Lakers Survive Ariza Bowl I
Damn, girl! I need a cigarette after that one.
For three quarters the Los Angeles Lakers dragged ass through the tail end of a road back-to-back, looking every bit as sluggish and heavy-legged as you'd expect. Having played overtime last night and with Pau Gasol still in business attire, a fourth-quarter fade to a frisky Houston Rockets team seemed likely. The Rockets looked fresher and springier and were repeatedly finding their way to loose balls. A Laker loss would have been frustrating, and yet understandable under the circumstances.
But after resting the first two minutes of the fourth quarter, during which the Rockets worked over the Laker reserves to build a seven-point lead, Kobe Bryant checked back into the game and dragged the Lakers into Playoff Mode. He scored 10 of the Lakers' 19 points in the fourth period while being guarded by longtime foe Shane Battier. Kobe's feed to Ron Artest for a three with 30 seconds appeared likely to cement the comeback, but Trevor Ariza, facing his former employer for the first time, answered with his own triple on the Rockets' last possession to send the game to OT.
Yeah, it was that kinda game.
Nothing was easy or especially pretty for the Lakers in the extra stanza. Aaron Brooks and - yes, you're reading this correctly - Chuck Hayes worked the drive-and-dish to keep Houston in it. But Andrew Bynum made three of four late free-throw attempts to give the Lakers a one point lead. Attempting to drive the lane with less than 10 seconds to play, Ariza got stripped by Derek Fisher to seal the Laker win.
This game gives us oodles to talk over, so have at it below. Your Lakers are now 34-1.
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32 comments
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Comments
what the hell?
fish 0-5 with 0 points???
oh well we won!!!
and we get gasol back friday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When I look at Boris Diaw, I think of Beethoven and the age of the romantics... -The Great Bill Walton
Sprained elbow, apparently
Knock on wood that it’s nothing serious.
by DexterFishmore on Nov 4, 2009 9:11 PM PST up reply actions
yes me to
I feel the same about Bynum. Normally I wouldn’t worry but with Bynum I have to brace myself. dam it!
first thing tommorow morning, like I do every morning, I’m to go nuts for Lakers news.
"When I walked into the locker room on my first day as a Laker and saw my gold uniform hanging there, I cried." - Magic Johnson (Best Laker Ever)
by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Nov 4, 2009 9:18 PM PST up reply actions
shouldn't be too bad
since he could make a free throw after that
still, hopefully it’s as minor as possible
hopefully hes ok
When I look at Boris Diaw, I think of Beethoven and the age of the romantics... -The Great Bill Walton
I'm increasingly becoming more impressed with Artest
Sure, he has taken a few shots out of the offense and forced a few, but by and large, it’s been great having him on the team. His shot is starting to fall, and with Gasol returning soon, that just means more open looks, which should fall be falling now unlike pre-season.
Even though these last couple wins haven’t been pretty, it’s nice to be challenged and come out victorious on the other end. Hopefully that will pay dividends on the season showing the team that they can’t get complacent, especially after what happened against Dallas.
by stephens on Nov 4, 2009 9:13 PM PST reply actions 2 recs
I’m liking Artest better too. The thing I like most is that he is active and making plays. Seemed like he and Kobe stepped up when needed to win the game.
The last 2 games were sloppy but I am surprised that we won either with Pau out, Kobe sick, OT, back-to-back, etc. Time to enjoy the win and move on. Hopefully things will get back to more normal.
And yes I am a 2009 World Champion Fan.
by olf on Nov 5, 2009 8:10 AM PST up reply actions
Dallas and New Orleans in OT
After Dallas missed 3 straight FTs that would have iced the game (they were up three) , Peja hit is only shot of the night, a three pointer to tie it
"This is not a game for boys. This is a game for men." - Phil Jackson
i just saw the shot by Peja
Sick!!!!!!
"When I walked into the locker room on my first day as a Laker and saw my gold uniform hanging there, I cried." - Magic Johnson (Best Laker Ever)
by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Nov 4, 2009 9:19 PM PST up reply actions
UGH NEED TOOTHPASTE
To wash out back to back foul taste left by the Lakers’ stinkbomb of a win.
