Despite his team's 3-0 deficit in the Western Conference semifinals after the Dallas Mavericks beat the Los Angeles Lakers 98-92 on Friday, Kobe Bryant remains steadfast in his thinking: The Lakers can win this thing. "I don't know, I might be sick in the head or crazy or thrown off or something like that because I still think we're going to win this series," Bryant said after totaling 17 points and six assists in Game 3. "I might be nuts. ... Let's win on Sunday, go back home and see if they can win in L.A." Following L.A.'s Game 2 loss, Bryant said, "If you want to make history, you have to do historic things." A comeback by the Lakers to win four straight to advance to the conference finals wouldn't just be historic; it would be unprecedented. Read more: http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/news/story?id=6498354
I don't know about this, but i think that Dallas have a good lead and they are playing extremely well, Lakers might not get through.
The Lakers need to make a couple of minor tweaks to their defense and one on offense. 1. Stay at home on the shooters 2. Go under on the high pick and roll On offense the second unit needs to get the ball into Bynum or Gasol. Instead of high percentage baskets and playing inside-out basketball the wing players are jacking up off balanced runners or 3 point shots not in rhythm. The bench has blown the late lead in the last two games and given the Mavs momentum down the stretch. There's been too much ball watching on the defensive end from the Lakers. Guys are cheating off their man and getting stuck in no man's land without enough time to rotate back. You don't need 3 defenders converging on Dirk in the post or when there's dribble penetration. The Mavs love to run the high pick and roll with Chandler back screening the second rotation player. The Lakers haven't made the adjustment and the Mavs are getting wide open looks. When Peja is in the game his man can't leave him and same goes for Jason Terry. Put the pressure on Shawn Marion to beat you. The difference in this series is Dallas ability to make 3 point baskets. Game 3 - Dallas 12 three point baskets vs. Lakers 3 three point baskets 36 to 9 edge Game 2 - Dallas 8 three point baskets vs. Lakers 2 three point baskets 24 to 6 edge Game 1 - Dallas 9 three point baskets vs. Lakers 5 three point baskets 27 to 15 edge
