Well, well, well, another controversial finish

Game four started off great for the Lakers who came out firing, showing that this was going to be nothing like game three.  The Lakers combined crisp passing with hitting the open jumpers to crashing the offensive glass to playing some tough Defense to amass a 14-point lead.  This was shaping up to be a blow out but this is the playoffs and the Spurs were at home and they weren’t having it.  As was expected, the Spurs made a run to tie it up just before the half but the Lakers went on a six point run, leaving the Spurs down by six at the break.

In the second half the Lakers extended the lead to nine but the Spurs would come back.  No matter how close the Spurs got to the Lakers, they were unable to take the lead.  And the Spurs had plenty of tries.  It reminded me of a dog chasing his tail, suspenseful but it kept them running in circles.

Lets not forget that the Spurs were parading to the free throw line for the first three quarters to the chagrin of Kobe Bryant, who attempted 29 field goals and didn’t get fouled.  This is an amazing feat in itself. 

The Lakers were up by seven with a little over a minute to go but the Lakers lapsed on defense and didn’t manage the clock well.  Please reference Kobe Bryant’s ill-advised jumper early in the clock.  For some reason fans are forgetting that Derek Fisher’s shot hit the rim, bounced off of Robert Horry and went out of bounds.  This should have given the Lakers a new shot clock but instead it left the Lakers with two ticks on the shot clock, leading to a rushed shot.  The Spurs were going to get the last shot and they had all of their best shooters on the floor.  The ball winds up in Brent Barry’s hands (this doesn’t happen often-ok, it never happens), Derek Fisher leaves his man to cover Brent Barry who is open but not for long.  Let’s keep in mind that Michael Finley is wide open in the corner but Brent Barry has the hot hand.  Brent Barry pump fakes to get Derek off of his feet, leading Barry to shuffle his feet to try and avoid contact, which was unsuccessful.  This led to Barry’s shot missing right.  Game over.

Any one with two eyes could see that he was fouled but should the foul have been called.  Some say yes but the players and coaches from both teams seem to think not.  Some like to think that since they missed the call on the other end, this was a make up call.  Others, namely the Spurs fans think it was a conspiracy theory since it was Joey Crawford’s call.  I say good win Lakers, who played tough and had some luck like the counterparts in past series.