Lakers In A “Must Win” Tonight?

The citizens of Laker Nation may be panicking right about now. After blowing a 16 point second quarter lead in Game 1 against the Dallas Mavericks, the Los Angeles Lakers find themselves facing the possibility of going down 0-2 to theMavs.

A quick look at Game 1 will tell you that the Lakers lost that game more than the Mavs won. After building a 16  point third quarter lead the Lakers turned into a team I like to call the Bored Lakers. they seemingly went to sleep and let theMavs right back in the game. And if it wasn’t for an ill-timed foul by Pau Gasol, this game may have turned out differently.

This Laker team seems to only play well when its back is against the wall. We have seen it all season. Right now they couldn’t be any closer to the wall unless they were in it.

After Game 1 it was pretty easy to tell that Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher were  pretty pissed. These two are the unquestioned leaders of this team. And when both of them are mad, you know everyone is getting yelled at. And maybe thats just what this Laker team needs.

I expect everyone to play a full 48 minutes tonight. And if they don’t they will have to deal with the Wrath of Kobe.

And nobody wants to deal with that.

Prediction: Lakers 102 Mavs 93

Kobe Needs to Sit Down!!

Hey, Laker Fans! Don’t Panic!! (Yet)

Lakers/Heat Preview 03-10-11

The game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami Heat is a clash of two teams heading in the opposite directions. The Lakers are the league’s hottest team right now, winning eight straight since the All-Star break. And are playing like the two-time defending Champions that they are.

The Heat are another story. They are losers of five straight and seem to be on the verge of collapse. They can’t win close games, they can’t beat the top teams and they are blowing huge leads. To top it off, some of them are even crying after games (allegedly).

The sound bite you keep hearing from the Heat, as well as their fans (however many of them that are left), is that they are “figuring out their roles” and are just “waiting to gel.” The last time I checked, there were less than 20 games left in the season. If you are still trying to “figure out” your roles and if you haven’t “gelled” by now, it’s not going to happen at all. Ever.

Provided this team does not go on a crazy losing streak, they should make the playoffs. And if they keep playing like this, they are going to be One and Done.

The Lakers, on the other hand, are playing their best basketball of the season. And they are doing it at the right time. Their offense is hitting on all cylinders and the defense has improved immensely.  Most of that defensive prowess can the attributed to Andrew Bynum. Since the All-Star break he has been averaging 12 rebounds and 3 blocks per game. But what he does best isn’t reflected in the boxscore. He is a menacing presence in the paint. He is altering many shots and most times just denying the opposing player from even getting the inbound pass. I think he is finally living up to his potential.

With all that being said I think the Lakers will win this game. I see it going down only two ways. Either it’s going to be another nail biter, coming down to the last shot and the Heat lose yet another heartbreaker. Or it’s going to be a repeat of the Lakers/Spurs game and the Lakers will blow them out by 40 points.

Either way it should be an entertaining game. If it’s another close loss, the post game press conference should be even more entertaining.