As we get closer and closer to the playoffs, games against possible playoff opponents carry more meaning. In these games it’s important to ask, “Who needs this game more?”
In this case, the answer is clearly the Lakers. Before beating the Rockets in Houston yesterday, the Lakers lost to three Western Conference teams on the road in a row: Denver, Phoenix and Portland. If the Lakers want to feel confident on the road come playoff time, they will need to start playing much better away from LA.
In addition, the Spurs team that the Lakers will face in the playoffs will be much improved from the team they face tonight. In the playoffs, (crossing my fingers,) we will have a healthy Manu Ginobili and Drew Gooden. These players allow the Spurs to give opponents different looks on both ends of the floor. Basically, this means that the Spurs will play tonight’s game with half their playoff playbook. If the Lakers cannot beat this shorthanded Spurs team, they surely will have doubts about beating a much improved Spurs team in the playoffs, regardless of what the national media has to say. And on the other side, the Spurs will beam with confidence if they can secure the win. In fact, I would argue that if the Spurs keep this game close, they will have the mental edge if they meet the Lakers in the playoffs.
Some may point out that the Lakers are also shorthanded, as Andrew Bynum is out. However, it is much more likely that the Spurs will have a healthy Ginobili and Gooden than the Lakers will have a healthy Bynum. Remember, this same scenario played itself out at this time last year. Bynum was playing great and suffered a knee injury. It required surgery and the Lakers continuously said he would be ready by the playoffs. But this did not happen and he missed the entire season. He had knee surgery again, the Lakers claim he will be healthy again, so do not be surprised if he misses the playoffs, again.
As for my pre-game prediction, this one is a tough call. This game means more to the Lakers so expect them to come out with something to prove. Lamar Odom will play with a chip on his shoulder because he was suspended for leaving the Lakers’ bench during an altercation in Portland, and this is the game after the suspension. The Lakers lost a great game to the Spurs last time they were in San Antonio, even though Kobe Bryant did everything humanly possible to win the game, so will be motivated by the memory. As for the Spurs, they have won three in a row in impressive fashion. Tony Parker has been playing fantastic, averaging 26 ppg since Manu went down with the injury. Roger Mason has averaged 16 over the last several games as he too has stepped up in the absence of Manu. And most importantly, the Lakers played Houston last night and it was close. If the Spurs can keep the game close, keep an eye on the fatigue factor. It could have a big influence in the final 3 minutes. Bottom line, Spurs by 6. I could see the Spurs with the ball up by 4 points with 30 seconds left. The Lakers foul, Spurs make both pushing the lead to 6. Lakers make an uncontested layup to cut it back to 4. Lakers foul again, Spurs make both and are up by 6 as time expires. It feels like that kind of game.
Showing posts with label Los Angeles Lakers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Los Angeles Lakers. Show all posts
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Spurs Beat the Best, Spurring Recent Confidence Surge
The Spurs are playing their best basketball of the season, and it’s because of their two convincing wins against the Lakers and the Celtics. Beating these two teams that are constantly referred to as the best in the league proved to the Spurs that they are capable of going all the way this year. Popovich has been quoted saying that the Spurs are one or two pieces away from the Laker’s level. Popovich always puts his team down, in order to fire them up. These recent two wins filled the Spurs with confidence, which overflowed onto the New Jersey Nets last night.
ESPN analysts have made excuses for the Lakers and Celtics. For the Lakers, they were on the second game of a back to back and were missing several bench players. For the Celtics, they were emotionally distraught from the loss to the Lakers two games before the Spurs beat them. Forget about these excuses for a moment as we examine these games. I will attempt to prove that both teams played as close to perfect in these games as possible, and the Spurs still beat them. I wrote about the Spurs winning the vast majority of close games this season. If the Spurs can keep a game close, they win most of the time. The Spurs are adept to getting stops in the closing minutes, and executing flawlessly for critical scores.
