It's a Saturday night, and the opponent was of the C-List variety. It's a holiday weekend, and the UCLA-USC football game aired simultaneously. Given all this, tonight's game against the Golden State Warriors might well turn out to be the least-viewed Lakers contest of the year. Too bad if true, because the Lakers treated those who watched to the most dominating beatdown of their season to date.
L.A. rolled Golden State 130-97 behind a coldly efficient offensive assault. They turned the ball over only eight times, hit 11 long balls and put the game out of reach with a 26-10 run in the third that stretched a nine-point lead to 25. Laker starters logged some comfy benchtime, none playing more than 32 minutes. It was a businesslike execution of a menial foe.
Also, Lamar Odom was singing "Itsy Bitsy Spider" on his way out of the showers.
Now, of course, comes the Game of the Decade on Sunday night. The New Jersey Nets are here, and they intend to burn Staples to the ground. Will this be an NBA Finals preview? Can L.A. find its "A Game" in time to withstand the New Jersey blitzkrieg? The Lakers' only chance will be to keep it close into the fourth quarter, and then hope a few bounces go their way.
Join us on Sunday evening for what's sure to be a playoff-type atmosphere.
|
|
Poss. |
TO% |
FTA/ |
FT% |
EFG% |
TS% |
Off Reb% |
Def Reb% |
PPP |
|
L.A. |
103 |
8 |
0.26 |
71 |
60 |
62 |
17 |
80 |
1.26 |
|
G.S. |
104 |
13 |
0.26 |
88 |
41 |
47 |
20 |
83 |
0.93 |