The San Antonio Smashing

Los Angeles Lakers (45-19) vs. San Antonio Spurs (51-12)
Final Score: Lakers 99 Spurs 83

Was this a game foreshadowing the Western Conference? I think so, minus the once 30-point lead the Lakers had on the Spurs.  The Lakers strolled into the River Walk and showed the team with the league's best record how games are won.  The Los Angeles Lakers probably played the best game of their season showing off their defensive prowess, offensive dominance, and the "killer instinct" that has seemed dormant for the previous games.  Dominated nearly every aspect of the game except fast break points (no surprise there).  I think Laker fans should be really happy with what was on display today.

The Lakers went into a very hostile environment and showed why they are the two time NBA champions.  The defense definitely showed up, the main ingredient for championships.  The Spurs starters: Duncan, Parker, Blair, Jefferson, and Ginobili were combined for 28 points.  The team only scored 83, so the started contributed barely 25 percent of the points.  The only starter to have an "average" game was Tony Parker scoring 14 points, three assists, and two steals.  The Spurs bench pulled the slack, a little bit.  The Spurs were held to a mere 36 percent and only 33 percent 3-pt field goals (which absolutely killed the Heat on Friday).  The Spurs had won 22 straight games on their home floor but the Lakers were the home-wreckers today.  The Lakers were out there on the floor with a message to give the rest of the league.

This message, the road to the championship is going through Staples Center in Los Angeles...not the Clippers people.  This was a STATEMENT game for the Lakers.  This is the game that sets the pace/tone for the rest of the season, now if they can play like this against the Heat the Lakers have a pretty good measuring stick on where they are at right now.  This game showed that they can still play against the league's elite teams and win those games.  This has to be one of the most balanced games of the year, with four players scoring in double figures (Bryant, Gasol, Odom, Brown).  Bynum played a very solid game, a game a center should be playing.  He snatched up 17 rebounds and three blocks with four points but he challenged shots and made his presence felt.  As a team, the Lakers shot a blistering 46 percent (Gasol even made a 3-pointer) and 20 points in the paint. 

The size of the Lakers was probably the biggest factor in the game (30 points in the painted area).  The Lakers were just too big for the Spurs and the size definitely bugged them.  I think people thought this game was going to be a lot closer than what it was, including myself.  I thought this game was going to come down to the wire just like the one in Staples.  The Lakers seemed so focused right now they see that Larry O'Brien trophy sitting in the trophy room.  But Kobe Bryant plays the cool and collective person he has been throughout the season, "I don't think it's that big of a message that we sent today," he said.  The Lakers team has taken on the persona of the guy that wins the game in a quiet but deadly way, nothing flashy or overwhelming but just wearing teams down with their size and the Black Mamba.

In reaction to the game, the Lakers are playing good basketball but hopefully this isn't their "peaking" point.  I think they need to wait awhile before they peak because you want to be playing your best ball going into the playoffs.  Don't get me wrong, they are playing great but don't show off all your tricks before the final show.  "We need to be at our peak later on," Gasol said. "Not right now."
    
The Lakers have now seven straight games including wins over the Bobcats (one of two teams with a winning record over the Lakers), Thunder (good rivalry brewing), and Portland (in the Rose Garden).  They have done so with a very stifling defense.  Next up on the road trip: Atlanta, Miami, and Dallas (huge game...bigger than the Miami game)

In conclusion, the Lakers dominated the Spurs and showed that they still can play with the big boys of the league.  Kobe got his usual stuff but the rest of the team followed suit with a very balanced game.  The statement of the game, the Lakers are going to beat you with their defense, critical shooting, and the grind-it-out demeanor on the court.  Looking forward to the next game and looking forward to my next post

Highlight of the Night: Kobe drilling the 3 on the wing in Manu's face then to top it off, talking smack to the Spurs fans

Prediction: Win in Atlanta and Miami, Too close to call in Dallas

Just in case you missed the game:

                                                            

This is a must see: