Damn, where do I start?
It would appear that the turnovers killed them tonight if you want to write off a loss at home like that, and it's not far from the truth (no pun inteded), but on a night where Kobe has an overall average night from the field, as a team we shoot under 50% from the line giving up 22 easy points where we usually convert, come off a back to back road game missing our Big guy once again to take on the reigning champs on their home court... then I'd say there's more to worry about than just trunovers.
Who says we don't play defense? I've read that the Lakers downplay to their opponent and it was evident tonight. Yes we give up too many points but nine times out of ten we get it done and that's why we're number 1 in the West and now number 1 in the NBA overall just ahead of Cleveland which makes mondays game something to mark on the Calendar. We're starting to work them out, we might not be the most defensive minded team in the league but we can get it done when it really counts. Closing the season series with a sweep is a great place to start. Picked alot of pockets and while the blocks were minimal, keep in mind we're playing our starting Power Forward at Center once again. Boston's bad shooting performance can't be put down to just that. Twice we closed out a game in the final seconds to stop some final looks and succeeded both times. Pierce was well covered by Kobe and Allen couldn't get his shot in OT.
Kobe was aggressive early, I liked that. He didn't over do it and went missing for awhile there after the half but reigned down contested threes when it counted like it was nothing. Gasoft? not sure who that is, but Gasol showed us all why he's an All-Star tonight putting up 24 points and grabbing 14 boards. This is the Gasol we want to see more of. He's putting up great numbers lately, keep doing what you're doing! Odom got into trouble but didn't halt his input, made some key baskets down the stretch in the third and fourth and even better getting Garnett in trouble, like Rondo and Paul tried on Kobe. How about our big three? Combining for 70 points! That's what I'm talkin' about!
Garnett fouling out hurt them bad. We did a great job of taking it to him and getting him into trouble. The last foul was a little soft but you don't get yourself in that situation when you got 5 on you. I say keep it up with the pushing and shoving you usually get away with, keep standing over players after calls when the clock is stopped. Lakers ain't scared no more and the refs are catching on to the dirty off ball plays that KG has in the past gotten away with and it showed tonight... [-X All that aside I respect KG's abilities, it's beatuiful thing to watch him play and do what he can and does do for a team. :v:
I wouldn't say the bench won this for us but they did come through in a sense. Farmar and Vujacic hitting those back to back three's when we needed them was perfect. Good to see J Farm showing aggression, he's been a little quieter since the injury but he showed glimpses of what he can do. Josh Powell is one cool cat. Great defensive presence and can hit that long range J when the defense slacks or focus' on our 'go-to' guys. Great addition. Wait until our bench is clicking like earlier in the season and then it's on. Anyone else glad the Radman sat out? Someone's been watching tapes from last season! Thank you Phill!
Probably the best game I've seen this season. Lakers proved tonight that they can get by just fine without Bynum for the remainder of the season. The kid has vowed to be back for playoffs so let's hope they can all click together when it counts like they did tonight. If they do, Nothing can stop them. Way to close out a road series and way to end another Celtic streak. I was hoping for at least 4 out of 6 games in this stretch but now I say
'Bring on Cleveland'!!! What a game that will be and once again, Live on Ten HD!
Yeah I'm talking but we got something to talk up now and more importantly, something to look forward to. I'll be watching the replay of this one tonight for sure with Jack in hand.
(P.S.) BOSTON SUCKS!!!!!
That is all....
