93 - 81 final score. Advantage Dallas. Wow.
Mark Cuban must think he's finally caught a break, or (for you conspiracy theorist) the "boys club" (aka David Stern and the other NBA owners, who don't like him, have finally let him sit at the big table and play with everyone else.
Give Rick Carlyle a hand for the plan of attack he and his staff prepared to go against the Lakers. The game remained close throughout the first half. Dallas leading at halftime 51-49. Dallas' zone defense seemed to confuse and stymie the Lakers' offense, which gave way to poor shot selection (again), which led to an ugly 13 point 3rd quarter. That said, the Lakers still only trailed by 6 points to begin the 4th quarter. Then,
the 4th quarter became the 'J.J. Barea show'. In 17 minutes of play, Barea looked like the second coming
of either Chris Paul or Steve Nash. Barea shredded the Lakers' defense, working off of the high "pick and roll'. Either scoring on layups, or penetrating the lane, and dishing the ball to open shooters. Barea finished with 12 pts, 4 assist, while only committing 2 turnovers.
Whenever the Lakers tried to make a push, the Mavericks were able meet the challenge and stave off the attack.
The body of this loss, lays at feet of the bench, again (Mavericks outscore the Lakers' bench 30-12), As well, Lamar's(again) and Pau Gasol's (again). Both have not played good consistent basketball during the playoffs. The Lakers don't win without them. Also, its time for that 'MIA' known as Steve Blake to show up, and start earning his paycheck. "Tonight he looked confused, and very apprehensive, like he was totally lacking confidence in his shot, and his ability to play at all.
Down 0-2, going to Dallas. The questions are already casting a pall over the city. 'Is this the end of the run?'
"Is the party over?' "Are the Lakers too old? Are they too slow?
Well I'm not ready to concede. A close look at both games reveals that the Lakers could just as easily be
1-1, 2-0, given more consistent, precise play, that's expected of a 2 time defending Champion.
They just have to run the offense through the post, pound the boards, limit the turnovers and questionable shot selection, defend the outside shooters better, and make their free throws. That's all!! They can beat the Mavericks. They now, just have to do it starting in Dallas. One game at a time.
Deja vu - An impression of having seen or experienced something before.
I'm sure Mark Cuban will be praying that history doesn't repeat itself. Seeing that the Mavericks are 1 of only 3 NBA teams to come back to win a best-of-seven series after losing the first two at home.
Down 0-2, going to Dallas.
Only three NBA teams have come back to win a best-of-seven series after losing the first two at home.
1971- Lakers defeat San Francisco Warriors
1994- Houston defeats the Phoenix Suns
2005-Dallas defeats the Houston Rockets
If the Lakers win game 3 Friday, Mark Cuban will start wondering whether the first 2 games were just a dream or is it "Deja vu all over again'.
The situation is not terminal, but its not good.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Lakers down 0-1 to Dallas
As expected, the Lakers finished off the Hornets, with a 99-80 win in the 6th game of the opening round.
Chris" Little Cesar" Paul wasn't able to spark and inspire the young Hornet team. With all hope relying on another stellar performance, Paul was limited to 10pts, 8 rebs, 11 asst. The Lakers applied a strong "playoff" style of defense, allowing Chris Paul only 9 shots in 43 minutes. The Lakers' bench, led by Lamar Odom's 14, outscored the Hornets bench 30-21. The Lakers' length and size caused the Hornets additional headaches, in the areas of rebounding and blocked shots. The Lakers out rebounded the Hornets 43 - 30 (14-7 on the offensive boards), and out blocked their shots 6 shots to 2. The Hornets had no answer for Andrew Bynums's 18 pts/12 reb night. The steady defense, the lack of Chris Paul heroics, and no one else other than Carl Landry having a good scoring game tallied up to a Lakers' series clenching win (4games to 2). The Lakers still aren't the well oiled machine yet, but they did look better. Next stop........Dallas.
