The Los Angeles Lakers headed into their first round playoff matchup with the San Antonio Spurs at the AT&T Center on Sunday with hopes of pulling out the win and taking the early lead in the series. Unfortunately, the Lakers were clearly outmatched and outplayed by a superior team on the road, with the Spurs cruising to victory, 91-79.
Although the Lakers remained competitive throughout the game in terms of being within striking distance, the 18 turnovers turned out to be the straw that broke the camel’s back with the team unable to recover.
Steve Nash returned to the floor after an eight-game absence, but was rusty to say the least. The two-time NBA MVP finished with 16 points and only three assists, while shooting an uncharacteristic 6-15 from the field. