Bryant Takes Aim

Kobe Bryant, the National Basketball Association's Most Valuable Player, had no problem pinpointing what the Los Angeles Lakers need to do to rebound from their 98-88 loss to the Boston Celtics in the opening game of the NBA finals.

'I've just got to put the ball down the damn hole,' Bryant said. 'That sucker didn't want to stay down last game.'

Game one of the best-of-seven series will not be remembered as one of Bryant's best as he got off to a quiet start in the finals with a modest 24 points on dismal nine-of-26 shooting. Many of his problems were caused by the Celtics' tenacious defending, Paul Pierce, James Posey and Ray Allen combining to keep the all-star forward well below his play-off average of 31.9 points a game. Bryant also faltered when his team needed him most, hitting just one of his final seven shots.

Boston provided some of the few tough nights for Bryant during his first MVP season as he averaged just 25 points in two regular-season losses to the Celtics. The Lakers will certainly need more production out of Bryant in game two tonight if they do not want to return to Los Angeles on Tuesday for game three trailing 2-0.

Boston coach Doc Rivers thinks his team can keep a lid on the NBA's most dynamic player for only so long and believes his team will need to win at least one game when Bryant has an inevitable big night.

'Like he [Bryant] said in the interview, he did miss some shots, and we understand that,' Rivers said. 'But you know, we just have to keep staying solid defensively.'