Rapid Reaction: Lakers Hang on by the Skin of Their Teeth

by Turkmenbashi on May 19, 2009 11:10 PM CDT Comment 9 comments

Mr. Big Shot lived up to his name, but it wasn't quite enough. In one of the most exciting finishes this entire playoffs, the Lakers pulled out Game 1 105-103. Kobe and 'Melo battled to the death, both having spectacular games on both ends of the floor. Ultimately, it came down to Denver's atrocious free throw shooting in the first half, and that spelled Heartbreak City for for the Pastel Playas.

The Lakers got to the line and made foul shots all game long, not just in pressure situations. Things got sloppy occasionally, but this game ended up being better than we expected.

Though you'll hear how demoralized they are for not winning, I think the Nuggets should be able to build on a lot of positives here. Carmelo played what may have been his best game yet in a stellar series of playoff games. His defense on Kobe curtailed what could have been an even more ridiculous performance by Bryant. Furthermore 'Melo and the Nuggets, notably Anderson and Billups, played their hearts out. And they got under the Lakers' skin, as evidenced by the T called on Kobe Beef in the third quarter.

This game really could have gone either way. It was a physical game, a tail of two superstars. But it came down to the wire. The final seconds will go down as absolutely classic. Ariza's steal looked like it would be enough to seal the game, but Mr. Big Shot hit a ridiculous trey from the corner to bring Denver within one. But LA, with the one point advantage, was able to take care of business by hitting all of their foul shots down the stretch. The Nuggets' last ditch effort at intentionally missing a foul shot was for naught.

The Lakers hung on, but did not dominate in any sense of the word. I still believe the Nuggets have a good chance in this series. LA is far from infallible on its home court. If Denver can take Game 2, then look out LA.

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I like the name Pastel Playas. And you’re right, this game should give the Nuggets confidence that they can win in LA.

by Buckeye Brad on May 19, 2009 11:17 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Ha, thanks man, glad ya liked it.

I'm *always* in the driver's seat, cugino -- Chuck

by Turkmenbashi on May 19, 2009 11:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It looks like Kobe took a page out of Battier's book

by mutombo4life on May 20, 2009 10:12 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Too bad Denver could not take advantage of their own good play.

I heard that 80% of the time the game one winners, win the series. It’s all uphill for them now I’m afraid. I swear LA seems to get every break as Denver can’t hit FTs in the first half. They also killed Denver on the offensive glass though.

Pastel Playas? Did you come up with that or was it D West?

So I told her," I'll be nicer if you try to be smarter!'..That was a mistake.

by Juannieboy on May 20, 2009 10:19 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I dunno, I never put too much stock in those “80% of teams that win game 1…” things. Every year, every team, every situation is unique. In sports, I think it’s very rare that the past matters enough to change the future. Otherwise, how would records be broken?

And Pastel Playas was all me, as far as I know.

I'm *always* in the driver's seat, cugino -- Chuck

by Turkmenbashi on May 20, 2009 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well sure there are always exceptions. But losing that first game just makes the struggle

all the more “up hill”. I’ll still hold out hope for the Nuggets, but game two is a “must win” now, IMO.

So I told her," I'll be nicer if you try to be smarter!'..That was a mistake.

by Juannieboy on May 20, 2009 10:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Of course losing the first game makes it really tough. That means you have to win 4 of the next 6 games to win the series, and that’s hard to do against a team like the Lakers. But it’s certainly not impossible

by Buckeye Brad on May 20, 2009 12:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

"Possible', I'll give you.

IF, Denver can pull out a win in game two they might be able to make it a series. If not, it would be hard to see how they could win 4 of 5 games. Nearly impossible. They would need Kobe to break an ankle.

So I told her," I'll be nicer if you try to be smarter!'..That was a mistake.

by Juannieboy on May 20, 2009 1:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs