When the Lakers decide that they’re going to take an opponent seriously by focusing on both ends of the court and executing at a high level they’re nearly impossible to defeat. Tonight, the Pacers found that out as the Lakers rolled into Indiana with revenge on their mind (if you believe Matt Barnes) and beat up the Pacers 109-94 to win their third straight game and their second in two nights.
Really, this game was domination from the outset. The Lakers were extending their defense and pressuring the ball well beyond the three point line and offensively they attacked the Pacers’ with precise execution that would make Tex Winter smile. Every time a Pacer touched the ball a Laker defender was up in his chest with active hands trying to deflect a pass or force him into a mistake. And in the early going it worked to perfection as the Pacers turned the ball over on half of their first six possessions. Those turnovers allowed the Lakers to either attack quickly in the other direction or set up their offense to against a Pacer D that would struggle all night with the Lakers execution.
Early on, it was Artest and Gasol that would do the most damage. Ron started out making his first three shots from the field and really seemed to have a comfort level in how he was going to get his shots against Indy. He worked well off pin-down screens and moved well off the ball to get open near the top of the key where he took his jumper with his feet set and without hesitation. He also turned an early first quarter steal into a breakaway lay in that only seemed to get him more in a zone on both ends of the floor.
And then there was Gasol, who really looked determined to make up for his sub-par effort from the last time these two teams met. Pau found his rhythm early and showed us once again how complete an offensive player he can be. He nailed a variety of jumpers from all over the court and also did major damage from the post with jump hooks and up and under moves where he either got the bucket or earned a trip to the foul line. On one impressive first half play Gasol took a pass on the right wing, faced up, and then blew by Hibbert for a dunk where he took the ball in one hand and finished on the other side of the hoop. In the first half, Gasol had a smooth and easy 21 points and would end the game with 28 on only 17 shots from the field. And when he wasn’t scoring himself, Pau was doing a great job of exhibiting patience with the ball by waiting for plays to develop and then hitting his mates in position where they could get easy baskets.
In the second half, it would be Kobe’s turn to dominate on offense. After letting his mates have all the fun in the first 24 minutes (and playing distributor to get them going), Kobe went off in the final two quarters giving the Indiana fans a show that they’d remember. Doing most of his damage from the outside, Kobe knocked down jumper after jumper to sound of oohs and ahs from the road crowd. At one point he nailed two deep three pointers and back heeled a third from 27 feet that was straight as an arrow but just long. Kobe finished with 31 points of his own on only 18 shots and on the strength of his play making first half also had 6 assists on the evening. All you have to do is look at his highlights from the night and you can see that he was in some kind of zone with his jumper while also displaying the fantastic footwork that also makes him so special.
But, as much as this game was about the Lakers tremendous execution on offense it was just was much about how they turned up their defensive intensity. In the first half especially, the Lakers’ ability to pressure the ball while also defending the paint was a sight to see. Whether from the wing or in the paint, nearly every Pacer shot was contested. The Lakers were getting their hands in the passing lanes, causing deflections, or just forcing the Pacers to make bad passes that ended up in the stands rather than in a teammate’s hands. There may have been a better defensive half this year, but I’m coming up blank when remembering it as the Lakers held Indiana to 37 first half points and an offensive efficiency of 84.1.
The real takeaway from this game, though, is that the Lakers may be finding their stride again. For the first time all season they’ve got their full 9 man rotation available and when you add in Luke and the rookies it’s a complete team before you even bring back Ratliff or add Joe Smith to the mix. The return of Bynum has meant that Gasol’s fresher than he’s been since the opening two weeks of the season and with big ‘Drew coming off the bench Odom has also maintained a good rhythm to his game. You add to this a more efficient Kobe (his 31 points on 18 shots tonight comes after 24 points on 13 shots and 34 points on 19 shots in his last two games) and you have the makings of a Laker team that is starting to get on another roll. Obviously the level of competition isn’t the greatest, but that was the case when the Lakers were barely squeaking out wins in recent weeks too. Things are definitely looking up for the Lakers and while other teams are playing well too, we may just be seeing the start of another push that reminds the rest of the league who the reigning champs are.
R says
Beautiful wrap up, Darius. You must be feeling better.
As are the Lakers, evidently. They seem to heating up just in time for a Dec 25th showdown with the three pretenders.
harold says
That Gasol clip looks awkward as Gasol is so darn tall, but it’s fun to watch a 7 footer doing stuff that Kobe or other smaller players do.
Busboys4me says
Harold
That is the play he used against the Lakers all the time against Kwame. That’s why I wanted him here. He wasn’t a jump shooter only. He got to the rim. It’s so great being a Laker fan.
Mark says
I was out of the country for about a week and recently watched some highlights of the last few games; is it just me or is Kobe looking deadly both inside the paint and beyond the arc? Seems like he has been having his way in the paint in addition to hitting the deep shots as well.
sT says
@ Busboys4me, “It’s so great being a Laker fan.” Yeah, I agree after a game like tonight with the Triangle Offense and all of the players clicking just perfectly together, just a beautiful sight indeed to watch. I am going to the Bucks game on the 21st and I will be looking forward to precision execution like tonight, it would make the steep price I paid to go well worth it. Glad to see you better Darius, great game wrap-up as usual.
harold says
Busboys4me
I know he had that move in him, I actually saw it first when he pulled it against Kevin Garnett (more reason to like and love!) but still, it does look awkward with those loooooooooong limbs.
No, I’m not jealous or anything because I’m a full foot short and still can’t pull it off…
Kaifa says
That was a great effort in making the Pacers shoot long jumpers over the hands of defenders for most of the night. Combined with the personnel to be a very good defensive rebounding team (if the mind-set is right), those percentages should work out to the Lakers’ favor in most games, particularly when they execute the offense like they did last night.
Matthew says
Good game!
p.s.: no sight of Knickers? I knew I recognized his M.O., but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. Must have been one of those “come out of the woodshed when Kobe shoots a bad %” people. So sadly predictable.
John Morris says
Good effort on both ends. Lamar Odom for 6th Man of the Year and Most Improved Player.
tsuwm says
>Lamar Odom for 6th Man of the Year..
that’s not gonna happen unless/until he actually comes off the bench for an extended period. (like forty-two(42) games)
DirtySanchez says
Loved the sense of urgency displayed the entire game last night by LA. Reminded me of the team that began the season playing with a purpose and taking no prisoners. LA cant take the less talented teams in the league for granted anymore if they are indeed trying to play catch up with the top teams record wise.
As I watched the end of the Knicks I was mad at the refs for not calling that blatant push off with the offhand by Pierce on the game winning shot. I was estatic that the Knicks may finally be relevant again. A place like the Garden deserves to be represented by a team that is at least in contention, great for the league and fans of the Knicks.
Sedale says
If ever there was a time for a “create your own caption” section to this site, I would have to submit this link:
http://twitpic.com/3gb6bz/full
There’s so much to say about how foolish PP and Donkey look in this….
Craig W. says
DirtySanchez,
MJ pushed off against Bryon Russell…exactly why would you think the Pierce pushoff would get called?
We scream when these fouls are called at the end of games because we don’t want the refs deciding the game. Now we are screaming when they are not called. There is no way the refs win in this world, so I guess they just will have to do their best and forget us.
DirtySanchez says
Craig W.
Never heard me complain about a call at the end of a game, it is what is whether its at the beginning of the game or at the end. To extend your arm( almost locking at the elbow) is an obvious violation that the ref should have easily caught, Pierce still had to hit the shot( I give him credit where credits due). Just sayin……………
lil' pau says
Any news about Joe Smith passing the physical? Given that the trade was all about $ and very little about Smith, one could only imagine what that examination will be like…
Mitch to the Doctor: Does he have a pulse?
Doctor: We’ve been trying to find one. No luck so far.
Mitch: That’s okay. He passes!
Taylor says
I’d be interested if Kobe has the same opinion of the Pacers that he carried between the first and second time we played them. He praised them as being the best and most complete team we had played all season coming into last night. To me, I believe he may have thought that coming off of our first performance that made them look so much better than they are. I don’t disagree that they are probably a lock for the playoffs, but not as good as we gave the credit for. Though they didn’t shoot really well the first time out, they brought tons of energy which made up for it. Last night was a better reflection of what they are; quite talented, but cannot play if we bring a 90% or better.
kwame a. says
Nice to see Ron hit some shots yesterday. I think he had a great preseason and the early struggles have really affected him. If he can have some confidence and take the right shots, the offense will be that much better.
The Dude Abides says
@15. ROFL
The Dude Abides says
Looks like this is it for Yao. Sad news.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5926989
Aaron says
I thought Yao retired a couple years ago. Oh well.
Trivia time…. How man games have the Lakers lost with a Center on the active roster?
Answer:
Zero. The Lakers first loss came the first game after Theo went down.
Phillip Barnett says
New Post up:
http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2010/12/16/talking-joe-smith/
sT says
@15, yep… and ROFL also.