“I’m highly concerned,” “This team can beat us. It’s clear. We just have to come in ready to play Game 2.” – Kobe Bryant
Two of the NBA’s best closers playing at their best. Two teams battling in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals. It came down to which team’s star player would shine brightest in the clutch. In a game that was decided by two points and two moments. Playoff basketball at its most cherished stage.
It what was an intense fight where Dirk Nowitzki’s two clutch free throws proved to be the difference, while Kobe’s 29th attempt and ninth try from three, which had the potential to be the difference, proved to be too strong. The finest basketball, with the finest late-game heroes going toe-to-toe.
The Lakers and Mavs produced a game of bizarre twists and turns. It had 15-point swings, technical fouls, constant physical play, and down the stretch anomalies. Trash talking, big runs, and execution under pressure; it provided the fans with everything they could desire.
“You’ve got to make plays, and you’ve got to dodge some bullets,” Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said. “We did both.” Well said by the Mavs coach, and well done by the Mavs players. As for the Lakers, they felt like they gave away the game in the fourth quarter. Was it more the Mavs or the Lakers beating the Lakers?
“We felt like we gave the game away,” Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. “I’m not so sure Dallas didn’t outplay us, but the players felt like we gave it away. … The game was won in the third quarter when we got the lead and stopped playing defense and stopped playing offense. It took a lot of energy out of us and gave a lot of energy to them.” Lackadaisical Lakers falling asleep at the wheel. When Phil Jackson’s squad was in control during the third quarter the game looked over. His team stormed its way to a 21-2 run from the end of the first half to the early part of the third quarter. The Lakers had the upper hand, but with shoddy energy, failed to hold it.
Up 60-44, coach Carlisle’s crew combated that spree with a 17-4 streak of their own. From that point forward, the purple and gold would not hold a double-digit lead. From the 10:22 mark on in the fourth quarter, the game would be played within a two possession difference. In review, there were three reasons why the Mavs pulled off a comeback victory on the road in Staples.
First, the five-man rotation off the bench of Dallas was superb. Every player tallied a positive plus-minus when on the court. Second, other than Kobe, the Mavs defense would not let anyone beat them. Even when the game was on the line, the usually suspect defense of Dallas was aggressive and feisty. Both Jasons (Kidd, Terry) played tough D. Third, Dirk outdueled Kobe in the final period, 11-6. I can’t believe Kobe was outdone by Dirk in crunch time. Kobe had a shot to win it that he usually makes.
The evidence behind the Lakers giving it away was lacking. Sure, Kobe should have made the game-winning three. Yet, on the other side, the Mavs outscored the Lakers 25-16 in the fourth quarter and had three more players scoring in double-figures. From balance to defense, three point shooting to savvy plays made by heady vets; the Mavs outsmarted the Lakers with sound execution when the game was on the line.
The final twelve minutes of play showed that the Lakers have to get back to pounding the rock inside. Pau Gasol has to make Dirk work on the defensive end. Andrew Bynum has the show up, period. It’s clear Kobe’ post-game quote applies to Bynum. He has to come in ready to play Game 2. For Bynum on Monday, he had his worst game of the playoffs. He failed to score in double-digits and did not generate at least nine rebounds for the first time this postseason. In 29 minutes of action, the center gave the team only eight points on just five rebounds.
For the Lakers to win the series, they need to realize they can’t outshoot and outplay the Mavs at their game. The style and tempo of the game has to be played at the Lakers strength – which is, attacking the paint. The length, size, and athleticism has to be properly and fully utilized in order for the team to have the advantage. The Mavs possess no post players who can both score and defend. They only have two bigs (Chandler, Haywood) who can guard Pau and Bynum. A better job has to be done at exploiting the Mavs lack of interior size and strength.
Outside of Kobe, the Lakers missed nine out of their ten shots from beyond the arc. Kobe’s game was sharp and he scored a playoffs and game-high 36 points. He shot the ball extremely well and looked really smooth while doing so. But it’s been proven before, that if the supporting cast of Kobe is struggling and doing a better job of watching the Black Mamba look good instead of looking good themselves, the team will suffer and end up wondering whether or not they gave a game away, or the opposition just beat them. The outcome should be decided not by the two stars, but by the Lakers bigs; because when they are in control of a game, no one can beat them.
Game 2: Staples Center, 7:30 ET
Enjoyed this post?
Subscribe to Lakers Gab via RSS Feed or E-mail and receive daily news updates from us!
