Lakers play hard to get a prestigious win in Phoenix
13/03/2010 12:30:00
After a bad first quarter, Lakers played hard on defense and turned the match in the second and were 15 up after the halftime in Phoenix. The Suns responded and came back at the beginning of the fourth quarter, but Los Angeles did not want to lose again on road and thanks to a great collective effort finally got the win (102-96).
Five straight losses away from Staples would be too many. After a poor first quarter in which Stoudemire made 17 points and 8 rebounds, Lakers responded like a team playing well in the movement of the ball and in the collective and individual defense. Finally a consistent win to clear some doubts.
Much remains to be done to be the team that won the ring last year, but this is the way. Not that the Suns are the biggest rival of the future, neither the team nor the harder court, but even if they didn't have Frye and Barbosa, played agains the Lakers after a good streak and 5 days resting. Everything seemed to go wrong in the first quarter, when despite Lopez's fouls, the Lakers were unable to stop Stoudemire. They were lost.
But everything changed in the second quarter, in which Stoudemire entered lated and the Lakers improved on defense, allowing the Suns only 15 points, and progressed in attack. The good image continued in the third quarter, they were up by 15. But the Lakers do not know how to kill games, that's a classic, and Phoenix gradually reduced the difference and finally came back at the beginning of the fourth quarter.
Lakers stayed focused, continued to defend and moving the ball to to certify a 12-1 run that assured the win and finallya peaceful end. The end of the run was the free throws after a technical to the Suns' coach, who reacted against the referee because he did not call a clear flagrant foul by Pau on the warrior Amundson. A symbolic foul. Although too hard, and Gasol is a very clean player, he expressed the his willingness and that of the team to be strong, be tough when they have to be. And although it was not a dirty game and not aggressive it was hard and intense.
Amundson, alongside with Collins gave the Suns energy in the game inside, where Lopez failed and Stoudemire was responsible for scoring. He even blocked consecutively Pau and Kobe. The Lakers gave back the intensity, the blocks and what was required, and that cemented the victory. And on offense played as team, with assists and five starters scoring at least 15 points each.
Kobe was the best, but what he did best was playing as a team. He finished with 21 points after 7 of 16, 1 of 5 three pointers, 6 of 9 free throws, 10 rebounds and 8 assists, near triple-double to offset 7 turnovers. He suffered another blow on the finger in the third quarter, helping to continue searching for his teammates.
Pau started badly but he improved with the minutes on defense and attack, but he is not in his best moment. And even then still adding double-doubles or staying very close. Scored 15 points after 7 of 11 shots, better in the second half, and a surprisingly weak 1 for 5 free throws that should not be repeated. He grabbed 8 rebounds, short, but used the energy in defense, especially on Amundson. He made 4 blocks, 2 steals and his foul with 5 minutes left expresses his commitment and desire, although he lacks still the touch. Also gave 3 assists. Should improve shooting, has lost touch with the initial injuries, to give more assists and be more alert throughout the game. It's about time, the best of not living his best moment is that if all goes well he will reach it during the playoffs.
The effort of all the starters was very good. Bynum again had a good night on offense with 18 points after 8 of 12 shots and 9 rebounds. Artest and Fisher added 15 points each, with good percentages in 3-pointers, illustrating the team's success in this facet, providing 3 each. The Lakers made the 49.4% of the shots and 36% of the 3-points, failing in free throws, with 59%. From the bench Brown got 9 points and gave good minutes of intensity, like Vujacic, with 3 points, defense and a good attitude struggling to return to be important for the team. Odom did not shine this time, with 4 points and 4 rebounds -Powell should play more-, and Farmar didn't score again, suffering sore hand.
Stoudemire was the best for the Suns but dicreased with the minutes. Finally got 29 points after 10 of 22 shots and 9 of 11 free throws, plus 16 rebounds. Richardson, well defended by Kobe, failed too much but made 16 points, while Nash did not shine much as usual and stayed on 14 points and 8 assists. Hill got 13 points, while Lopez disappointed with 6. From the bench Amundson and Collins fought for it, especially the first, who scored 11 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and made 4 blocks.
Lakers (48-18) still maintain the deficit of victories with Cleveland, but also the distance over Dallas and Nuggets. It won't be easy to reach the Cavaliers, but playing well is not in danger the second place overall and first in the West. And if they keep improving, and what showed in Phoenix is the way to do it again, can regain confidence and not caring by not having the home court advantage in the possible Finals. To prove the improvement, Lakers will play two more games in a row outside of Los Angeles, on Monday, visiting the Warriors and on Tuesday playing on the Kings' court.