Jan 26 2009
Lakers crank up the D to beat Spurs
Granted the Spurs missed a lot of shots after the first quarter. Some of that was good defense and some of it was the shot selection by the team. The Lakers got more confident as the game wore on and it was a rout by the end of third quarter.
The Lakers then kept most of their starters on the bench for the fourth quarter and watched as the second unit kept up the pressure for a 99-85 win. Los Angeles was up by more than 25 at various times in the fourth quarter before they just mailed in the rest.
Kobe had a good game with 22 point, four rebounds and three dimes in 32 minutes. Gasol was his usual steady self with 16 points and Bynum scored his third double-double in a row with 15 pts. and 11 boards.
The Spurs committed early fouls that required Greg Popovich to haul two starters out early and the Spurs were in the penalty far too early in both of the first quarters.
But these are the Spurs. They were down by only six after the half and they could have easily gone on a tear with Parker penetrating and dishing off to the bigs who could shoot threes. Didn’t happen. The Lakers controlled the paint the way we have hoped they would all season.
Phil should be happy with this win and god knows he might be. But he’ll find something to harp on to drive the guys hard prior to a big 6 game road trip.
