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DALLAS - The Los Angeles Lakers are going to Dallas for game 3 against the Mavericks, who have shown us all how to explode out of the gate in taking the first two games from the Lakers at the Staples Center.
With Ron Artest suspended and Andrew Bynum muttering about distrust, along with a 0-2 start weighing down their shoulders, Laker guard Kobe Bryant will need to dig deep and do a lot more than just shoot the ball for a good look at the AA center. Will the Lakers find what the team is desperate for and claim their first ‘W' of the series?
It can be expected that it will be a very emotional game 3 tonight. On one side we have the Lakers, who need a win to maintain any hopes in taking this series - while on the other, the Mavericks will be fighting to keep their morale going in hopes of a clean sweep. The Mavericks were able to hold down the Lakers in L.A, so there should be no trouble in defeating them on their home court, considering that the Mavericks play exceptionally well at home, going 28-13 (although the same would be thought of the Lakers, who went 30-11 at home).
"With the crowd and being at home, I think we just took a piece of their heart," Stevenson said.
Considering that this is the first NBA playoffs that all-stars Kobe Bryant and Dirk Nowitzki have gotten the chance to go head to head, there was a lot of speculation on how they would match up against each other. In game 1, Dirk Nowitzki had an outstanding 28 points, three assists and a remarkable 14 rebounds for the Mavericks, which went right along with Jason Kidd's 11 assist and four rebound performance. Even more helpful was the activity from the Dallas bench, highlighting Jason Terry with 15 points, four assists and three rebounds.
In comparison, Bryant had an explosive 36 points for the Lakers, but had a disgraceful ZERO assists. Pao Gasol had a more balanced game with 15 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists, while Lamar Odom added 15 points and 12 rebounds - a very threatening and powerful duo.
In game 1, the Mavericks held off Bryant, Gasol and Odom to come out with the upset. Keeping Kobe in check is something that Dallas has specialized in this season, keeping his average under 22 points per game, something no other Western Conference team was able to do.
"It was a really bad ending...we should have won that game," Los Angeles center Pao Gasol said after game 1, providing insight to what the atmosphere was like for the Lakers throughout the second half.
With help from their bench and by keeping their cool after a rough second quarter, the Mavericks were able to walk out of the Staples Center with a win (96-94) when Kobe missed a three-pointer at the buzzer.
Going into game 2, the Mavericks' confidence couldn't have made a more opposite comparison than the frustration that some of the Lakers' players were feeling. The frustration showed throughout the game and followed into the post game interviews.
We can imagine the emotions that often times flow through the Lakers when their all-star player is getting shut down. The fans started to lose confidence in their team and they weren't afraid to show it. In the third quarter when Gasol went up for a two handed slammer and was blocked by Dallas guard DeShawn Stevenson, the crowd showed their disappointment in an uproar of boos.
"With the crowd and being at home, I think we just took a piece of their heart," Stevenson said. "I haven't [seen them this frustrated]. I don't know if it's winning back-to-back titles or being tired. I don't know what they're going through."
In almost more of an outburst of frustration, Artest received his second technical foul and was ejected for clotheslining Dallas' Jose Barea, smacking him right in the face. Not surprising behavior from Artest, although not by any means called for. Barea said it best after the game, "It's not a basketball play."
Now with Artest out for game 3, there comes more concern on whether or not a win is possible for the Lakers. Odom thinks he will start, but there is also some speculation about Shannon Brown getting the nod.
"It was a really bad ending...we should have won that game," Los Angeles center Pao Gasol said after game 1.
What does all this mean for the Lakers? To put it in the most simple way, it couldn't get much worse for L.A. 78.6% of teams who win the first away game go on to take the series.
If L.A. wants to come out of game 3 with a ‘W', there's an abundance of things they are going to have to improve on. Gasol's and Odom's interior defense will have to improve, otherwise big man Dirk Nowitzki will take full advantage and there will be no chance for the Lakers. In the first two games, the Mavericks' points in the paint were what killed the Lakers, with most of that credit going to Dirk, along with very critical points from the bench. In game 2 alone the Dallas bench was able to contribute 30 points, while L.A.'s bench only mustered 12. Bryant will also need to take more initiative in being a team player and trusting in his team. The past two games combined he's only had three assists - granted he did have 36 points in game 1 and six steals in game 2. If the Mavericks are able to hold him to under 22 points during game 3, the Lakers will be in trouble.
"Obviously we have trust issues, and unless we come out and discuss them, nothing is going to change…its quite obvious to anybody watching the game," Bynum said after game 2. "Hesitation on passes, defensively not being there for your teammate because he wasn't there for you before - stuff like that, those things."
So here we go, Mavericks, keep up your great defense against Bryant and keep getting the ball to the big man Nowitzki and you're sure to make history and win game 3.
Lakers, if you want to win show us some defense and collaboration. Get the ball in the paint and play some defense. After all you guys are a championship team, right?
