San Antonio Spurs Host Los Angeles Lakers: Review

Written By: mike on September 21, 2010 No Comment

Any athlete will tell you that defense wins games, but when Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers match up against Tim Duncan and the unstoppable Spurs, it comes down to offense as it did in this case. Three minutes in and the Lakers were off with an 8 point lead. Shortly after Parker took the game into his own hands, of course not before his teammates were able to drive straight past Lamar Odom and the L.A. defense for three very easy back -to-back buckets. L.A. made another run and were up 14 to 12 with 4:11 in the first quarter. Both sides of the floor went shot for shot until the Spurs quick ball movement took over. Quick ball movement around the arc and on fast breaks was enough to breakdown the solid Laker defense, netting the Spurs some clear shots from mid-range. The frustration was not only clear on Andrew Bynum’s face but also in the sloppy play which followed thereafter a basket made by the Spurs with 5:22 left to play in the fourth quarter. Kobe and the Lakers couldn’t keep it together and continued to give up possessions and miss wide open shots, only making it easier for the Spurs to secure a win. The Lakers offense struggled throughout the whole game but specifically in the fourth quarter. Three attempts at an easy lay-up and the ball ends up in the hands of Spurs forward Richard Jefferson who threw it down court to Parker for the easy lay in. Phil Jackson couldn’t even excuse the way the Lakers play. Every time they got within reach they made certain to throw the ball away and San Antonio took every opportunity and maximized on it. Interesting match-up nonetheless considering Kobe Bryant sat out the entire fourth quarter due to a back injury. Let’s put it this way: when Kobe sits out due to injury, you know he’s injured. By him sitting out he’s setting his team up for an inevitable loss. Tim Duncan ended with 25 points and 13 rebounds. Parker and Duncan, two veterans in the league led the Spurs to a much needed victory. Considering Bryant had no shot attempts in the second half it’s fair to say that offensively the Laker forwards really stepped it up and knocked down a few shots to stay in it. San Antonio shot 57.3 percent from the field while L.A. shot just 44.2 percent. The AT&T center in Texas was packed with enthusiastic fans watching what could have easily been a preview of the 2010 western conference playoffs. The Lakers ended losing their fourth straight road game while the Spurs accepted the win and noted that although they won by 15 points, Kobe sat out the whole fourth quarter. Defense was evident on both sides but Los Angeles was missing a key offensive player in a very crucial quarter, and without his contribution it is nearly impossible for them to come out on top. Team defense doesn’t always win games sometimes it’s well executed team offense that dominates for the win.