If there's one thing this Lakers team has done consistently this year, it's play well when they're backs are against the wall. They did just that tonight to get the 103-98 victory over the Sacramento Kings.
Earlier in the day both the Mavericks and the Jazz won their games. With the Jazz tied and the Mavericks only behind by 1 game, all the pressure was on LA to get the win. They responded with one of the best efforts of the season. Although bruised and battered, every player who stepped on the court gave maximum effort. Kobe set the tone by playing all but 22 seconds of the game. That's in spite of his age and in spite of the bone spur in his left foot. Dwight gave multiple efforts on both the offensive and defensive ends. His hustle was key in punishing the Kings in the paint. Meeks is always all over the court with his hustle, and he got a key defensive stop late in the 4th when the Kings were about to tie the game.
Steve Nash left the game after only about 2 minutes of action. Steve Blake filled in quite nicely by scoring 15 points on 5/8 from downtown. The Spaniard looked a lot more like "The Spaniard" with 12 points and 10 assists. Dwight Howard was a monster on both ends of the court. As stated earlier, his multiple efforts really made the difference. There were several plays where he missed his initial shot, and then immediately jumped again to get the rebound and shoot again. He had 24 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 blocked shots. Superman anyone?
The Lakers won this game tonight by relying on their defense and not turning the ball over. Great effort tonight.
Notables:
The Good:
- Dwight would not be denied tonight. Was the player of the game tonight
- Still sippin that Vino. The Mamba is just ridiculous. He put up 19 points, 14 assists, and 9 rebounds on a bum foot.
- The Lakers weathered the hot shooting 1st quarter of the Kings. The role player stepped up perfectly
- Balanced team scoring
The Bad:
- There were a few rebound the Lakers should have secured but didn't, which kept the game a lot closer
- Missed technical free throws by Kobe and Jodie :P
On a free throw line jumper in the 2nd quarter, Kobe Bryant passed Wilt Chamberlain to be 4th on the all-time scoring list. It's an incredible accomplishment. Hopefully Kobe continues to move up that list. It also may have been the Lakers last game in Sacramento.
However, the Lakers have no time to get sentimental. They're in the middle of a heated playoff spot battle. Their next game is at home against the Dallas Mavericks which is sure to be a playoff-like atmosphere. Stay tuned...
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Lakers at Bucks (3/28/13)
This season the 2nd of a back-to-back has been a guaranteed loss for the Lakers. It was no different Thursday night when they fell 103-113 against the Milwaukee Bucks. Check Dancing Barry's review:
DancingBarry's Thoughts and Smiley Ratings
Kobe and Nash sustained injuries but are listed as "probable" for tonight's game against Sacramento. With Dallas and Utah both breathing down their necks this playoff race is heating up. The Lakers have to take the challenge and play with everything they've got, or else not making the post season is all too real possibility.
DancingBarry's Thoughts and Smiley Ratings
Kobe and Nash sustained injuries but are listed as "probable" for tonight's game against Sacramento. With Dallas and Utah both breathing down their necks this playoff race is heating up. The Lakers have to take the challenge and play with everything they've got, or else not making the post season is all too real possibility.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Lakers at Timberwolves (3/27/13)
The Lakers won a much needed game last night 120-117 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. I missed the action except for the final minute so check DancingBarry's review:
DancingBarry's Thoughts and Smiley Ratings
One positive of MWP being out is the Lakers can field a quicker team with Jodie Meeks being in the starting lineup. The negative to that is they lose size.
Tonight they'll play the Bucks. They need to win tonight to complete their first back-to-back sweep of the season. Go Lakers!!!
DancingBarry's Thoughts and Smiley Ratings
One positive of MWP being out is the Lakers can field a quicker team with Jodie Meeks being in the starting lineup. The negative to that is they lose size.
Tonight they'll play the Bucks. They need to win tonight to complete their first back-to-back sweep of the season. Go Lakers!!!