I know they say a win is a win, but good lord have we not learned ANYTHING from the Magic’s Game 4?!
Three point lead at the end of regulation and we let TA tie it!!!! AGGGGGGHHH
I love TA and all ,but come ON
Back to back OTs ugh
Ugly ugly wins … but I suppose I’ll take it. I would have been hella even more pissed if the Lakers had lost and forced me to watch b2b crapfests.
Still, I couldn’t help pining for TA. Seeing him in the Rockets jersey and laughing with the LA players made me wish he was still on the team. I want him back :)
Ron had a good game, I’m glad to see he’s been playing well. Fish has become a black hole on offense :(
Bench was less sucky but crappy nonetheless …
Hopefully Drew will be alright and Pau’s able to make a full recovery. I don’t think I can stand to see how badly our offense is operating without him.
Lakers 2009 Road to Redemption: TREVOR, DEREK, LAMAR, PAU & KOBE.
Play the game of which Lakers reminds you of: TA - TI, Shannon Brown - Chris Brown, Pau Gasol - Jesus, Machine - Luis Scola/Russell Brand, PJ with mustache and beard - Colonel Sanders.
by PeanutButterSpread on Nov 4, 2009 10:18 PM PST reply actions
Compliments and Concerns
Bryant’s trust in Artest late was a huge key to the win, I think. If Artest feels comfortable in the offense, he WILL start shooting more, but he can do more with the ball than Ariza. (We miss you, #3!) I didn’t like the offense this game, besides Kobe (and even some of his shots were, as usual, questionable at best), Bynum needs to go up stronger, Brown shouldn’t drift 10 yards in the air before firing, and Odom didn’t have shooting stroke today, but Kobe and Artest (and Bynum, we have to give the kid credit) pulled the Lakers through.
I can’t wait for Artest to get more open looks with Gasol coming back. Imagine the possibilities!
Also, Farmar played an excellent game tonight, I thought. So far, he is looking like the long term solution, and not Shannon.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Vader-style
but in all seriousness, I hope Drew catches a break this time and the injury isn’t too bad. He seriously needs a season of at least 70+ games played.
Lakers 2009 Road to Redemption: TREVOR, DEREK, LAMAR, PAU & KOBE.
Play the game of which Lakers reminds you of: TA - TI, Shannon Brown - Chris Brown, Pau Gasol - Jesus, Machine - Luis Scola/Russell Brand, PJ with mustache and beard - Colonel Sanders.
by PeanutButterSpread on Nov 4, 2009 10:38 PM PST up reply actions
dont worry
he just needs some rest
the game on friday shouldnt be too taxing for him…
When I look at Boris Diaw, I think of Beethoven and the age of the romantics... -The Great Bill Walton
Yeah
good thing they’ll have a day off tomorrow and hopefully Pau’ll be back in time for Friday.
Lakers 2009 Road to Redemption: TREVOR, DEREK, LAMAR, PAU & KOBE.
Play the game of which Lakers reminds you of: TA - TI, Shannon Brown - Chris Brown, Pau Gasol - Jesus, Machine - Luis Scola/Russell Brand, PJ with mustache and beard - Colonel Sanders.
by PeanutButterSpread on Nov 4, 2009 10:42 PM PST up reply actions
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
again :(
Lakers 2009 Road to Redemption: TREVOR, DEREK, LAMAR, PAU & KOBE.
Play the game of which Lakers reminds you of: TA - TI, Shannon Brown - Chris Brown, Pau Gasol - Jesus, Machine - Luis Scola/Russell Brand, PJ with mustache and beard - Colonel Sanders.
by PeanutButterSpread on Nov 5, 2009 1:22 AM PST up reply actions
seriously, dont play him against the Grizzlies.
The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist.
Maybe its not such a bad thing that he’ll miss the game on Friday. It is against Memphis afteralll….
