Pau plays and shines in another victory against the Wolves but Lakers lose Bynum
20/03/2010 12:11:00
Apparently no sign of tonsillitis. Pau played good enough, as if he hadn't been ill three days, and his complete performance, along with another good day as a team, served to add another win, although again without shine (104-96) to the Wolves. The worst news was Bynum's left Achilles strain.
Nothing new at Lakerdom. Lakers won, and is their fifth straight victory. And they did not shine because they lost in the middle of the third quarter 68-66. And there's nothing new about recent games, because Kobe again was generous and helped his team mates, which is almost always synonymous with success. And almost everyone involved again. And again demonstrated that Pau has recovered his form, even if he did not practice Thursday and continued weak due to tonsillitis.
And unfortunately there is nothing new to see Bynum injured. This time they weren't the knees, but the a left Achilles strain early in the third quarter, which led him to the locker room and for sure out of the games next week in the hard trip, and maybe for the rest of the regular season.
His absence will be important because was becoming mature and getting a better coupling than ever with Pau. Finally the two were compatible on the court and shining together and separately. Even against the Timberwolves Lakers took notice. Not that it was key to the failure to win brilliantly, but until then were 10 up and then received a run that led them to be behind on the scoreboard. A subsequent 15-0 quickly dispelled any fears about the victory that seemed certain from the beginning and was the number 51, which obviously ensures a playoff spot.
The game started with Kobe scoring and assisting to Pau and Bynum. It was a very similar script to that seen in previous games. It seems that Kobe has understood that it is time to involve everyone. It's good and practical to do so, but certainly in the playoffs and in decisive moments he will be Kobe again. Lakers won by 11 in the first quarter and as often the level was worse on the second, but differences remained at halftime. The concern increased in the third quarter, more by Bynum's injury that by the comeback of the Wolves. The rapid reaction of the Lakers again gave them the same advantage, which remained at the end of the game.
Kobe finished with 22 points and a bad 4 of only 11 shots, 1 of 5 three pointers, but a great 13 of 14 free throws, 13 assists, season record, 4 steals and 5 turnovers. Pau did not notice, so it seemed, the illness of the last days. From the beginning seemed active, and even didn't have too much rest, being 35 minutes on the court because of Bynum's injury and a result that never was too clear. Pau is in the same line of the last four games. Is growing, and if he ratifies it, as the rest of the team, on the trip which begins on Wednesday, will reach the highest level for the playoffs. This time he stayed on 17 points after 7 of 13 shots, 3 of 3 free throws, 14 rebounds, is the 30th double double of the season, 4 assists, 2 steals, 1 block and 2 turnovers in another complete performance.
Six lakers made at least 10 points. Before leaving injured, Bynum got 11 points and 5 rebounds. Odom replaced him and will do it, and as in most cases was and will be an insurance for the team, doing it less important Andrew's absence. Lamar got 18 points, but 11 in the fourth quarter to seal the win, especially with the 3-pointers, making 4 of 6. He stayed in only 4 rebounds, but Lamar thought this time in shooting. It's a complete player, one of the keys of these Lakers. Artest with 10 points, still is not, still must justify his hiring, something which is expected to happen during the playoffs. After several games with less minutes, Farmar had a good night again with 12 points and 6 rebounds, taking advantage of Fisher's physical problems and rest. Also Brown added 8 points.
Minnesota, the second worst team in the league, again didn't seem it as always happens when a weak rival meet Lakers. They shot better, and even joined a rebound more than Californians, but died from turnovers, 19 which gave way to 26 points from Lakers, that improve on defense. Flynn was the leading scorer with 20 points, while the most complete were the big men. Love, with 19 points and 11 rebounds, and the reborn Milicic, with 16 and 12, both taking advantage of Bynum's injury and Odom's happy day, focusing in the shot. Jefferson had 14 points and 9 rebounds.
On Sunday, also at Staples, the game against the Wizards will not be very different from this Friday. A rival without options that will grow by visiting the champion. But it will be another victory, and the tough five-game prologue, with visits to four challenging courts of the West, starting with San Antonio on Wednesday and ending in Atlanta before returning to Los Angeles, who knows, with Bynum recovered, and maybe with the chance of fighting with Cleveland or at least don't suffer to maintain second place overall in the league.