Now we know why Celtics beat Lakers twice this season

LAKERS FYI

Lakers Coach Phil Jackson has the explanation for the two big losses: too much turkey before Game 1 and those nettlesome short shorts in Game 2.

By Mike Bresnahan, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer|June 05, 2008

BOSTON -- Finally, a plausible explanation for the Lakers' lopsided losses to Boston during the regular season.

Well, sort of.

"I think we had Thanksgiving Thursday here, played on Friday. We were full of turkey," Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said today. "The game in late December was much more reflective of the team. However, we wore those short shorts that night and lost our attitude early in the game. I think the guys got a little tight."

The Lakers arrived here late Tuesday night and participated in a heavily attended media session this afternoon before practicing at TD Banknorth Garden.

Game 1 in the NBA Finals is Thursday.

It had been a while since the teams last played each other -- more than five months -- but forward Lamar Odom predicted it would be fairly early in Game 1 when they would be familiar again with one another.

"Middle of the first quarter," he said. "Both teams jab, jab, jab, jab, and after that you start throwing hooks."

mike.bresnahan@latimes.com