Agreed
Bench Bynum!!
DJ Mbenga, grizzlie killer to the rescue!!!
Lakers 2009 Road to Redemption: TREVOR, DEREK, LAMAR, PAU & KOBE.
Play the game of which Lakers reminds you of: TA - TI, Shannon Brown - Chris Brown, Pau Gasol - Jesus, Machine - Luis Scola/Russell Brand, PJ with mustache and beard - Colonel Sanders.
by PeanutButterSpread on Nov 5, 2009 1:31 AM PST up reply actions
Time to pat myself on the back
But did I mention that Rockets getting two points from the bookmakers would be a good bet?
Oh yeah, I did
Just looked up the odds at Yahoo!
And Los Angeles is favored by 2 points. On the road!
IF I gambled (which I don’t) I’d feel comfortable betting on Houston tonight. It’d be a good risk to take.
I’m still rooting for the Lakers, shhhhheee.
“This is not a game for boys. This is a game for men.” – Phil Jackson
by Gils_Keloids on Nov 4, 2009 11:00 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
It was the best of both worlds: The Rockets covered the two point spread, and the Lakers won!
"This is not a game for boys. This is a game for men." - Phil Jackson
how does this gambling thing work?
does it mean if I betted 5 dollars on the Lakers to win, I would win 10 dollars?
Lakers 2009 Road to Redemption: TREVOR, DEREK, LAMAR, PAU & KOBE.
Play the game of which Lakers reminds you of: TA - TI, Shannon Brown - Chris Brown, Pau Gasol - Jesus, Machine - Luis Scola/Russell Brand, PJ with mustache and beard - Colonel Sanders.
by PeanutButterSpread on Nov 4, 2009 10:44 PM PST up reply actions
If you betted 5 dollars on the Lakers to win against the spread
You would have won five dollars (and gotten your five dollars back) IF the Lakers won by more than 2 points.
They only won by one point so you would have lost your five dollars.
So you should have bet on Houston against the spread.
Better yet, don’t gamble.
"This is not a game for boys. This is a game for men." - Phil Jackson
by Gils_Keloids on Nov 5, 2009 12:36 AM PST up reply actions
Don't gamble.
sage advice lol
Lakers 2009 Road to Redemption: TREVOR, DEREK, LAMAR, PAU & KOBE.
Play the game of which Lakers reminds you of: TA - TI, Shannon Brown - Chris Brown, Pau Gasol - Jesus, Machine - Luis Scola/Russell Brand, PJ with mustache and beard - Colonel Sanders.
by PeanutButterSpread on Nov 5, 2009 1:30 AM PST up reply actions
Amazing, just Amazing
How Hollinger will use statistics in whichever manner suits him:
As for Artest versus Ariza, statistically it was basically a draw — each player had 15 points.
Err no, it wasn’t a draw, it was a unanimous decision to Artest, as Ariza took 21 shots to get his 15 points, while Artest took only 14. Here’s a statistic: 21 is 50% more than 14.
I don’t really care too much about the man to man comparisons myself, but it is worth pointing out how people spin certain events to their liking.
"This is not a game for boys. This is a game for men." - Phil Jackson
Hollinger
Hollinger of all people loves efficiency, one of the main reasons he ranks Lebron over Kobe so that makes his assessment even worse. I tend to be skeptical of the people who say Hollinger has an agenda against the Lakers, yada yada, but I can’t really see how he came to that conclusion through his normal thought process.
Huge win last night
Not huge in the sense that the Lakers needed it, but it was huge in making me feel like this is the same team as last year. In the big moments, they tend to come through.
And if Bynum misses any amount of time because of an intentional and very hard foul, why isn’t anybody calling Chuck Hayes dirty? You take a swipe at somebody like that, not caring if you hurt them or not?. Fucked up even if you are just trying to win.
Hey Trevor 5-21? Thanks for the help.
You gotta expect a win against a decent team without Gasol to be hard fought. Great job Lakers for toughing out difficulty these last 2 (official biased againt Artest/Lakers) games.

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