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Lakers at Warriors (3/25/13)
I missed this one and I'm not that upset about it. Didn't want to see another loss. The Lakers have dropped their last 3 games falling to the Warriors (103-109). This isn't a good time to be on a losing streak. Check DancingBarry's review over at Lakersground:
DancingBarry's Thoughts and Smiley Ratings
After the game MWP was diagnosed with lateral tear in his left knee. The Lakers will release a timetable for his return after he meets with team doctors. It doesn't sound good. This team hasn't been healthy once all year long.
Pau doesn't yet have his legs back either. I think he should be coming off the bench. We'll see what adjustments the Lakers can make. They are only ahead of Utah by 1 game in the standings. They play Minnesota on the road tonight.
DancingBarry's Thoughts and Smiley Ratings
After the game MWP was diagnosed with lateral tear in his left knee. The Lakers will release a timetable for his return after he meets with team doctors. It doesn't sound good. This team hasn't been healthy once all year long.
Pau doesn't yet have his legs back either. I think he should be coming off the bench. We'll see what adjustments the Lakers can make. They are only ahead of Utah by 1 game in the standings. They play Minnesota on the road tonight.
Friday, March 22, 2013
Lakers vs Wizards (3/22/13)
Well that was unexpected. After an emotional boost from the return of Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant, the Lakers collapsed in the second half to fall to the Wizards 100-103.
The Lakers were firing on all cylinders to start the game. They led by as much as 18 and were up by 16 at the break. Although Gasol was clearly out of rhythm the offense was clicking. It was working beautifully with Bryant, Nash, and Blake all being distributors and Dwight, Meeks, and Jamison being finishers. The Lakers were finally able to stagger Bryant/Nash and Howard/Gasol to constantly maintain that inside/out presence. How did they lose then you ask? The 2nd half tells the tale...
Even in the 1st half the Lakers struggled with turnovers, but in 3rd quarter it really came back to bite them. The Wizards chipped away at the lead by converting turnovers into easy scores. Pau Gasol was one of the main culprits as he clearly did not have the timing or chemistry with his teammates in his first game back. To make matters worse the Lakers failed to contest Washington's shooters. Kobe left Ariza wide open on several possessions. At other times players rotated to help protect the paint but left a shooter open behind the line. MWP committed a crucial offensive foul with the Lakers down by 2 in the waning moments of the fourth. From there it would've taken a couple miracle 3's to force overtime. Kobe got one, but not the other. Coach D'Antoni was not happy with the team's effort after attaining the lead.
Some turnovers are expected when new lineups are played, but sheesh. And there was no excuse for the D.
Notables
The Good:
- Offense in the 1st half was superb
- Defense in the half court was good most of the 1st half
The Bad:
- Terrible perimeter defense/awareness
- Too many turnovers
- No killer instinct when up big
- Pau looked terrible (I believe he'll get back to form though)
- Jamison injured his right wrist (shooting hand)
Bottom line is the Lakers should have won this game. They can't afford performances like this with such a tight race for a playoff spot. Hopefully Pau gets back into it sooner rather than later.
I'm not sold on Pau being in the starting lineup just yet. Not because he isn't starter quality because he definitely is. But the Lakers had a rhythm with Clark starting. He fits better with the starters because of his athleticism, and bringing Pau off the bench allows him to play in the post. We'll see how Coach D'Antoni sets the rotations in the coming games. However, there aren't many more games left.
The Lakers were firing on all cylinders to start the game. They led by as much as 18 and were up by 16 at the break. Although Gasol was clearly out of rhythm the offense was clicking. It was working beautifully with Bryant, Nash, and Blake all being distributors and Dwight, Meeks, and Jamison being finishers. The Lakers were finally able to stagger Bryant/Nash and Howard/Gasol to constantly maintain that inside/out presence. How did they lose then you ask? The 2nd half tells the tale...