Dallas, Mark Cuban's team came out the gate acting like a team who doesn't know its not suppose to beat the defending Champion Los Angeles Lakers. And on the Lakers' home floor no less. well the Mavericks came away from game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals with a stunning 96-94 victory over the 2 time defending NBA Champs. Lack luster, uninspired play along poor shot selection by the both the bench and starters down the stretch, lead to the Maverick overcoming a 16 pt deficit and dodging a last second 3 point attempt by Kobe Bryant for the win from the top of the key, as time expired. What do they need for game 2? Well, its time for Steve Blake to earn some money. Its time for more interest, better bench play, better shot selection across the board ( do you here me Shannon) , get the ball to Bynum, Gasol, and Lamar down low (the Mavericks have no one to stop them down low), and "normal" games, I said "normal" games (not great, not superhuman, but normal games) from Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, Kobe, and Lamar, the Lakers win not only game 2 (tonight). They win the series, they win the Championship. Everyone hoped that game 4 of the Hornets series was the "Wake up call". I guess, after game 6, the Lakers hit the snooze button. So, have the Lakers finally gotten the "wake up call" again. . Are they ready to show theLaker "swagger" we know. Are they ready to show us that 17 -1 team we saw after the All-Star break. I think the Lakers are ready to show up and get the final 12 wins they need to complete the "3-pete". As for the impending Laker death and doom, I thing the quote from Mark Twain best applies, "The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated". Also, I might add, Yogi Berra's quote , it's not over till it's over", and its only game 2! Relax. No time to panic. Not time to worry. It time to play some ball.
"
Chris" Little Cesar" Paul wasn't able to spark and inspire the young Hornet team. With all hope relying on another stellar performance, Paul was limited to 10pts, 8 rebs, 11 asst. The Lakers applied a strong "playoff" style of defense, allowing Chris Paul only 9 shots in 43 minutes. The Lakers' bench, led by Lamar Odom's 14, outscored the Hornets bench 30-21. The Lakers' length and size caused the Hornets additional headaches, in the areas of rebounding and blocked shots. The Lakers out rebounded the Hornets 43 - 30 (14-7 on the offensive boards), and out blocked their shots 6 shots to 2. The Hornets had no answer for Andrew Bynums's 18 pts/12 reb night. The steady defense, the lack of Chris Paul heroics, and no one else other than Carl Landry having a good scoring game tallied up to a Lakers' series clenching win (4games to 2). The Lakers still aren't the well oiled machine yet, but they did look better. Next stop........Dallas.
Dallas, Mark Cuban's team came out the gate acting like a team who doesn't know its not suppose to beat the defending Champion Los Angeles Lakers. And on the Lakers' home floor no less. well the Mavericks came away from game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals with a stunning 96-94 victory over the 2 time defending NBA Champs. Lack luster, uninspired play along poor shot selection by the both the bench and starters down the stretch, lead to the Maverick overcoming a 16 pt deficit and dodging a last second 3 point attempt by Kobe Bryant for the win from the top of the key, as time expired. What do they need for game 2? Well, its time for Steve Blake to earn some money. Its time for more interest, better bench play, better shot selection across the board ( do you here me Shannon) , get the ball to Bynum, Gasol, and Lamar down low (the Mavericks have no one to stop them down low), and "normal" games, I said "normal" games (not great, not superhuman, but normal games) from Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, Kobe, and Lamar, the Lakers win not only game 2 (tonight). They win the series, they win the Championship. Everyone hoped that game 4 of the Hornets series was the "Wake up call". I guess, after game 6, the Lakers hit the snooze button. So, have the Lakers finally gotten the "wake up call" again. . Are they ready to show theLaker "swagger" we know. Are they ready to show us that 17 -1 team we saw after the All-Star break. I think the Lakers are ready to show up and get the final 12 wins they need to complete the "3-pete". As for the impending Laker death and doom, I thing the quote from Mark Twain best applies, "The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated". Also, I might add, Yogi Berra's quote , it's not over till it's over", and its only game 2! Relax. No time to panic. Not time to worry. It time to play some ball.
"
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