GameFlow - Apr. 14 - Wake Up, Go To Sleep, Then Wake Up Again

 
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PopcornMachine
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 9:56 pm    Post subject: GameFlow - Apr. 14 - Wake Up, Go To Sleep, Then Wake Up Again


Portland 99 LA Lakers 110
GameFlow
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A brief 8-2 run by the Trailblazers at the start of the game seemed to wake the Lakers up. They responded with a 32-8 run to dominate the 1st quarter and take an 18-point lead. Their 36 in the period included 10 from Kwame Brown, 9 from Kobe Bryant, 7 from Smush Parker, and 6, 5 rebounds, 5 assists from Lamar Odom.

But this wealth of offense seemed to just put them back into a relaxed state. While they slumbered in the 2nd quarter, mostly with the second unit on the floor, Portland went on 19-2 run to reduce a 21-point lead to just 4.

Kobe came out after halftime determined not to let his team lose. He scored 17 in the 3rd as the Lakers barely held the lead, then added 18 in the 4th as they finally put together another big run. A 7-0 Blazers spurt early in the final period got them within 1 point of the lead, and was followed by the Lakers 15-4 run that put the lead out of their reach.

It was an encouraging win for a couple of reasons. It was one they should win, and they got very good performances from their 3 key players. Kobe hit 17-28 shots for 50 points, with 6 rebounds and 5 steals. After a season of "nearly" making one, Lamar Odom had his second triple-double in a row, with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists. And Kwame Brown scored 20 on 7-9 shooting, and grabbed 9 rebounds.

What is not so encouraging is that, despite winning, they allowed the Portland Trailblazers to score 99 points on 51% shooting. So, rather than using defense to beat one the poorest offensive teams in the league, the Lakers just out-offensed them. Defense will win you more games than offense. Particularly come playoff time.

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