He knocked down a couple of shots, and shook off a little rust. The more he plays, the less we’ll see Vladimir Radmanovic and Luke Walton.8) Kwame GasolPau Gasol had nine points, 12 rebounds, and zero blocks in tonight’s game. In his only Game Three of last year’s playoffs, Kwame Brown had 19 points, six rebounds, and two blocks against the Suns….I’m just saying.9) The Injury ReportThe Celtics have now had three players go to the locker room with injuries in three games. We don’t really know how Kendrick Perkins’s ankle is because he hasn’t stayed out of foul trouble long enough to get a read on him.Rajon Rondo’s ankle looked fine, although I was surprised Doc Rivers left him on the bench for that long when Rondo returned from the locker room.

He played the last eight minutes of the game, hit one jumper, grabbed one offensive board, and committed two fouls.The bigger question, though, is Pierce’s knee. You can count the number of times he drove to the basket in Games Two and Three on one hand. He had two days off between Games One and Two, and only one day off, and an airplane ride between Games Two and Three Kobe did a good job of guarding him. I doubt he’ll be in foul trouble as early in Game Four as he was tonight. I’m interested to get a read on the knee with three games in five days.10) The longer the series goes, the more I think the Lakers will benefit.Tonight’s game was the Celtics’ 23rd playoff game It was the Lakers’ 18th.

Kevin Garnett had looked tired in the fourth quarter of every game in the series, and the Celtics had three starters forced to leave the court to get medical attention.The pressure is still squarely on the Lakers. But if they win the next two games, they’ll ride a ton of momentum against a team that is older and more banged-up heading back to Boston.If the Lakers can win Game Four on Thursday, I think we’re in store for one hell of a Game Five on Sunday.Bonus note: Jeff Van Gundy’s rant on how barbers should charge less for cutting bald guys was priceless. Unless Mark Jackson takes an assistant job, we’re blessed to have this crew for another season. Props to Jackson for being the first announcer to call out Boston’s illegal picks in these playoffs. I’m surprised Phil Jackson hasn’t complained about those yet Maybe he’s saving that rant for Game Five, Six, or Seven..