Lakers Blow Fourth Quarter Lead; Lose Game One To Mavs 96-94
The Last Punch From Kobe Just Missed
“I’m highly concerned,” “This team can beat us. It’s clear. We just have to come in ready to play Game 2.” – Kobe Bryant
Two of the NBA’s best closers playing at their best. Two teams battling in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals. It came down to which team’s star player would shine brightest in the clutch. In a game that was decided by two points and two moments. Playoff basketball at its most cherished stage.
It what was an intense fight where Dirk Nowitzki’s two clutch free throws proved to be the difference, while Kobe’s 29th attempt and ninth try from three, which had the potential to be the difference, proved to be too strong. The finest basketball, with the finest late-game heroes going toe-to-toe.
The Lakers and Mavs produced a game of bizarre twists and turns. It had 15-point swings, technical fouls, constant physical play, and down the stretch anomalies. Trash talking, big runs, and execution under pressure; it provided the fans with everything they could desire.
“You’ve got to make plays, and you’ve got to dodge some bullets,” Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said. “We did both.” Well said by the Mavs coach, and well done by the Mavs players. As for the Lakers, they felt like they gave away the game in the fourth quarter. Was it more the Mavs or the Lakers beating the Lakers?
“We felt like we gave the game away,” Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. “I’m not so sure Dallas didn’t outplay us, but the players felt like we gave it away. … The game was won in the third quarter when we got the lead and stopped playing defense and stopped playing offense. It took a lot of energy out of us and gave a lot of energy to them.” Lackadaisical Lakers falling asleep at the wheel. When Phil Jackson’s squad was in control during the third quarter the game looked over. His team stormed its way to a 21-2 run from the end of the first half to the early part of the third quarter. The Lakers had the upper hand, but with shoddy energy, failed to hold it.
Up 60-44, coach Carlisle’s crew combated that spree with a 17-4 streak of their own. From that point forward, the purple and gold would not hold a double-digit lead. From the 10:22 mark on in the fourth quarter, the game would be played within a two possession difference. In review, there were three reasons why the Mavs pulled off a comeback victory on the road in Staples.
First, the five-man rotation off the bench of Dallas was superb. Every player tallied a positive plus-minus when on the court. Second, other than Kobe, the Mavs defense would not let anyone beat them. Even when the game was on the line, the usually suspect defense of Dallas was aggressive and feisty. Both Jasons (Kidd, Terry) played tough D. Third, Dirk outdueled Kobe in the final period, 11-6. I can’t believe Kobe was outdone by Dirk in crunch time. Kobe had a shot to win it that he usually makes.
The evidence behind the Lakers giving it away was lacking. Sure, Kobe should have made the game-winning three. Yet, on the other side, the Mavs outscored the Lakers 25-16 in the fourth quarter and had three more players scoring in double-figures. From balance to defense, three point shooting to savvy plays made by heady vets; the Mavs outsmarted the Lakers with sound execution when the game was on the line.
The final twelve minutes of play showed that the Lakers have to get back to pounding the rock inside. Pau Gasol has to make Dirk work on the defensive end. Andrew Bynum has the show up, period. It’s clear Kobe’ post-game quote applies to Bynum. He has to come in ready to play Game 2. For Bynum on Monday, he had his worst game of the playoffs. He failed to score in double-digits and did not generate at least nine rebounds for the first time this postseason. In 29 minutes of action, the center gave the team only eight points on just five rebounds.
For the Lakers to win the series, they need to realize they can’t outshoot and outplay the Mavs at their game. The style and tempo of the game has to be played at the Lakers strength – which is, attacking the paint. The length, size, and athleticism has to be properly and fully utilized in order for the team to have the advantage. The Mavs possess no post players who can both score and defend. They only have two bigs (Chandler, Haywood) who can guard Pau and Bynum. A better job has to be done at exploiting the Mavs lack of interior size and strength.
Outside of Kobe, the Lakers missed nine out of their ten shots from beyond the arc. Kobe’s game was sharp and he scored a playoffs and game-high 36 points. He shot the ball extremely well and looked really smooth while doing so. But it’s been proven before, that if the supporting cast of Kobe is struggling and doing a better job of watching the Black Mamba look good instead of looking good themselves, the team will suffer and end up wondering whether or not they gave a game away, or the opposition just beat them. The outcome should be decided not by the two stars, but by the Lakers bigs; because when they are in control of a game, no one can beat them.
Game 2: Staples Center, 7:30 ET
Subscribe to Lakers Gab via RSS Feed or E-mail and receive daily news updates from us!