Generally, a team down big in a “best of” series packs it in, once the Point of No Return has been reached.

That usually means a 3-1 deficit or, for sure, 3-0.

The Lakers are down 3-1 to the Celtics in the NBA Finals. Game 5 is at Staples.

In theory, the Lakers ought to win. With home-court advantage. But will they be competitive? Let alone victorious?

I think, no, the Lakers will not win. I fear they won’t be competitive, either.

A trend in team sports has been for the team that has gotten down … to stay down, and go out just about as fast as possible. The venue, time and date matter little.

Aside from the 2004 Boston Red Sox, of course, who came from 3-0 down to beat the Yankees, but even that was for a league championship, not for a World Series.

Since 1994, the NBA Finals have gone seven games only once. The World Series has gone seven only twice in 10 years.Seven series went only four games, or five.

I have trouble seeing the Lakers bouncing back from that 24-point blown lead in Game 4. They know the odds … and how very long they are.

Though Phil Jackson, in his pre-game chat, gives his team a chance.

“A lot of things can happen,” he said. “(We think) that we’re young enough and dumb enough to be able to do this.”

But to win a championship, by taking three consecutive games, two of them in Boston … that’s just not likely.

Phil says he is stressing to his team that they not think any further than the game about to begin.

“One of the things we’re trying to do is keep thoughts focused on what’s happening right now,” he said. “One of the things we keep talking about [is winning tonight]. … Not the trip tomorrow back to Boston. … I’ve said it maybe 2-3 times since we’ve been here … just being present. Just play this game and don’t think about anything else, not tomorrow or anything else, but tonight’s game.”

This is a bit of a character test for the Lakers. If they have pride as a team, they won’t go down easily.

If they already are beaten, this won’t be much of a game by the second half.