Good to see that Kobe was back to modest pt. production, in the wake of Lakers good team effort defeating Nuggets, even with Ariza going down with injury for 2 mos., a la Bynum.
Another big test: on the road against defending champ San Antonio Spurs, Jan. 24:
Early team effort good. D-Fish, Kwame, Lamar, Kobe, smooth as a team, leading 17-10.
Mbenga had a tough spell as backup center. But still no doubt better than a firing squad in the Congo. Sidebar road to a 10-day contract.
Rone Turiaf closes 1st quarter strongly for Lakers, making 2 key free throws for 27-23 lead, AND getting back on defense to short-circuit attempted Spurs quick score.
Sasha and Farmar perform well in 2nd quarter, 41-33 lead.
Lakers struggle a few series late in 2nd quarter, but pull it together, finish strong, 54-45 at the half.
BIG dry spell, first 5+ mins. of 3rd; trail 59-54. 2 Kwame muffs inside. 14-0 Spurs run.
Kobe battles the team back to a tie. D-Fish hits a 3.
67-64 Spurs lead late in the 3rd, in the wake of too many dang Lakers turnovers.
After leading the 1st half by 9, the Lakers lose the 3rd quarter by 19, unbelievably failing to score till half-way through the quarter; 76-66 Spurs. Ouch.
85-79 Spurs with 6 min. left in the 4th, as Kobe hits a 3, tightens the game again.
Ginobli's dagger 3 makes it 97-84 Spurs, with 3:46 left.
Ever since the Lakers went dry for over 5 mins. starting 3rd quarter, they've been playin' catchup, instead of leading. Too many turnovers, too few Spurs stops.
Final score: Spurs 103, Lakers 91.
What started out as a good effort, once again becomes a case study in inconsistency. NO points for OVER 5 minutes after half-time lead of 9? Head-scratching mind boggle. That parched patch of desert, turnovers there and later, made sufficient stops impossible against the veteran champs.
So the Lakers still have some glitches that go beyond Kwame havin' smaller hands, being less proficient than Andrew at dish and dunk.
MENTAL toughness and consistency is needed.
