Gimme dat! Got 'em coach!! On a MONSTER block by Dwight, the Lakers erased any hope the Pelicans had at evening the score, and went on to win the game 108-102.
Going into the second night of a road back-to-back after a physical game against OKC, it was well known the Lakers would have to dig deep. In the previous game Kobe aggravated his elbow injury. MWP sprained his ankle. Dwight's injuries have been well documented, and even Clark has caught a bit of the bug (see his braces and protective padding). To their credit the Lakers rose to the challenge. After Dwight Howard was forced to sit with early foul trouble in the 2nd quarter, the Lakers found themselves down by as much as 25 points. The game (and their season) was slowly slipping away.
In the 2nd half, the Lakers kept chipping away through Herculean efforts from Kobe Bryant and the huge bench spark or Jodie Meeks. Meanwhile Howard was almost single-handedly revitalizing the defense. His increased effort along with the rest of the team's intensity on that side of the floor changed the momentum of the game. It was instrumental in shutting down the Pelican's pick and roll attack. They held outscored the Pelicans 33-9 in the 4th quarter.
There were several key plays down the stretch. With the game tied at 102-102 Jodie Meeks played great defense of Eric Gordon and forced him to step out of bounds. Then Kobe and Dwight ran the high screen and roll forcing Robin Lopez to switch onto Kobe. In a few previous plays Kobe had attacked the lane HARD off of the screen. Kobe predicted Lopez would play it that way, so he stopped short for the pull up jumper -- money. With LA up 104-10r2 the Pelicans ran another pick and roll with Gordon and Lopez. Meeks got beat off the dribble by Gordon so Howard stepped up to contest the shot. Gordon then passed it down to Lopez who rose for the dunk, but....STUFFED! D12 got the block and recovered the ball. The Lakers called a timeout and then ran a pretty slick in bounds play that had the Pelicans defending the wrong basket. LOL. It gave Kobe a wide open dunk, and that was all she wrote.
Notables:
The Good:
- Vingtage Vino yet again. Putting up 42 points, 12 assists, and 7 rebounds on 67% shooting is just astounding. Especially at his age. In case you didn't know it, he's special folks...
- D12 was the defensive captain we need him to be. Impressive sir. Most impressive
- Meeks with 19 big points off the bench. His defensive effort was outstanding as well
- Largest deficit comeback win since 2002
The Bad:
- Defense in the first half
- Being down 25 points to anybody
- The Dwight foul trouble trend
People can say what they want about this team, but one thing is certain, they never quit. I think as long as #24 is on the roster that won't change. That will ALWAYS be a very scary thing for the rest of the league. With the win the Lakers pull within 1.5 games of 8th place and 2.5 games from 7th. Just gotta keep it up boys...
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Lakers at Thunder (3/5/13)
Ran out of gas. The Lakers couldn't score in the final 6 minutes and lost the contest 105-120 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. They were within 5 points prior to that stretch after being behind by as many as 18.
I only caught the game in spurts, so I'll defer the review to good old DancingBarry:
DancingBarry's Thoughts and Smiley Ratings
Tonight they'll face the Hornets on the road. It should be tough on their older legs, but they'll need to use their second wind to bring home the W.
I only caught the game in spurts, so I'll defer the review to good old DancingBarry:
DancingBarry's Thoughts and Smiley Ratings
Tonight they'll face the Hornets on the road. It should be tough on their older legs, but they'll need to use their second wind to bring home the W.
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Lakers vs Hawks (3/3/13)
Hawks? Klosed. The Mamba struck again spewing venom as he did it, and the Lakers defeated the Hawks in a thriller 99-98.
The Hawks strategy in this game was to fast break the Lakers to death, and also take advantage of their size mis-matches. They went repeatedly to Al Horford over MWP or Jamison, and Josh Smith over Kobe. They had some success doing that. The downside to their strategy was that it took away their strength of running their point guard Jeff Teague in the pick & roll. Historically the Lakers have had trouble defending the pick & roll with speedy point guards. The Lakers did their best to defend with a much smaller team.
