The Los Angeles Lakers went into the weekend in a 0-2 hole to the Oklahoma City Thunder in their Western Conference semi-final series. As if the hole wasn't hard enough to dig out of but they would have to try to even the series on back-to-back nights for Games 3 and 4. It was a tale of two Lakers teams as one appeared energized and aggressive while the other looked fatigued and passive.
WHAT WENT RIGHT
Friday night's Game 3 was the Lakers best game of the series. Except for the final two minutes of Game 2 the Lakers continued to slow the tempo and force OKC to play their game. They were aggressively attacking the basket and moving the ball for open looks and players were actually knocking them down. The previously passive Ramon Sessions was slashing to the basket and dropping floaters or lay-ups. Andrew Bynum was posting up and punishing Thunder defenders on his way to the rim. It was a historic night for free throws as the Lakers made 41 of 42 as proof of their forceful play. Kobe Bryant made all 18 of his free throw opportunities. Their balanced attack resulted in six players in double figures.
Thunder never gave up as they continued to rally behind Kevin Durant and his 10 points in the 3rd quarter. Every rally was countered with a run by the Lakers. Steve Blake provided a spark with 5 straight points during one sequence. Ultimately, the Lakers with Kobe leading the way with 8 points of the team's final 10 points were able to hold on and close out the Thunder in the final minutes to win, 99-96.
WHAT WENT WRONG
Twenty-four hours later and with Lakers Coach Mike Brown deciding to give the team extra rest by forgoing the morning's shoot-around and settling for a walk-through and video session a couple of hours before Game 4 on Saturday. It proved not to be enough rest to push them through another 48 minutes of basketball.
For a third game in a row, the Lakers were able to maintain the tempo and execute well on offense and defense. Kobe Bryant played under control and stayed aggressive driving and going to the free throw line. Andrew Bynum in particular was a monster down low making his first six shots. Pau Gasol also seemed energized in the first half by blocking shots. The Lakers won the first half and lead 56-46 at halftime.
Then came the second half. Thunder were not sharp but relied on their superstars to keep them in the game. Russell Westbrook was relentlessly attacking the Lakers defense by either driving or with pull-up jumpers. Westbrook ended with 37 points for the game. Kevin Durant ended with 31 points and 13 rebounds and was the star closer of this game.
Despite the rally, the Lakers were up by 13 points with about 8 minutes to go in the fourth quarter. Then a strange thing happened. The very philosophy that brought them the lead some how went out the window. The inside-out game turned into Kobe going one-on-one and shooting jumpers...that missed. When he drove he got fouled but Bynum was suddenly fronted by his defender and pushed to the wing. Was this fatigued finally setting in or simply Thunder's defensive adjustments paying off? It seemed that the ball wasn't moving around anymore. Kobe missed a couple of 3 point shots helping the Thunder fast break and eventually Durant tying the game at the 1:54 mark.
At 1:16 Kendrick Perkins put back a miss and took the lead.
Bryant tied the game at 98 with 1:04 left in the game. After a Thunder turnover the Lakers set up a play designed for Gasol. A screen and roll handed the ball to Gasol on the wing with what seemed like a good look but inexplicably decided to pass cross-court but it was intercepted by Durant who ran down and shot the game deciding 3 point shot. Thunder win, 103-100.
Much will be made of the Gasol's indecisiveness and unwillingness to shoot the shot that could have won the game for the Lakers. It never should have gotten to that point. Whether it was exhaustion or Thunder defense or poor coaching the Lakers again were not able to close out a game they had a lead in. Questions remain and could haunt them with an early boot from the playoffs. Why did they go away from Bynum? Why wasn't there a counter to OKC fronting Bynum? Why wasn't Gasol more aggressive in the final minutes? Why did Kobe settle for jumpers? We may know that one. When things unravel at the end of games like this there was always a voice of reason and one person who wasn't afraid to make a big shot even at Kobe's expense. Unfortunately, that kind of person plays for the team with a 3-1 series advantage.
WHAT NOW
Simply, the Lakers have to continue to do what they've done the last three games. It isn't so much about a game plan. They have that. It's a matter of endurance and mustering up enough intestinal fortitude to finish the Thunder in the closing minutes. You can't make the Lakers younger but you can be smarter, protect the ball and find the will to overcome adversity. Coach Mike Brown needs to do a better job of making quick adjustments. Except for Game 1's blowout the Lakers could easily be leading this series but their inability to close has wrecked their chances.
And lastly, Kobe has to be a better leader and team player. His play from the 4th quarter in Games 3 and 4 were like night and day. He needs to recognize what got them in position to win and go back to feeding the big guys especially when his jumper is not falling.
Mon, May 219:30 PM ET
TNTChesapeake Energy Arena
WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS - GAME 5
(graphic via
ESPN)
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