Facing a game 6 against the revitalized Denver Nuggets after they lost on Tuesday night, 102-99, the Lakers realize, as well as fans, they need to just win the @#$%&*! series already. Looming on the horizon are the well rested Oklahoma City Thunder who are more than ready to run on Saturday if the Lakers finish off the Nuggets tonight starting at 7:30 PDT. Unlike Andrew Bynum before game 5, Kobe Bryant knows winning a close-out road game won't be easy.
"We have to go up there in a tough environment, gain some experience and earn your stripes," he said.
Unfortunately, Bryant has come down with some intestinal flu-like symptoms but ever the warrior he is expected to play. He will be monitored before the game but Coach Mike Brown told the LA Times he isn't too worried.
"If I were a betting guy, which I'm not, I would probably bet that he would play."
KEYS TO THE GAME
Transition defense. The Nuggets were able to take defensive rebounds and convert them to quick points down the other end because the Lakers were slow to get back. If it wasn't Ty Lawson streaking down the lane for an open lay-up it was a quick pass to an open JaVale McGee for a dunk. Bynum stated today he knows he has to get back and be the first one down the court on defense. Let's hope so.
Better shooting. Pau Gasol and Ramon Sessions both struggled from the field. Had they been more of a factor the game may not have gotten away from the Lakers early on. Without shots going down from within 15-18 feet that middle gets very clogged by Nugget defenders making it really difficult for Bynum and Gasol to get better looks. Lakers have to force Denver to respect their shooters to create some space for the bigs.
Bench play. Probably the most alarming is the contrast of bench effectiveness. Lakers bench was outscored 50-19 in game 5 by the Denver bench. Steve Blake provided some lift but Matt Barnes is hampered with an injury and has only made one 3pt. attempt in 20 tries in the series. More will be expected from Blake, Barnes, Jordan Hill, and any other viable body that gets off the bench. Without some support it'll be up to Bryant, Bynum and Gasol to do the heavy lifting in long minutes.
A game 7 could be required if Lakers play as they did on Tuesday. The thin air in Denver wore out Pau Gasol last time they were there. They did win in Denver and they'll have to do it again tonight. They need to get it over with and show some championship level determination.
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