Lakers vs Spurs Game 3, must win for Lakers?

Looked to be a great game by the Lakers. I didn't get to see it at all cause I wasn't home. But, yea, from the box score, it looks like they thoroughly dominated. Finally shut down Tony Parker also. That's very good to see. Hopefully this will help the Lakers and they come back and win the next in Los Angeles and than steal the next one in San Antonio than close it out in Los Angeles.

 

Damn. If only we played with this kind of energy EVERY game. The only thing that disturbed me today was the amount of offensive boards the spurs got. On one series they had like 7 in a row. Thats what kept them in the game early. Other than that, we played awesome. If we can play like this in game 4, we will be right back in the series.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Moo2K4:</div><div class="quote_post">Looked to be a great game by the Lakers. I didn't get to see it at all cause I wasn't home. But, yea, from the box score, it looks like they thoroughly dominated. Finally shut down Tony Parker also. That's very good to see. Hopefully this will help the Lakers and they come back and win the next in Los Angeles and than steal the next one in San Antonio than close it out in Los Angeles.</div>

I was thinking that too. But that would mean 4 wins in a row. And the Spurs won't allow what happened to them 3 years ago to happen now. I want them to prove me wrong, but I think it's going a full 7 games. And I feel like the Lakers can pull a W at in San Antonio.

 

The two games in San Antonio were very close until the end. If they Lakers play like they did today, they can easily take the next 3 games.

 

The Laker bigs finally help to close the lane on Parkers penetration. And D.Fisher did a good job of keeping up with Parker when he likes to moves with the ball.

Karl Malone should get some credit for his defense on Duncan. He was extremely pyshical with TD right from the start.

And it seem like their was alot more motion in the Lakers offense today,when they dumped the ball into shaq. Everyone kept moving,good to see if you are a Lakers fan.

But the Key to this game was still the fact that the Lakers "bigs" played defense. And disrupted the efficiency of the Spurs offense.

 

Before I start my post, I'd like to apologize to the Laker fans that expected a preview this afternoon. QRich3 was busy and he didn't have time to make it, but I'll be sure to get a preview up tomorrow afternoon just in time for Game 4 Tuesday night, stay tuned.

Now on to the game, where can I start?? The person that goes leadoff today on my list is Gary Payton. The guy that received the most criticism from myself and the media, he did enough to contribute on the offensive and defensive ends by scoring 15 pts on 5/10 shooting. even though he didn't shut down Parker completely, the Laker defense sealed up all the holes when he penetrated creating a ton of havoc, and it disrupted his game in a tremendous way. Next up, Kobe Bryant. The man wasn't selfish, he didn't try to show up Bowen, he didn't try to go against him one on one, instead he was a playmaker. He not only hit outside shots and penetrated to the basket, but he got the rest of the starting four involved on offense. He was the team leader this afternoon, and he was the big reason we got this critical victory. Bryant on the afternoon, 22 pts on 7/13 shooting. Karl Malone did an excellent job on defending Tim Duncan. He took out all of his tricks and harassed him all afternoon. And he knew if there was a way to neutralize Duncan to frustrate and get under his skin, then they'd be in an excellent position to win and that they did. He was terrific from the field as well going 6/10 for 13 points. Shaquille O'Neal just looked vintage. Coming off a 32 point performance in Game 2, he came back with another fanstastic game. He dominated the low post, he didn't waste any time to get into position and back his way to the basket, and he took complete advantage on his field goal opportunities. And what a stat it was: 11/13 for 28 points. This was a team win. The scoring was very balanced, and this game was very one-sided to the finish.

What disturbed me however in the fourth quarter was how the Spurs collected offensive rebounds to try and get themselves back in the game. I believe it was more than five, and even though they got nothing out of their opportunity, the Lakers really have to prevent San Antonio from second chances. Very important for them to box out, and clean out the glass. We have to be perfect, we have to look sharp. I'll be celebrating this Laker win tonight, but Game 4 is our season. Everyone circle your calendars and highlight Tuesday night, because Game 4 ties this series up back at 2-2 and automatically makes this a three game series. The big question is....are the Los Angeles lakers hungry? They sure looked like it this afternoon, and can they continue the hunger and strive?

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Laker_Fever_834:</div><div class="quote_post">Before I start my post, I'd like to apologize to the Laker fans that expected a preview this afternoon. QRich3 was busy and he didn't have time to make it, but I'll be sure to get a preview up tomorrow afternoon just in time for Game 4 Tuesday night, stay tuned.

