The Lakerhead

Lakers Beat Mavericks, I Have Heart Attack

If someone was checking the NBA scores, that person would simply see the Lakers beating the Dallas Mavericks 107-100 in Staples Center.  An expected win with an acceptable spread.  To these people I would scream-Did you see that game?!!

The first half consisted of what I would like to call Spanish art.  Pau Gasol goes a perfect 10-10 from the field, showing why he’s the Western Conference player of the month.  Eric Dampier and Dirk Nowitzki have no chance.  Brandon Bass?  Please.

The reason teams don’t have an answer is because Gasol never forces everything.  Everything comes within an offensive flow for him.  Simply put, he plays the right way.

All was going according to plan for the Lakers, with Gasol and Ariza (who finished with a career-high 26 points, including 3-5 from 3-point range.  If he keeps hitting the 3, watch out NBA) scorching and Kobe amazing (even on cruise control), the lead had swelled to 15 points in the 3rd quarter.

Then, Jason “The Imposter Jet” Terry caught fire.  He made 4 three-pointers in the 3rd quarter alone, including a buzzer beater from 32 feet out.

The Lakers still held a 7 point lead going into the 4th quarter, but when the other team is celebrating as they head into the huddle when they are down, you know that the momentum has shifted for your team.

Phil Jackson puts the bench + Gasol in the game, and the Lakers can’t find a shot against the Mavs zone.  Jason Terry decides to keep scorching in threes.  Next thing you know, the Mavs are up 6 points and there is less than 4 minutes to play.

Enter Kobe Bryant.  3 pointer, good.  Deep three in a defenders face, squish.  20-footer, money.  The Lakers finally decide to play some D on the other end and take over.

So within a span of a quarter and a half, the Lakers blew a 15 point lead to go down by 6 points late in the 4th quarter, then decided to win by 7.  Someone pass the Aspirin, I need to prevent a heart attack.

The game was a reminder that anyone in the NBA can get hot and change a game.  And if you’re not checking someone like Jason Terry (who’s averaging 19.9 points off the bench), prepare to eat baskets.  Mmmm…baskets.