This pretty much sums up the night.
Friday, May 23 Recap:
- Lakers defeat 3) Spurs 101-71: Kobe Bryant scored 22 points, and also added 5 assists and 5 rebounds, Lamar Odom added 20 and 12 boards, and the Lakers easily defeat the Spurs and go up 2-0 in the series. Tony Parker had 13 points, and Tim Duncan had 12 and 16 boards as the Spurs head home with the same 0-2 as in the last round.
Stud of the Night: Lamar Odom. 20 points, 12 boards, 4 blocks, and just an overall solid performance from the Lakers big man, and his team heads on the road in good shape.
[quote]Xeneize wrote:
tmoney1 wrote:
I’m guessing they control most of the game and win by a small margin.[/quote]
Yup, small margin alright. LOL.
And by the way, still doing an awesome job on the pics, they are phenomenal!!! They really make the thread a lot better, and are different than the pics that can be seen on any website. Close to the action, clearer, just better pictures you provide.
Keep em coming Xeneize, they are much appreciated!!
Just my little prediction for the Eastern Finals. Boston comes into detroit and wins game three in a close one saturday night.
Game 4 ray ray goes off and makes believe he is on the set of “he got game” dropping 40 or so on the pistons as the C’s steam roll detroit in the Second “Memorial Day Massacre”.
Game 5 Detroit plays inspired and tough bball with their backs against the wall and wins another in Boston.
Game 6 Detroit wins a close one but seems in control all game.
Game 7 An absolute classic as Paul Pierce solidfies his spot as the greatest pure scorer to ever put on the green when he leads the Celts to a come from behind victory.
From what I ve seen of the Western finals the spurs and the lakers are two very good teams. I still think the Spurs are gonna pull this one off, as long as they can stifle the scoring runs the lakers go on, man those guys can fill it up in a hurry.
[quote]tmoney1 wrote:
Xeneize wrote:
tmoney1 wrote:
I’m guessing they control most of the game and win by a small margin.
Yup, small margin alright. LOL.
[/quote]
LOL.
Hey, I got the first part right! “I’m guessing they control most of the game…”
I had a feeling the Lakers would lead pretty much from start to finish, just didn’t think the game would get out of hand.
As Phil Jackson observed:
“I think they had an off-night. I think they had some tired legs and I think that’s what happens sometimes. You get to playing a lot of playoff games back to back, we’re every other day in this situation. Kind of crept up on them, perhaps.”
yea its just too bad for the spurs they couldnt have held on to game 1, now they really have to play hard at home
The lakers have the best group of talent in nba, I’m only worried about their maturity when it gets rough. I knew lakers would win tonight not be this much, but their confidence from game 1 showed. If spurs can’t win both at home its over, and I’m pretty sure they can’t.
I’d be shocked if the Spurs didn’t win a game at home, but I’m hoping Kobe and the krew steal one on the road.
I think it is kind of interesting that Popovich is so quick to put all his starters on the bench and essentially forfeit the game. I guess he knows his squad, and knows that they don’t often go on scoring tears, but still. The Lakers busted the 20 point Spurs advantage in under 5 minutes. Meanwhile, with 9 minutes remaining in the 4th, he benched his starters and ended the game.
I understand the logic behind it. It’s a best of 7 series, their squad is not fully rested, if they go full tilt to try and squeak out a win, they could be in worse shape for the next games, they can afford to drop one game, especially if the extra rest helps them come strong in the next…etc. But I just can’t see that strategy working against a younger, more athletic, more hungry team like the Lakers.
Generally, I think Popovich is a little bit too substitution happy. He’s like the polar opposite to Phil Jackson’s general policy of letting the players do their thing + routine subs at specific intervals. Popovich seems to sub someone in at every dead ball.
But still… can’t argue with results, Pop has won 4 titles with this team, and these methods.
Final thought. If the Lakers can keep up with their defensive intensity, they will win the Championship. No doubt in my mind. Not only that, but it won’t be a 7 game series either.
Boston is a better scoring team than the Spurs, but of the remaining 4 teams, the Lakers are clearly the leaders in the points per game measure.
So far, this Spurs series has shown that when the Lakers click defensively, they can basically keep scoring at will, something that they do quite well.
Some thoughts on tonight’s Lakers-Spurs game:
Kobe is the best player alive. Sure, that seems obvious, but as he has said, he no longer takes “butter knives into a gun fight.” Now that he has real weapons around him, the Lakers are serious title threats for the next 3-4 years. Good time to be a Lakers fan. Can’t wait for next season, when Bynum returns and integrates into this group.
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Trying to defend Kobe is so difficult because he can score from anywhere, is a good passer and a great defender. The passes he whips in to Gasol would have ended up in the fifth row when Kwame Brown was there. Kobe is also a great defender. Lamar Odom can play as a third option and it’s a role that fits him perfectly on both ends of the court.
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When you can keep Tony Parker from driving at will, the odds of beating the Spurs increase enormously. Parker shot 6-15 from the field in Game 2 and had as many turnovers as assists, 4.
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Ginobili has struggled against the Lakers all year (He is 19-56 from the floor against LA this year). His effectiveness against the Hornets has been absent against LA. He just doesn’t have the defensive mismatches that allow him to create and wreak havoc.
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When the Lakers’ bench is clicking, as it was tonight, they are nearly impossible to beat. Farmar had his best career playoff game (14 points) and Walton and Sasha made solid contributions.
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When Derek Fisher is on his game, dropping bombs from outside and playing actively on defense, it just opens up even more opportunities for Kobe to control the game.
With all that said, the Spurs are always tough at home and being blown out will have little effect on them. Just as they rebounded from being thrashed in the first two games against N.O., I expect them to come back and play a very strong game in Game 3. The Lakers will have to play near perfect to beat them. LA has shown that they play well on the road, so it should be a great game. I think the Lakers can steal one, probably Game 4.
I am glad the Spurs are getting beat. They are not an exciting team to watch at all. Their style of play is boring. A pistons Spurs match-up would be horrible for the NBA.
I hope the Spurs lose every game and are shut-out!
While Game 2 had to be discouraging for the Spurs, I still think some of you guys are pulling a hair trigger when shooting down the Spurs.
They’re getting old, but this current crop of Spurs didn’t win three rings (and come this close to at least one more) by accident.
San Antonio will NOT get swept. Period. I still think it’s even money as to whether they head back to LA 2-2. As long as the Spurs win at home, they only need to get one in LA to win the series, and LA hasn’t won anything in SA yet.
Ask NO what two home blowouts in Games 1 and 2 mean to SA.
LAL has to be feeling good right now, but this series is certainly not over. If they think it is, then SA will bloody their noses in Games 3 and 4.
[quote]tGunslinger wrote:
While Game 2 had to be discouraging for the Spurs, I still think some of you guys are pulling a hair trigger when shooting down the Spurs.
They’re getting old, but this current crop of Spurs didn’t win three rings (and come this close to at least one more) by accident.
San Antonio will NOT get swept. Period. I still think it’s even money as to whether they head back to LA 2-2. As long as the Spurs win at home, they only need to get one in LA to win the series, and LA hasn’t won anything in SA yet.
Ask NO what two home blowouts in Games 1 and 2 mean to SA.
LAL has to be feeling good right now, but this series is certainly not over. If they think it is, then SA will bloody their noses in Games 3 and 4.[/quote]
You’re right – SA will not get swept. By anybody. Though I’ll be rooting for the Lakers in Game 3, I would be SHOCKED if LA pulled it out.
Good call by some of you in here on a Game 3 Boston victory. The Celtics got that road monkey off their backs and played great right from the outset.
The Pistons are damn good, but sometimes, they’re like Mike Tyson – if you can be a bigger bully and get over on them, they sometimes shrink. The Celtics were Holyfield tonight.
Saturday, May 24 Recap:
- Celtics defeat 2) Pistons 94-80: Kevin Garnett had 22 points, 13 boards, and 6 dimes, and all five Celtics starters scored in double figures as the Celtics get their first road win of the 2008 NBA Playoffs and go up 2-1 in the series. Rip Hamilton had 26 points, and Rodney Stuckey added 17 points off the bench for the Pistons.
Stud(s) of the Night: Boston Celtics. Just when no one thought they could win on the road, the Celtics proved critics wrong and go into a tough place to play and steal a win from the Pistons. The game was kinda close at the end, but the Celtics pulled away for a huge road victory and momentum for game 4.
Two notes:
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After this playoff run is over, I won’t be doing the nightly updates and studs of the night. I don’t think it provides a benefit for anyone. I still plan on starting the thread next year, but just making comments when necessary.
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I’m really impressed with the way Rodney Stuckey has played in the playoffs so far. He had 17 points tonight off the bench for the Pistons, and did a good job running point when Chauncey Billups was out last round vs. the Magic. He’s improved his game a lot, and is a good fit for the Pistons.
Excellence analysis Xeneize. Agree on all points.
Just want to emphasize that Lamar Odom is very underrated and is a great fit for the Lakers. He knows his role very well, and can give you many options on the court.
Totally agree on Parker and Ginobili. They rely on defensive mismatches of some sort for their games to be great. When those options are closed, their respective games are shut down. That is bad news for the Spurs. Duncan is the only one who can thrive in any situation, and can take on anything that is thrown at him.
Agree on D-Fish. When his shot is falling and his defense is spot on, it’s all day for the Lakers show.
Look forward to an exciting game 3!
[quote]Xeneize wrote:
Some thoughts on tonight’s Lakers-Spurs game:
Kobe is the best player alive. Sure, that seems obvious, but as he has said, he no longer takes “butter knives into a gun fight.” Now that he has real weapons around him, the Lakers are serious title threats for the next 3-4 years. Good time to be a Lakers fan. Can’t wait for next season, when Bynum returns and integrates into this group.
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Trying to defend Kobe is so difficult because he can score from anywhere, is a good passer and a great defender. The passes he whips in to Gasol would have ended up in the fifth row when Kwame Brown was there. Kobe is also a great defender. Lamar Odom can play as a third option and it’s a role that fits him perfectly on both ends of the court.
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When you can keep Tony Parker from driving at will, the odds of beating the Spurs increase enormously. Parker shot 6-15 from the field in Game 2 and had as many turnovers as assists, 4.
-
Ginobili has struggled against the Lakers all year (He is 19-56 from the floor against LA this year). His effectiveness against the Hornets has been absent against LA. He just doesn’t have the defensive mismatches that allow him to create and wreak havoc.
-
When the Lakers’ bench is clicking, as it was tonight, they are nearly impossible to beat. Farmar had his best career playoff game (14 points) and Walton and Sasha made solid contributions.
-
When Derek Fisher is on his game, dropping bombs from outside and playing actively on defense, it just opens up even more opportunities for Kobe to control the game.
With all that said, the Spurs are always tough at home and being blown out will have little effect on them. Just as they rebounded from being thrashed in the first two games against N.O., I expect them to come back and play a very strong game in Game 3. The Lakers will have to play near perfect to beat them. LA has shown that they play well on the road, so it should be a great game. I think the Lakers can steal one, probably Game 4.
[/quote]
I knew the Celts would kick the road monkey, Celts in 6. Nice to see Ray back to his old self again.