basketball. Expectations turned out to be in vain just a few seconds later, on the other half of the court, Pierce, using a fighting hold, knocked down Ron Artest and reminded everyone of the sign of the match. Two technical remarks cooled the ardor of the players, but did not lower the degree of confrontation at all.

A few sloppy passes by the Celts caused the Lakers to take the lead from the start (10-4). It is worth saying that the attacks of the hosts were much easier. The Celtics did not cheer up even after the release of Vujacic Rondo did not immediately understand his happiness. Allen received key fouls in the first minutes. After that, Ray-Ray will appear on the site only in episodes. It was possible to trim the score towards the end of the quarter, thanks to a series of unjustified fouls by the Lakers. Actively interfered with the revival of his team, Kevin Garnett, who once again finished the attack of the Celtics with an inaccurate throw from an average distance. The opponent's active reservists spoiled the mood of the guests even more, who at the end of the quarter were frankly tired and missed L-Hey's breakthrough 8:0.

***

Philip Prokofiev: At the end of the twelve-minute period, four Lakers players (Bryant, Artest, Odom and Fisher) had two personal remarks at once, but, oddly enough, this did not break the team rhythm. Of course, Sasha Vuyachich's exit was a forced necessity, but his colleagues Farmar and Brown put the Celtics' defensive formations in a bad light, repeatedly breaking into the rarefied space of the heavy-weight Celts with small fighters over and over again. The guys did not always successfully move the ball, but the usual streetball manner against such a defense of the "Celts" was quite enough.

***

The Celtics did not cheer up even after the release of Vujacic Rondo did not immediately realize his happiness

Maxim Abramov: From the beginning of the second quarter, Rivers decided to increase the mobility of the back line by pairing Rondo with Nate Robinson. The kid took on the role of a foreign body, forgetting that you need to "trust each other." Nate's most real opportunity to excel was when a jump ball was played between him and Gasol Robinson failed to defy the laws of physics. Wallace had a great start to the quarter, scoring a difficult shot from the backboard and the Celtics' first three-pointer of the game. Who would have thought that of all the "big" "Boston" only Sheedy will keep the mark in the first half of the meeting. The Celts' three-second zone looked very hospitable 12:28 on points from the "paint" in favor of the Lakers in the first two quarters. The saddest moment Fisher's accurate cross over Garnett's arm. But Rondo still couldn't calm down and continued to believe in his passage two attacks in a row, he climbed hopefully under the shield and received a colorful "pot" as a gift.

The Celts couldn't cope with Bynam either, who, apparently, was pumped out of fluid right on the bench coming out to the court, the center looked like a completely healthy and productive young man.

At the end, Rondo brightened up the impression a bit by shutting up the siren for a long break. This was the case when 9 points behind could be considered a good outcome.

***

Philip Prokofiev: By the middle of the second quarter, a clear trend emerged. The Lakers were much better at rebounding (19to 10), more often successfully attacked from within the three-second zone (48 to 28 at the end of the match), completely outplayed the opponent on second chance points (12:0 such a difference developed already in the first half and persisted until the end of the match). In other words, we dominated precisely in those components that are more likely to be related to the strengths of the opponent. For the time being, the Celtics kept at a relatively comfortable distance thanks to a better loss ratio (6 to 10), but as soon as the Lakers began to act more disciplined, and the power under the shields made itself felt. The breakthrough 11:6 at the end of the second half was a success thanks to the organic interactions of the top five. Artest scored five points in a row (including hitting the Lakers' first 3-pointer in this game), Kobe went into the pass, Fischer grabbed Ray Allen, intercepted the pass and converted a fast attack against Garnett, the latter also received a block shot from the furious Gasol . Apparently, it was scary to go under the shield to the Lakers, and the Celtics preferred to “water” from afar according to the Sheedy Wallace method. The teams went to the break with a distance of 9points (50:41).

***

Rashid again easily found a topic for conversation by the judges, for which he was rewarded with technical

Maxim Abramov: Foul problems, as usual, became especially noticeable in the middle of the third quarter. Ray-Ray (3), Tony Allen (4) and Perkins (3) played less than usual due to too many comments, limiting the Celtics' rotation to the limit. The plot of the game did its best to follow the canons that the Hollywood team established. The Boston players took on supporting roles and threw all their strength into not missing the difference of 8-10 points. Rondo, as expected, very easily evaded Fischer on the first step, but the safety net worked almost unmistakably. There was only the option of a discount to partners, for whom two free throws became the most favorable outcome at a certain moment. Forgetting about points in a fast break, Boston slowly moved the ball in position, relying on the skill of Paul Pierce and Garnett's shot, which no longer even depended on mood. Another uppercut in the form of a jerk (2:12) “Boston” missed at the end of the third quarter, which made Wallace very upset. Rashid again easily found a topic for conversation with the judges, for which he was rewarded with a technical one.

***

Philip Prokofiev: After a brief tug of war, the Lakers exploded several more times throughout the third quarter. The next breakthrough coincided with the release of Odom instead of Bynam: the opponent was again pushed to the perimeter, the only one who could offer something from behind the arc was thinking about something fundamental on the bench with five fouls, and the rest succumbed to some kind of madness. His highlights were 1-of-8 on three-pointers and a certain number of thoughtless passes, in which even Rondo took a zealous turn. Artest's long-range shot (Lakers' second 3-pointer of the game (2-of-4 total) had a 20-point lead over the last stretch (84:64).

***

Maxim Abramov: At the beginning of the last 12 minutes, only losers had a rest. All of Boston's best players were on the court, ready for the last fight—prestige was at stake. Wallace calmed the stands with an overhand throw, and then the Celts made three more attacks in a row, reducing the gap to 11 points.

The endless advertising timeout played a cruel joke on Boston the hosts came to their senses, and thanks to the efforts of Gasol and Farmar, they restored the gap between the teams (91:76).

***

Three-pointer Kobe in the last seconds looked, of course, bad manners, but in war as in war

Philip Prokofiev: A slight relaxation (1:8) at the start of the final segment did not become systemic, but only embodied a momentary loss of concentration. Kobe was already listening to the jokes of Chris Rock, who was sitting next to him, Jack Nicholson continued to scold the referees, trimming the teams, but already joking, without much fuse, and Jackson could not hide his smile during a short interview. The exit of a person whose concentration would be enough for several people corrected the matter. The appearance of Artest, who replaced Kobe, helped to establish a safety net and shift the focus to Gasol in attack. The Spaniard continued to terrorize Garnett, and Ron-Ron stood up to the death in defense. The most beautiful moment of the meeting was the episode when Artest shifted to Glen Davis, deprived him of the ball, quickly gave it to Farmar, and the point guard forwarded it further there Gasol was already betting on top (91:76).

***

Maxim Abramov: The final part of the match gave all the radiant Staples Center fans an opportunity to show off. Players of "Boston" fell into the lenses of television cameras only in case of emergency.

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