The Lakers led by as many as 16 points in the 3rd quarter, but they let Hawks back in the game by turning the ball over. It led up to a tie ball game with about 2 minutes to go. And that's when the Mamba struck. He threw down a MONSTROUS jam over Josh Smith that fired up the team. In each ensuing possession he drove to the rack repeatedly either scoring or drawing a foul. A miscommunication between Dwight Howard and MWP allowed a wide open layup for Al Horford, and the Hawks led 98-97. On the next play Kobe took Horford to the rack and scored again with an acrobatic finish. That the Hawks with the ball down by 1 with 9 seconds remaining. It was time for a defensive stop. A similar play was run by the Hawks, this time getting Josh Smith a wide open look under the basket. Fortunately he fumbled the pass. The Lakers then swarmed him, and tipped the ball when he tried to pass it out. Steve Blake intercepted the pass and that was all she wrote.
Notables:
The Good:
- Some retro #8 Frobe dunks in this game. (Recommend you watch the highlights if you missed it)
- Nash looked VERY aggressive tonight, and every point was needed
- Solid contributions from MWP and Jamison
- Got a win despite a lot of missed easy ones, and miscues
The Bad:
- 21 turnovers
- Offense was stagnant at times
- Bench was outplayed
The Lakers next play OKC in Oklahoma on Tuesday. As Kobe said in the post game interview, "Let's get it on." Vintage Vino.
The Hawks strategy in this game was to fast break the Lakers to death, and also take advantage of their size mis-matches. They went repeatedly to Al Horford over MWP or Jamison, and Josh Smith over Kobe. They had some success doing that. The downside to their strategy was that it took away their strength of running their point guard Jeff Teague in the pick & roll. Historically the Lakers have had trouble defending the pick & roll with speedy point guards. The Lakers did their best to defend with a much smaller team.
The Lakers led by as many as 16 points in the 3rd quarter, but they let Hawks back in the game by turning the ball over. It led up to a tie ball game with about 2 minutes to go. And that's when the Mamba struck. He threw down a MONSTROUS jam over Josh Smith that fired up the team. In each ensuing possession he drove to the rack repeatedly either scoring or drawing a foul. A miscommunication between Dwight Howard and MWP allowed a wide open layup for Al Horford, and the Hawks led 98-97. On the next play Kobe took Horford to the rack and scored again with an acrobatic finish. That the Hawks with the ball down by 1 with 9 seconds remaining. It was time for a defensive stop. A similar play was run by the Hawks, this time getting Josh Smith a wide open look under the basket. Fortunately he fumbled the pass. The Lakers then swarmed him, and tipped the ball when he tried to pass it out. Steve Blake intercepted the pass and that was all she wrote.
Notables:
The Good:
- Some retro #8 Frobe dunks in this game. (Recommend you watch the highlights if you missed it)
- Nash looked VERY aggressive tonight, and every point was needed
- Solid contributions from MWP and Jamison
- Got a win despite a lot of missed easy ones, and miscues
The Bad:
- 21 turnovers
- Offense was stagnant at times
- Bench was outplayed
The Lakers next play OKC in Oklahoma on Tuesday. As Kobe said in the post game interview, "Let's get it on." Vintage Vino.
Lakers vs Timberwolves (2/28/13)
The Lakers got another win over the Minnesota Timberwolves 116-94 Thursday night. It marked the Lakers 21st straight victory over Minnesota. Lakers shot lights out from downtown (16 for 32). I was out of town, so check Dancing Barry's review for the game:
DancingBarry's Thoughts and Smiley Ratings
Their next opponent is the Atlanta Hawks, which they will play tonight. The Lakers are currently 2.5 games back of Houston for the 8th playoff spot so every game counts. They've got to get this one tonight.
DancingBarry's Thoughts and Smiley Ratings
Their next opponent is the Atlanta Hawks, which they will play tonight. The Lakers are currently 2.5 games back of Houston for the 8th playoff spot so every game counts. They've got to get this one tonight.
Monday, February 25, 2013
Lakers at Nuggets (2/25/13)
This game was already going to be a tough one no matter what for the Lakers since it was a battle of contrasting styles: control vs. speed. Being still without Pau Gasol, playing the game on the road, and having it be the second of a back-to-back spelled disaster for the Lakers. They dropped tonight's contest to the Nuggets 108-119.
