In their first game after watching Kobe Bryant rupture his Achillies tendon, the Lakers took on the San Antonio Spurs. With only two games left, the Lakers hold a one game lead on the Utah Jazz for the eighth seed in the west. In what could be a potential first round matchup, the Lakers will need to lean on Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard.
Let’s get to the highlights.
Dwight Howard Hook-Shot
Dwight Howard Dunk
Dwight Howard showing some good post moves, beat Duncan with running hook and again with drop-step for a dunk.
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) April 15, 2013
Darius Morris checks in for Jodie Meeks
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) April 15, 2013
Howard has eight of the Lakers’ first 16 points and has looked very active on the offensive end. Good sign for the Lakers.
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) April 15, 2013
Darius Morris Scores
Heady play by Morris to initiate the contact into a retreating Tim Duncan and create space to get that transition layup to go
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 15, 2013
Antawn Jamison Layup
The Spurs are just going under mostscreen when Duhon, Morris or Blake tries to play screen/roll with LAL bigs. Causing lots of TO’s (9).
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) April 15, 2013
Steve Blake looking quite good early on tonight. 9 points and a mini 5-0 run for him.
— Darius Soriano (@forumbluegold) April 15, 2013
Without Kobe, Lakers have four assists against nine turnovers and are shooting 37% but are at least trying hard. … SA 30, LAL 29.
— KEVIN DING (@KevinDing) April 15, 2013
Steve Blake for Three
Steve Blake knocks down another 3 and the Lakers take the lead 37-35
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) April 15, 2013
Dwight Howard putback
LAL’s effort on D was impressive; they held SAS to just 34.9% FG’s. Maybe they tried too hard on O, also, shooting 35.6%. 43-all tie.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) April 15, 2013
Metta World Peace Left-Handed Dunk
Lakers (uncharacteristically) hungry coming out of halftime. Two nice Dwight post moves, Metta with a jam. … LAL 49, SA 43.
— KEVIN DING (@KevinDing) April 15, 2013
Pau Gasol Jump Shot
There we go, Pau. Finally gets a jumper to go in and has an enormous look of relief on his face. Game is tied.
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) April 15, 2013
As if this game wasn’t ugly enough to begin with, the Hack-A-Dwight might put everybody to sleep. Man, I hate this.
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) April 15, 2013
Dwight Howard Block
Howard hit both FT’s for the first time here (4 of 10 in Hack-a-Howard situations), so we have a 61-all tie heading into the 4th.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) April 15, 2013
Antawn Jamison for Three
That’s back-to-back 3’s from Jamison now, a nice find from Meeks in transition lining him up. LAL lead up to 69-64 early in the 4th.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) April 15, 2013
Jamison has drilled three triples in a row, providing nine huge points here in the 4th. Lakers back up, 72-71.
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) April 15, 2013
Metta World Peace Lefty Layup
Didn’t think I’d see this all year: Darius Morris on the fastbreak to World Peace for a layup. Lakers inch closer to victory…
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) April 15, 2013
Lakers had led by 11 with Howard’s tip in, but Duncan just capped a 6-0 run with a tough hoop. Spurs within 5, 2:23 left.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) April 15, 2013
Dwight Howard Hook Shot
Lakers leading 86-81 w/ less than two minutes to go in the 4th. Howard headed to the line for FTs.
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) April 15, 2013
LAKERS WIN IT, 91-86.
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) April 15, 2013