(photo courtesy of Yahoo! Sports)One of my favorite match-ups for a while now in the NBA has been whenever the Los Angeles Lakers take their business into the Oracle Arena to face the Golden State Warriors in what always promises to be an epic offensive showdown. Epic may be too strong of a word to use in this situation, but this truly was an epic game to watch for NBA fans who love high octane offensive games.
Whenever these two teams meet, it always feels like they both sides forget the meaning of the word "defense" and just let loose offensively. The Lakers shot a quite 56% which is impressive, but also expected since L.A had the size down-low. Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol Both had effective nights for the Lakers. Bynum and Gasol combined for 45 points and 23 rebounds, 14 of those belonging to Bynum.
Despite Monta Ellis shotting a lousy 27% on 5/23 shooting, Golden State managed to shoot an impressive 48% on the Lakers 3rd ranked defense but it really felt like they shot much better than that thanks to there 13 three-pointers. The Lakers have been criticized all season long for there weak defensive play against quick point guards, and tonight was no different. Monta and Stephen used there quick legs to speed by Fisher and Farmar and created enough penetration and seperation to either take it to the rim (muahaha) or dish it to a teammate for the three. If you ask me that's how Golden State kept up with L.A tonight.
Kobe Bryant had a quite but effective night going for 28 points on 50% shooting. He did have 9 turnovers in the process thanks to Golden States tough defense and traps they sent for him. Monta Ellis also played some stellar D on Kobe especially being undersized for guarding him. The Lakers won this battle tonight by there domination on the rebounding end. As a team, the Lakers doubled the Warriors rebounding total and then some by out rebounding them 56-25, 14 of them being offensive. Due to the second chance points that those rebounds created, the Lakers were able to sneak away from Golden State with the W.
Golden State had plenty of chances to take over this game. Golden State, although being out-muscled in the post, played incredible help defense by forcing the Lakers to commit 24 turnovers compared to there lone 5 and as a team collected 14 steals. For the Lakers to pull away from this one is amazing considering those numbers. Golden State had the game going into the half. They were playing better basketball by out hustling the Lakers and beating them up and down the court. When the second half began, they seemed to have lost that offensive spark they had the whole first half and essentially 'put their foot of the pedal' and slowed down the game to the Lakers pace, and they took advantage.
As the shout-out began to wind down, the Warriors took possession with a 3 point deficit. After a clever push-off move by Stephen Curry, Ellis dished him the ball for a routine 3 pt jumper to tie the game. What looked in rimmed out, but Golden State got the offensive rebound and dished it to Ellis. Ellis's shot bounced not once, not twice but thrice before bouncing out and the Lakers took the victory.
All in all, a fine game for both teams. I really love Golden State. I truly feel that if they made the playoffs they can make a little run if these guys played like they did last night. The Lakers are just fundamentally great to watch. They're like a fine tuned oil machine with there offense and once there defense picks up (which it will for the playoffs, i've always said they are a June team and you heard it here first) they will be unstoppable.
Until next time
T-T-R
Recommended game for March 16th.
East Coast: Indiana vs Charlotte. (Statement game for Charlotte and they are looking to make a playoff push, look for them to come out strong)
West Coast: L.A vs Sac (have a good feeling. L.A coming off a back to back and Tyreke is just awesome)
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