Now on to the game, where can I start?? The person that goes leadoff today on my list is Gary Payton. The guy that received the most criticism from myself and the media, he did enough to contribute on the offensive and defensive ends by scoring 15 pts on 5/10 shooting. even though he didn't shut down Parker completely, the Laker defense sealed up all the holes when he penetrated creating a ton of havoc, and it disrupted his game in a tremendous way. Next up, Kobe Bryant. The man wasn't selfish, he didn't try to show up Bowen, he didn't try to go against him one on one, instead he was a playmaker. He not only hit outside shots and penetrated to the basket, but he got the rest of the starting four involved on offense. He was the team leader this afternoon, and he was the big reason we got this critical victory. Bryant on the afternoon, 22 pts on 7/13 shooting. Karl Malone did an excellent job on defending Tim Duncan. He took out all of his tricks and harassed him all afternoon. And he knew if there was a way to neutralize Duncan to frustrate and get under his skin, then they'd be in an excellent position to win and that they did. He was terrific from the field as well going 6/10 for 13 points. Shaquille O'Neal just looked vintage. Coming off a 32 point performance in Game 2, he came back with another fanstastic game. He dominated the low post, he didn't waste any time to get into position and back his way to the basket, and he took complete advantage on his field goal opportunities. And what a stat it was: 11/13 for 28 points. This was a team win. The scoring was very balanced, and this game was very one-sided to the finish.

What disturbed me however in the fourth quarter was how the Spurs collected offensive rebounds to try and get themselves back in the game. I believe it was more than five, and even though they got nothing out of their opportunity, the Lakers really have to prevent San Antonio from second chances. Very important for them to box out, and clean out the glass. We have to be perfect, we have to look sharp. I'll be celebrating this Laker win tonight, but Game 4 is our season. Everyone circle your calendars and highlight Tuesday night, because Game 4 ties this series up back at 2-2 and automatically makes this a three game series. The big question is....are the Los Angeles lakers hungry? They sure looked like it this afternoon, and can they continue the hunger and strive?</div>

Excellent post, Mr. Laker_Fever_834 I agree they gotta prevent the Spurs from getting second chances... really fortunate for us they didn't execute all night long. I also agree that Game 4 is our season basically if we lose, it's going to be winning 3 straight and it's not that it's insurmountable... it's just nearly impossible. True, they gotta show not only to themselves that they really want to win the championship this year, but to all the Laker fans around the world. Game 4 will be more than just our season, it accounts for the Lakers' pride and will that they are fighting back into the series, and not just folding.

A quick note after Game 3 win: there are only seven (7) teams in the whole friggin NBA history to come back and win the series after being down 0-2. After this win, how many NBA teams have actually come back and win the series after being down 1-2? I believe it's more than seven? This totally means our chances are getting bigger and bigger by each win. The Lakers must appreciate this. We, Laker fans, must also appreciate this and follow behind them all series. There's still hope. :thumbsup:

 

Lakers needed this one...but they need the next one too.

Glad to see I was right about Parker being the X-Factor.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James:</div><div class="quote_post">

Glad to see I was right about Parker being the X-Factor.</div>
I think everyone was right about that.

It was no coincidence that Payton had his best game of the postseason and the Lakers won.

 

What a change of events, only a few days ago all that was posted from L.A fans

"I think this series is over"

"can't beat San Antonio"

Payton is terrible, start Fisher"

I'm sure there are more

Then just because Lakers win a must win game for them all I have seen so far is Laker fans thinking they will win their next 3 games and win this series quickly

Tim Duncan will not play that bad in game 4 and neither will Parker.

 

I wouldn't go the extent to say that Parker won't play that bad, but, Duncan won't. I think they could easily shut down Parker again. If they manage to shut him down again, they should win.

 

Parker was forcing it the whole game, he didn't let the game come naturally to him that was his main problem. Payton still can't guard Parker and I don't expect him to shoot as bad or play as poorly again in this series.

He was due for an off night. If Parker could be shut down easily he wouldn't of dominated the whole post season. L.A did some things differently but not enough to make me think It will continue.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AllNet:</div><div class="quote_post">Then just because Lakers win a must win game for them all I have seen so far is Laker fans thinking they will win their next 3 games and win this series quickly
</div>

Just because they won a game everything changes eh.. Well all L.A. did was defend their home court, and that's what San Antonio did too. Ofcourse we all have our small doubts after the first two games, but as long as L.A. holds their home court again tomorrow it's back to a tied series. If L.A. infact DID somehow get up 3-2 heading back to L.A. I'm sure Spurs fans will have doubts in their mind too, as they should. San Antonio fans were also getting very hyped after winning those two games at home, thinking this would be an easy series so I think all that goes both ways. Looking forward to tomorrow's GAME 4!! GO LAKERS!

 

The Lakers did a great team defensive job on Parker, nailing him many times as he drove to the paint. I agreed that he was forcing a lot too.

The Spurs just did not come out with the same energy as games one and two, almost like they just "dogged it" this game because they had a 2 game advantage.

 

spurs

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting lakeshow:</div><div class="quote_post">Damn. If only we played with this kind of energy EVERY game. The only thing that disturbed me today was the amount of offensive boards the spurs got. On one series they had like 7 in a row. Thats what kept them in the game early. Other than that, we played awesome. If we can play like this in game 4, we will be right back in the series.</div>

I hope so i hated to see them cry like that last time

go kobe, it really is his team shaq should go