Even in the 1st half the Lakers struggled with turnovers, but in 3rd quarter it really came back to bite them. The Wizards chipped away at the lead by converting turnovers into easy scores. Pau Gasol was one of the main culprits as he clearly did not have the timing or chemistry with his teammates in his first game back. To make matters worse the Lakers failed to contest Washington's shooters. Kobe left Ariza wide open on several possessions. At other times players rotated to help protect the paint but left a shooter open behind the line. MWP committed a crucial offensive foul with the Lakers down by 2 in the waning moments of the fourth. From there it would've taken a couple miracle 3's to force overtime. Kobe got one, but not the other. Coach D'Antoni was not happy with the team's effort after attaining the lead.
Some turnovers are expected when new lineups are played, but sheesh. And there was no excuse for the D.
Notables
The Good:
- Offense in the 1st half was superb
- Defense in the half court was good most of the 1st half
The Bad:
- Terrible perimeter defense/awareness
- Too many turnovers
- No killer instinct when up big
- Pau looked terrible (I believe he'll get back to form though)
- Jamison injured his right wrist (shooting hand)
Bottom line is the Lakers should have won this game. They can't afford performances like this with such a tight race for a playoff spot. Hopefully Pau gets back into it sooner rather than later.
I'm not sold on Pau being in the starting lineup just yet. Not because he isn't starter quality because he definitely is. But the Lakers had a rhythm with Clark starting. He fits better with the starters because of his athleticism, and bringing Pau off the bench allows him to play in the post. We'll see how Coach D'Antoni sets the rotations in the coming games. However, there aren't many more games left.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Lakers at Suns (3/19/13)
No luck in the valley of the sun this year. The Lakers got pimp smacked 76-99 last night against Phoenix on the road. It was the second of a back-to-back, where the Lakers have yet to win both games in those situations this year. Check Dancing Barry's review:
DancingBarry's Thoughts and Smiley Ratings
Sounds like the team didn't have enough left in the tank from the game before. That's always tough when you have older guys and injuries. The good news is Utah lost and they've got three days before they play again. They must bounce back and keep the playoff push going.
BTW I can't stand when the other team wears some dumb jersey and we have to wear our home jersey's on the road. It's a personal pet peeve of mine.
DancingBarry's Thoughts and Smiley Ratings
Sounds like the team didn't have enough left in the tank from the game before. That's always tough when you have older guys and injuries. The good news is Utah lost and they've got three days before they play again. They must bounce back and keep the playoff push going.
BTW I can't stand when the other team wears some dumb jersey and we have to wear our home jersey's on the road. It's a personal pet peeve of mine.
Monday, March 18, 2013
Lakers vs Kings (3/17/13)
Balance. Balance. Balance. The Lakers defeated the Sacremento Kings 113-102 with an offensive attack that came at all angles.
From the onset the Lakers looked sharp, agressive, and comfortable. They ran a bevy of scren/rolls, drive and kicks, and low post touches for Dwight. Dwight was frequently doubled so he kicked it out to the open man who knocked down the shot with regularity. This is what's meant by the term "inside-out" basketball. The idea is you force the defense to respect your inside game so much so that they have to abandon defending the perimeter as well, thereby giving you open looks.
This means nothing however if your players don't make those shots. Last night the Lakers had no problems in this area converting 57% of their field goals. It should be noted that the Kings are not exactly know for their defense (to say the least). However, the Kings can score the ball in bunches, and they also have a glutten of the Lakers perennial achilles heel: speedy guards. The Kings's guards that fit this mold include Tyreke Evans, Isaiah Thomas, & Marcus Thornton. For the most part that threat was neutralized by Mr. Dwight Howard. He blocked 5 shots, but just his presence alone altered several more. The Kings tried to take advantage when he was out of the game, but the Lakers did a decent job of defending the paint in his absense. It also helped that he was not in early foul trouble in this game.
