If the Celtics are to win championship No. 17, it will have to be in TD Banknorth Garden. But be advised that it could very easily have taken place here at Staples Center last night.

The Lakers are alive, thanks to a 103-98 victory over the Celtics in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. But they have very little to be proud of. Yes, they pulled out a home-court victory. But once again they squandered leads that should have made life simple. This was no demonstration of Laker grit, courage, determination, or anything else. This was a home-court escape, nothing more.