Press-Enterprise: Just one more win

Mamba · Jun 13, 2009

ORLANDO, FLA. - If pushing Orlando to the brink of summer has inspired even the slightest complacency among the heavily favored Lakers, perhaps they need to be reminded what it felt like to be in the Magic's position last June.

A Lakers team trailing 3-1 after a spirit-crushing 24-point collapse in Game 4 of last year's Finals appeared too drained and dejected to offer much more resistance to Boston in its quest for a 17th title. Instead, LA displayed unexpected pride and resilience two nights later, staving off elimination for one more night and preventing the Celtics from hoisting the Larry O'Brien trophy in front of Lakers fans at Staples Center.

"Orlando is going to try to punch us in the face real early, just like we did to Boston last year," Lakers forward Lamar Odom said Saturday. "They're going to stay into that game throughout. Can you imagine losing a championship round on your home court? They're going to come out really hard."

Finding a way to match Orlando's desperation is the biggest challenge facing the Lakers entering tonight's Game 5. Two botched free throws from Dwight Howard and two game-turning threes from Derek Fisher in Thursday night's Game 4 put the Magic in a 3-1 hole that 29 other Finals teams have failed to overcome.

Orlando nonetheless looked relaxed and carefree at practice Saturday, with J.J. Redick hoisting half-court shots, Mickael Pietrus quoting "Borat," and Rafer Alston lamenting that his videogame character makes shots he can't in real life.

Whereas the Celtics outplayed the Lakers in the first four games of last year's Finals, Orlando takes solace from being a blown Courtney Lee alley-oop and a Howard free throw away from defeating the Lakers in Games 2 and 4.

"It's very frustrating when you know you're one basket, one layup, one free throw away from either the series being tied or being up in the series," Orlando's Rashard Lewis said. "At the same time, it most definitely gives you confidence knowing you can beat this team. They're beatable, but you've just got to cut down the little mistakes."

The Lakers, trying to close out a team on their first try for the sixth time in their past seven series, may need to do a better job of keeping Orlando from attacking the middle of the floor. Dribble penetration from Hedo Turkoglu and Alston off the screen-roll has forced LA's defense to collapse and leave shooters open, as has Howard establishing deeper position in the low post.

On offense, contributions from Kobe Bryant's supporting cast have offset the fatigue that has taken its toll on the Lakers star. Bryant has made 11 of 16 first-quarter shots in the past two games but just 11 of 40 afterward, perhaps trying to do too much to secure his first championship since winning three straight from 2000 to 2002.

"This one is special because you rarely have the opportunity to get back up the mountain twice in a career," Bryant said. "In other words, you have your first run, then you hit rock bottom, and then you've got to build back up and get to the top again. Derek and I both feel very fortunate to be part of something like that."

It's easy to see why the Lakers might have a tough time keeping from daydreaming about a championship because it means so much to the legacies of those trying to achieve it.

Bryant is shooting for his first title since the departure of Shaquille O'Neal. Phil Jackson is one ring away from surpassing Boston legend Red Auerbach with his 10th title.

Odom and Pau Gasol are trying to silence critics who once insisted they're too unreliable or too soft to win a title.

Jackson called the team together for a meeting Friday morning, emphasizing that the Lakers still had work to do before they could start feeling good about themselves. Still, mere hours later, Luke Walton couldn't help let his mind drift to what it would feel like to celebrate a championship as he watched from his hotel room while the Pittsburgh Penguins hoisted the Stanley Cup.

"Watching them bring out the red carpet, bring that trophy out, that made it that much more real how close we are to doing that," Walton said. "Everyone's excited, but we'll be ready for Sunday."
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http://www.pe.com/sports/basketball/breakout/stories/PE_Sports_Local_S_lakers_14.3c5dc7d.html

Mamba · Jun 13, 2009

Get that win tomorrow!

huevonkiller · Jun 14, 2009

An extra day of rest, hopefully we can get one free throw at the end of the game this time.

Mamba · Jun 14, 2009

The refs are going to give us like 7 FT;s all game.

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Press-Enterprise: Just one more win

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Press-Enterprise: Just one more win

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