Lakers forward Ron Artest makes the Celtics pay

Ron Artest had not shot the basketball well in the NBA Finals for the Lakers. He heard Lakers’ fans yell “don’t shoot” often.

Now here it was the biggest game of the season for the Lakers, down 3-2 to the Boston Celtics in the Finals, needing a win to extend the series and there was Lakers Coach Phil Jackson calling plays for Artest.

For Ron Artest!

This was the same Artest who entered Game 6 on Tuesday night shooting 30.2% from the field, 31.6% from three-point range, and was averaging 7.8 points.

But this was not the same Artest. He came through for the Lakers, scoring 15 points.

“I was surprised,” Artest said. “They didn’t actually come to me and tell me. It’s not something that I ever ask for. And was surprised they called plays for me. I was ready.

“But I was a little bit surprised. I was like, ‘Cool. I’ve got some plays.’ It something I didn’t get the whole season. So it was pretty cool. I had isolations. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a play called for me. But it’s all right.”

Artest stopped and laughed.

Maybe he realized the role he played in helping the Lakers defeat the Celtics, 89-67, at Staples Center was more about offense this time.

Whatever the case, Artest took advantage of being left open by the Celtics.

“Yeah, [we ran] some stuff just to give him some confidence that he could have a shot and be comfortable taking one,” Jackson said.

Artest had been awful in Game 5 Sunday in Boston.

He missed two free throws with 43.3 seconds left and the Lakers trailing by five points.

Entering Game 6, Artest tried to forget the past.

“I can’t really remember what was on my mind at that point,” Artest said. “I’m always the one that tries to move ahead, but I look back a little bit.”

Artest used his power at times during the game.

He drove baseline around Kevin Garnett and overpowered Paul Pierce for a layup, knocking the Celtics forward to the floor to the delight of the fans.

Artest threw an elbow to the face of Rajon Rondo, knocking him onto the court with a bloody chin.

No foul was called on Artest, again to the delight of the fans.

He made his last points of the game on a three-pointer near the end of the third quarter, giving the Lakers a 76-51 lead.

And his defense on Pierce (13 points) was solid again.

But on this night, all anyone wanted to talk about was Artest’s offense, many wondering if he’ll have it for Game 7 Thursday night at Staples Center.

“Even when I don’t score the ball well, I play hard and I get deflections, offensive rebounds,” Artest said. “I’m banging, doing some things that guys that are not physical are not doing. I think that’s a real important part of the game. People don’t see that part of the game, all that physical play. That’s why I’m always feeling good about myself no matter what the stats say.”

broderick.turner@latimes.com

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