GameFlow - Apr. 28 - Round 1 Game 3 - The Defense Continues!

 
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PopcornMachine
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PostPosted: Sat Apr 29, 2006 7:39 am    Post subject: GameFlow - Apr. 28 - Round 1 Game 3 - The Defense Continues!


Phoenix 92 LA Lakers 99
Lakers lead 1st round series 2-1

GameFlow
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The Lakers again stuck to their game plan, and held the Suns to 92 points. A fastbreak offense will only succeed if you try to run with them. The Lakers aren't playing their game. The only chance Phoenix has in this situation is to hit a lot of 3-pointers. They did hit 5 of 8 in the 1st quarter, 4 of 4 by Tim Thomas. But they hit only 5 of 15 the rest of the way. Thomas was 0 for 3. You live by the three, you die by the three.

Leading most of the way, the Lakers could never stretch it beyond 8 points. The Suns kept fighting back, and took 3 point lead after a 22-12 run in the 3rd quarter. With the Lakers again leading by 7 in the 4th, the Suns 6-1 run reduced it to just 2. But the Lakers outscored them 7-2 in the last 4:50 of the game to seal the win.

Key team stat was the Lakers' 53 reounds to Phoenix's 34. And even more impressive was the 16 to 3 edge in offensive boards. Rebounding can be considered great defensive weapon. The opponent can't score if you limit their opportunities. And as a result the Lakers had far more oppotunities. They took 94 shots and made 39, while the Suns took only 78. Although hitting only 42%, the Lakers made 34 2-point hoops to just 24 by Phoenix. That's a 20-point margin that won the game for the Lakers.

Very balanced team effort, as all the starters scored in double figures but no one over 20. Not even Kobe!

  • Lamar Odom had 15 points, 17 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks.
  • Kwame Brown scored 13, grabbed 11 rebounds, made 5 nice assists, and made 3 blocks.
  • Luke Walton had a solid game with 17 points and 10 rebounds.
  • Smush lead the scoring 18 points.
  • Kobe finished with 17 points (9 in the 4th), 5 rebouonds, 7 assists, and 4 steals.
  • And Brian Cook had a big impact in his 11 minutes of play, scoring 9 and grabbing 7 boards.


All the Suns' starters also reached double figures.
  • Steve Nash scored just 3 in the first half, but finished with 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 11 assists.
  • Tim Thomas scored 18 and grabbed 6 boards.
  • Shawn Marion lead them in scoring with 20, and had 7 rebounds.



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