Lakers Overcome Third Quarter Collapse, Subdue Magic

But We won so thats important.

Drew was dealing with a gastrointestinal problem that kept him out in the fourth

But I can’t help but feel a sense of ‘meh’ at the whole thing.

I was busy being informed of how I’d need 7 thousand dollars’ worth of dental surgery (3 teeth pulled, braces, expanders, etc) instead of watching the first half, and I got home at the worst possible time.

In that run of bad offense, it seemed we were just going through the motions. It’s not even the normal argument of not going inside, we went inside several times, but got completely raped (Dwight sending Drew’s jump hook out of bounds comes to mind); we just did everything wrong overall.

I always wonder what the team’s thinking when Derek Fisher takes 3 or 4 shots in a row, some of them stupid shots and some gimmes, and misses them all. By the end of it, I was literally screaming for Phil to put Farmar in.

Farmar stepped up big tonight, putting on his best Kobe impersonation with a timely infusion of offense, creating shots and hitting some tough ones, getting the offense as a whole going. Him and Brown also kickstarted our defense (while it was not statistically terrible, when our offense dried up one could see our defense lacking energy – 2 or 3 wide open threes for Orlando stick out as examples), forcing turnovers like our defense is famous for, leading to many easy scores.

Then we went back to the Triangle, and pretty much put it away. The highlight play would be Pau’s and-1 off the feed from LO, and that play came through textbook Triangle off-ball movement.

Kobe’s actually starting to worry me – he didn’t seem to be particularly affected by either of his injuries today, he was just off. I do wish Phil would sit him when this happens (in lieu of playing him 44 minutes, always a good thing) but I do understand how he attract defensive attention and motivates his teammates.

A well-rounded offensive effort tonight, with 6 players hitting double figures and Bynum and Odom going for 8 and 9, respectively. Only Luke Walton and DJ Mbenga didn’t score, and they only saw spot minutes. We weren’t shooting as well as Orlando, and the rebounding battle went down to a dead heat; we shot more free throws but Orlando took more threes. In the end, what won the game for us was our ability to get steals and force turnovers, as was perfectly illustrated in our fourth quarter run – there were at least 4 steals and forced turnovers in there. 8 to 2 in steals (5 to 12 in turnovers), very nice.

Both Artest’s and Bynum’s minutes were limited tonight, despite playing rather well in the time they got. Dex has an explanation for Bynum not getting back out there, but Artest’s lack of minutes continues to confuse me – it’s becoming a trend.

Our bench really came out as a force tonight, whether it be Odom continuing to gain ground on the rebounding title, Shannon Brown scoring a career high 22 (including one preeetttyyyy fast break lay up, never let it be said all he does is dunk) or Farmar leading the run to give us back the lead. We’ve had a couple performances like that this year, which is a very good sign.

Dwight Howard caught fire in the first half, but through a combination of good defense and SVG not being qualified to even coach at my local gym, only had 2 FGA’s in the second half (1-2).

The Orlando backcourt grossly underperformed, but it can’t be all credited to our defense – they had an off-night, just like Kobe.

In the end, a win’s a win, but this didn’t have the statement game feel I was hoping for. Let’s go get it next game at Cleveland.

Amusing bit towards the end of the game – when the Lakers were up by 10 with a minute or so left, the commentators were speaking as if it were entirely a done deal. Two ridiuclous Vince threes later (with a pair of Shannon Brown bricked freebies thrown in for good measure) and the commentators suddenly realise Orlando is only down 4 with 20 seconds left, and start commentating properly again – only for Vince to massively airball his next three before the Lakers seal the game.

On to Cleveland, I guess.
(stands, turns in direction of Cleveland, pretends ruler is sword, and charges)
FOR NARNIA!!!!!

I agree with most of the points said above. It is nice to see the bench perform well although while we got away with it tonight, that is not the usual routine on the road. Role players play alot better at home then they do on the road.

Also I wish that the whole "Kobe should sit sentiment would die off. I really don’t understand how rest could help his shooting hand but that’s just me. As far as his back he should continue doing what he is doing as far as the treatment but I don’t really see his back hindering him too much but I will say that I am obviously not a doctor.

Kobe’s presence as well helps everyone else on the court perform their role more effectively. Pau and Bynum and Lamar Odom are not nearly as affective if Kobe is not there.

the biggest concern has been the bench and Andrew Bynum. At least as far as I’m concerned. Although Bynum is the one that gets the brunt of that concern, the bench’s depth is what really worries me the most. I hope that rather than let Adam M’s contract expire that the Lakers turn his contract into something else. It’s not that I don’t believe in the bench but it’s their inconsistent shooting that hurts them the most. There isn’t a single player on the bench that I consider a threat. Defenitely not Sasha who might as well give his jersey to Shannon B. because Shannon has taken his spot for good. If only, Sasha came out of his shooting slump then this conversation wouldn’t even be necessary.

I think that Artest still needs some time to absorb the offense. The starters looked a little stagnant in the 3rd quarter. Fish is getting older and slower, Artest looks undecisive, Bynum is Bynum. Then PJ put in Farmar/Brown/Odom/Gasol/Kobe and they took care of business. Mind you these guys have been running the triangle together for years now and they know what to do. Artest? Not so much. And I also agree that Bynum gets down if he doesn’t get calls on the offensive end. I saw him after that block by Howard (goaltending? too close to call?) and he looked dejected. Although that shouldn’t be a reason not to put some effort on the defensive end.

ha. third quarter collapse was the name of the orlando magic’s sbnation blog up until recently. they changed the name to orlando pinstriped post because the former was a pejorative expression.

this may sound crazy, but i think that, for all intents and purposes, thursday night’s game at cleveland is a must win for the lakers.

oh yea, and kobe should not play in the all star game. the man needs to sit out a few games. he is in a slump.

But seriously this is a must Win.

(according to sportscenter) re-aggravated his finger on a pick and roll pass to Drew. He banged it on Nelson’s or Barnes’ ( not sure which) knee