2 minutes from victory.
2 minutes of a meltdown.
2 minutes that could seal the Lakers fate in the series.
The Los Angeles Lakers for 46 minutes on Wednesday night redeemed themselves after getting blown out of the Chesapeake Energy Arena by the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1. In Game 2, the Lakers forced the slower tempo and the Thunder's hot shooting didn't carry over from the first game. Everything was to the Lakers advantage. The pace of the game allowed for better defensive sets and better ball movement in the half-court offense. Despite the improved performance the Thunder walked away winners, 75-77.
Oklahoma City wasn't as sharp as they were previously. Russell Westbrook struggled with his shot (5-17) and the bigs, Kendrick Perkins and Serge Ibaka, were in early foul trouble. Kevin Durant was steady with 22 points and James Harden with 13 points. Harden provided the biggest impact down the stretch.
With OKC back down to earth, the Lakers were able to keep the game close. Defensive rotations were quicker, players held their positions better and made the Thunder look human forcing 13 turnovers. Andrew Bynum and Kobe Bryant each scored 20 but Kobe shot poorly (9-25). Pau Gasol contributed 14 points and 11 rebounds. Gasol was more aggressive in the paint and put pressure on Perkins and Ibaka. Bynum was more engaged on pick and roll defense and on the boards. There is still a black hole in the series though.
Lakers guards, Ramon Sessions and Steve Blake, have contributed only 9 points combined in the series. Blake, who helped the Lakers beat the Denver Nuggets, has not been consistent and his streaky shooting has evaporated. Sessions, with or without his ankle issues, has been a non-factor. The guy who replaced wily veteran Derek Fisher was suppose to provide a speedy penetrating point guard who could score. One out of two is pretty bad. I know Lakers are unlikely to make a change and throw in a rookie but with the lack of production as it stands could Darius Morris be much worse?
In any case, Lakers were in control with two minutes to go. They had slowed down the game and were executing on both ends with a 7 point lead. The Thunder seemed to wilt against the Lakers team defense. Every shot was contested and the Thunder were not running. Then came the collapse.
The rundown of the those last two minutes reads like a police blotter. The poor play was simply criminal.
TIME SCORE PLAY
2:08 75-68 Bynum hook shot.
1:58 75-70 Harden drives around Kobe and Pau for a lay-up.
1:49 75-72 Kobe's bad pass intended for Pau intercepted by Durant for another score.
1:40 75-72 Blake's pass to Kobe goes out of bounds with Westbrook defending. OKC ball.
1:01 75-72 Kobe against Harden (blocked) misses shot from left baseline. OKC ball.
56.3 75-74 Harden down the lane splits Blake and Metta World Peace for front-rim lay-in.
35.6 75-74 Kobe forced to shoot a 3 with 5 seconds on shot clock and misses.
18.6 75-76 Durant makes floater from the right baseline.
5.7 75-76 After inexplicably running clock Kobe fouled by Thabo Sefolosha . OKC with foul to give.
3.2 75-76 Unable to wait longer for Kobe to free himself, Metta throws to open Blake for a missed 3 point shot.
Game Over.
As you can tell there is plenty of blame to go around. Poor play developed from a number of guys either defending horribly or turning the ball over. Most of the blame has to go to Kobe. For all his heroics in the past and his legendary clutch play Wednesday's closing minutes were embarrassing for him. His poor shooting continued and inability to fend off the Thunder by making at least one more basket proved costly. His turnover also opened the door. The Thunder didn't steal this game they were awarded the game. The Lakers stopped playing.
Games 3 and 4 are back-to-back on Friday and Saturday in Staples Center. They will have to bring the same game plan but play for the entire 48 minutes this time.
Comments
Post a Comment