The bench duo of Blake and Jamison really hurt the Kings, and they've been coming into their own as of late. Jamison had 27 points and 9 rebs off the bench. That is HUGE. Blake? Well he only had 16 points, 8 assists, and 5 rebounds. Not too shabby huh? I think the key for him has been being agressive. I always thought Blake could play. It would drive me insane though when he would drive through the lane only to pass up a wide open layup to kick it out to someone for a three. I'd pull my hair out when he would receive a wide open three point opportunity from a kick out and then hesitate to shoot. Which would undoubtedly throw off his timing and wind up in a missed shot. I'm glad to say that Blake is no more. The current Blake has confidenc galore, and it's only helping his team. Good job Steve.
Notables:
The Good:
- Ball movement and offensive flow was simple, and executed well
- 6 of the 7 Lakers who played were in double figures
- Dwight showing DPOY type performances
- Watching the team enjoy playing together
- Another win while awaiting Kobe and Pau's returns
The Bad:
- Up until the 4th, couldn't really stop the Kings from gettim good 3 point looks
- Some bad defensive lapses. On a few plays the Lakers perimeter players left shooters to help Dwight stop dribble penetration. Don't do that. Dwight's got it.
The Lakers are in action again tonight taking on the Suns in Phoenix. Still no Kobe, still no Pau, but the Suns are without some players too. The Lakers need to get this win, adn then they'll get a few days off before Friday's game.
From the onset the Lakers looked sharp, agressive, and comfortable. They ran a bevy of scren/rolls, drive and kicks, and low post touches for Dwight. Dwight was frequently doubled so he kicked it out to the open man who knocked down the shot with regularity. This is what's meant by the term "inside-out" basketball. The idea is you force the defense to respect your inside game so much so that they have to abandon defending the perimeter as well, thereby giving you open looks.
This means nothing however if your players don't make those shots. Last night the Lakers had no problems in this area converting 57% of their field goals. It should be noted that the Kings are not exactly know for their defense (to say the least). However, the Kings can score the ball in bunches, and they also have a glutten of the Lakers perennial achilles heel: speedy guards. The Kings's guards that fit this mold include Tyreke Evans, Isaiah Thomas, & Marcus Thornton. For the most part that threat was neutralized by Mr. Dwight Howard. He blocked 5 shots, but just his presence alone altered several more. The Kings tried to take advantage when he was out of the game, but the Lakers did a decent job of defending the paint in his absense. It also helped that he was not in early foul trouble in this game.
The bench duo of Blake and Jamison really hurt the Kings, and they've been coming into their own as of late. Jamison had 27 points and 9 rebs off the bench. That is HUGE. Blake? Well he only had 16 points, 8 assists, and 5 rebounds. Not too shabby huh? I think the key for him has been being agressive. I always thought Blake could play. It would drive me insane though when he would drive through the lane only to pass up a wide open layup to kick it out to someone for a three. I'd pull my hair out when he would receive a wide open three point opportunity from a kick out and then hesitate to shoot. Which would undoubtedly throw off his timing and wind up in a missed shot. I'm glad to say that Blake is no more. The current Blake has confidenc galore, and it's only helping his team. Good job Steve.
Notables:
The Good:
- Ball movement and offensive flow was simple, and executed well
- 6 of the 7 Lakers who played were in double figures
- Dwight showing DPOY type performances
- Watching the team enjoy playing together
- Another win while awaiting Kobe and Pau's returns
The Bad:
- Up until the 4th, couldn't really stop the Kings from gettim good 3 point looks
- Some bad defensive lapses. On a few plays the Lakers perimeter players left shooters to help Dwight stop dribble penetration. Don't do that. Dwight's got it.
The Lakers are in action again tonight taking on the Suns in Phoenix. Still no Kobe, still no Pau, but the Suns are without some players too. The Lakers need to get this win, adn then they'll get a few days off before Friday's game.
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