Lakers Become the Best Team in the NBA
The Lakers beat the Blazers 100-86 on Friday night. The Celtics and Cavs both lost on the same night, taking those teams to 6 losses. That means the Lakers’ 27-5 record is the best in the NBA. Home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. Doesn’t it feel great? Yes, but not so fast.
The season is not even half over, and the Laker record on the road is an impressive but vulnerable 9-4. Anything can happen, and any of these three teams can be standing on top of the league throughout the rest of the season.
What the Lakers did present, however, is that they have enough talent to outclass even a Blazer team that has been playing very well recently. Once again, Kobe shot over 50% (11-19 from the field), and that is a great indicator that the Lakers will win (Kobe has shot under 50% in 4 of the 5 Laker losses).
Pau Gasol in the 2nd and 3rd quarters was a joy to watch. Pau faced up on Oden either driving for a nice jump hook or making the shot when Oden sagged. It was All-Star move after All-Star move for the Spaniard.
Kobe Bryant simply outsmarting Travis Outlaw for trick shot after trick shot shows once again he’s evolving beautifully.
The Lakers were having so much fun, even Radmanovic joined in on the party, pouring in 16 points on 4-6 from the field including 2-3 from 3-point land. While the Blazers were missing their all-star, Brandon Roy, this was the same team that beat the Celtics without Roy. But the Lakers were simply too much to handle. The best team in the NBA usually has that affect on the opposition.
Finally! Better than the Celtics!