First, let us take a look at the Spurs 112-111 victory over the Lakers. The Lakers shot 57% from the field and 56% from three point land while committing only 11 turnovers. Because their bench was unavailable, the Lakers were forced to play their starters playoff minutes. This is greatly responsible for their absurd shooting percentages. Kobe played 42 minutes, Fisher 36, Bynum 35, Gasol 32, and Odom 29. One could argue that the Lakers must have been fatigued in the fourth, and that is why they came up short. However, I was present at this game and let me tell you, the Lakers did not slow down at all. They were playing top notch all the way down the stretch. Basically, two of the NBA’s top teams played at an extremely elite level for 48 minutes, and the Spurs came out on top due to their superior play in the closing minutes.
Now for the recent 105-99 victory over the Defending Champion Boston Celtics in the Garden. In this game, the Celtics shot 51% from the field with 11 turnovers. The Celtics made 3 three pointers, but only took 11 so the 27% shooting looks worse than it was. The Spurs did a fantastic job of chasing the Celtics off the three point line. The Celtics clearly wanted to win this game, as was shown by Doc River’s choice to not play the bench. Tony Allen, at 18 minutes, was the only bench player to play more than 13 minutes. The five Boston starters all played 34 minutes or more. The Spurs matched the Celtics’ elite play and the game came down to the wire. The Spurs are great at finishing close games and came out victorious with a key shot by Roger Mason and a great defensive play by Bruce Bowen and Manu Ginobili.
Two of the best teams in the NBA played arguably as well as possible and the Spurs took the punches and won in the closing minutes. These two games have injected the Spurs with confidence and look for them to build a decent win streak in the coming weeks. The only upcoming game that makes me nervous is the game against Cleveland on the 27th. However, the Spurs match up very well with Cleveland and if the Spurs recent play is any indication, Cleveland better show up ready for a battle.
ESPN analysts have made excuses for the Lakers and Celtics. For the Lakers, they were on the second game of a back to back and were missing several bench players. For the Celtics, they were emotionally distraught from the loss to the Lakers two games before the Spurs beat them. Forget about these excuses for a moment as we examine these games. I will attempt to prove that both teams played as close to perfect in these games as possible, and the Spurs still beat them. I wrote about the Spurs winning the vast majority of close games this season. If the Spurs can keep a game close, they win most of the time. The Spurs are adept to getting stops in the closing minutes, and executing flawlessly for critical scores.
First, let us take a look at the Spurs 112-111 victory over the Lakers. The Lakers shot 57% from the field and 56% from three point land while committing only 11 turnovers. Because their bench was unavailable, the Lakers were forced to play their starters playoff minutes. This is greatly responsible for their absurd shooting percentages. Kobe played 42 minutes, Fisher 36, Bynum 35, Gasol 32, and Odom 29. One could argue that the Lakers must have been fatigued in the fourth, and that is why they came up short. However, I was present at this game and let me tell you, the Lakers did not slow down at all. They were playing top notch all the way down the stretch. Basically, two of the NBA’s top teams played at an extremely elite level for 48 minutes, and the Spurs came out on top due to their superior play in the closing minutes.
Now for the recent 105-99 victory over the Defending Champion Boston Celtics in the Garden. In this game, the Celtics shot 51% from the field with 11 turnovers. The Celtics made 3 three pointers, but only took 11 so the 27% shooting looks worse than it was. The Spurs did a fantastic job of chasing the Celtics off the three point line. The Celtics clearly wanted to win this game, as was shown by Doc River’s choice to not play the bench. Tony Allen, at 18 minutes, was the only bench player to play more than 13 minutes. The five Boston starters all played 34 minutes or more. The Spurs matched the Celtics’ elite play and the game came down to the wire. The Spurs are great at finishing close games and came out victorious with a key shot by Roger Mason and a great defensive play by Bruce Bowen and Manu Ginobili.
Two of the best teams in the NBA played arguably as well as possible and the Spurs took the punches and won in the closing minutes. These two games have injected the Spurs with confidence and look for them to build a decent win streak in the coming weeks. The only upcoming game that makes me nervous is the game against Cleveland on the 27th. However, the Spurs match up very well with Cleveland and if the Spurs recent play is any indication, Cleveland better show up ready for a battle.
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