The Nuggets essentially ran the Lakers out of the gym. They controlled much of the game by double digits. In the first half the Lakers had 12 turnovers that the Nuggets made them pay for seemingly every time. The Lakers tried to battle back by getting Dwight in position down low. The Nuggets, who aren't short on available big men, simply elected to send Howard to the free throw line. It worked as he shot 3 for 14 from the free throw line.
Defensively the Lakers even had trouble stopping Denver in half court sets due to poor rotations and size mismatches. Whenever Howard would contest the shot of a driving Nugget, no one would rotate over to cover his man, leading to buckets for McGee and Faried. That can't happen. It just can't. Could be due to having no legs after a tough win in Dallas last night, but there's no room for errors like that. Lastly, the Nuggets milked some size mismatches with Wilson Chandler being guarded by Jodie Meeks, and Andre Miller being guarded by the Lakers' point guards.
Notables:
The Good:
- Kobe's second half offense (wound up with 29 points, 6 rebounds, and 9 assists)
- Overall team offense was good. Shot 55% and scored 108 points.
- Didn't quit
The Bad:
- Turnovers in the first half
- Putrid free throw shooting (45%)
- Lack of rim protection when Dwight sits
- Inability to defend the fast break
Kobe, Nash, Dwight, and Jamison all seemed to get to minor tweaks/aggravations to injuries tonight. The Lakers have only 1 game in the next 5 days. It's the perfect time to get healthier, regroup, and then get some more wins in the race to get a playoff spot. They can't look past Minnesota on Thursday though, that will be yet another important game.
The Nuggets essentially ran the Lakers out of the gym. They controlled much of the game by double digits. In the first half the Lakers had 12 turnovers that the Nuggets made them pay for seemingly every time. The Lakers tried to battle back by getting Dwight in position down low. The Nuggets, who aren't short on available big men, simply elected to send Howard to the free throw line. It worked as he shot 3 for 14 from the free throw line.
Defensively the Lakers even had trouble stopping Denver in half court sets due to poor rotations and size mismatches. Whenever Howard would contest the shot of a driving Nugget, no one would rotate over to cover his man, leading to buckets for McGee and Faried. That can't happen. It just can't. Could be due to having no legs after a tough win in Dallas last night, but there's no room for errors like that. Lastly, the Nuggets milked some size mismatches with Wilson Chandler being guarded by Jodie Meeks, and Andre Miller being guarded by the Lakers' point guards.
Notables:
The Good:
- Kobe's second half offense (wound up with 29 points, 6 rebounds, and 9 assists)
- Overall team offense was good. Shot 55% and scored 108 points.
- Didn't quit
The Bad:
- Turnovers in the first half
- Putrid free throw shooting (45%)
- Lack of rim protection when Dwight sits
- Inability to defend the fast break
Kobe, Nash, Dwight, and Jamison all seemed to get to minor tweaks/aggravations to injuries tonight. The Lakers have only 1 game in the next 5 days. It's the perfect time to get healthier, regroup, and then get some more wins in the race to get a playoff spot. They can't look past Minnesota on Thursday though, that will be yet another important game.
Lakers at Mavericks (2/24/13)
In the first game of a back-to-back road trip the Lakers defeated the Mavericks 103-99. It was their 3rd straight win since the All-Star break. Check Dancing Barry's review from Lakersground.net
DancingBarry's Thoughts and Smiley Ratings
Another critical win! This team is putting it together ;)
DancingBarry's Thoughts and Smiley Ratings
Another critical win! This team is putting it together ;)
Lakers vs Blazers (2/22/13)
Only had time to catch the waning moments of the 4th quarter of this one, and unfortunately Dancing Barry also missed the game.
It matters not. Enjoy the Lakers' 111-107 win over the Blazers. Coupled with a Houston loss it put LA only 2 back in the loss column for the 8th playoff spot.
The Blazers made some tough shots, and Nash tweaked his back leading to a poor shooting night, but they toughed it out.
It matters not. Enjoy the Lakers' 111-107 win over the Blazers. Coupled with a Houston loss it put LA only 2 back in the loss column for the 8th playoff spot.
The Blazers made some tough shots, and Nash tweaked his back leading to a poor shooting night, but they toughed it out.
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