Lakers add second straight win away from Staples
16/03/2010 15:37:00
The best news is the Lakers in Oakland joined their third straight victory (124-121), the second out after four defeats away from Staples, and also with a remarkable Pau. The worst part is that despite the physical superiority, which indicates the difference in rebounds, suffered against the Warriors because of turnovers, nearly having to play an overtime.
It is true that the Warriors play strange, run and run, with no inside game, they are not an exemplary game to take in consideration for the future during the playoffs. Playing in Oakland is difficult due to this, but more for the Lakers, usually unaccustomed to defending - this time allowed 100 shots- and almost always miss a large lead because of distractions.
In this case the diversion is called turnover and the quantification is 24. No less than 24, which led to 29 points against. That kept alive the Warriors. Even they had two 3-pointers in the last second to tie it and send it to overtime, but the ball would want to go in -it walked around the basket-, and the Lakers joined the second straight win away from home.
Before that had won the first quarter by 7 after doing 39 points, fell asleep in the second, scoring only 20 points and reaching the break trailing by 6 points. In the third quarter was shown the best, a good offense, with Pau, Kobe, Fisher highlighting, and finally a good defense. Despite a 7-point lead to face the fourth quarter, the Lakers still failed to assure the game and suffered again, with the only difference that this time the miracle was not Kobe's basket, but avoiding the last one from Warriors.
Kobe led Lakers scorers with 29 points, but his game was not so good, because despite achieving them after 9 of 18 shots, 2 of 4 three-pointers and 9 of 11 free throws, finished with 9 turnovers. The ball was slipping from his hands. Not to Pau, who made his best game in weeks. Took advantage of the physical superiority, got 26 points after 10 of 13 attempts, finally good percentages, and 6 of 10 free throws, still needs to improve on one aspect in which didn't usually fail as much as done lately. Also added 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 block and 1 turnover in 35 minutes. A remarkable improvement. Good news, as the playoffs approach.
Bynum had a complete game in the positive with 19 points after 6 of 11 and 7 of 8 free throws, plus 14 rebounds, 7 on offense, and 3 blocks. His Achilles heel were also turnovers, no less than 8. Artest scored 12 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists, while Fisher also got 9 points and added 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Odom made a good game from the bench, joining Pau and Bynum in the superior inside game with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Brown was well with 9 points and 5 rebounds.
The Warriors made many points, as usual, with all the starters over 10 points. With Bell, Turiaf and Radmanovic injured and with no more goals in the season, enough did to scare the Lakers until the end. Curry was the best with 29 points, 9 assists and 5 rebounds. Hunter, as false center, had 22 points and 7 rebounds. Ellis finished with 13 points, 11 rebounds and 5 steals, while Maggette and Tolliver completed the starters with 18 and 14 points. From the bench George and Watson helped with 13 and 9 points.
A team which beats the rival 56-25 in rebounds and 34-12 in free throws clearly should be imposed. But the Lakers are not a normal team, for better or for worse, so they suffered to the end due to the 24 turnovers. Another lackluster victory, as that achieved with the Raptors. In the middle was the triumph of prestige in Phoenix. The conclusion is that the Lakers do not improve steadily in their game, but at least they have broken the 4-game losing streak away from Staples (49-18). On Tuesday, to finish the mini-tour through Northern California they paly in Sacramento. The Kings will not be easy, even less than the Warriors, so if don't improve, it will be necessary another miracle.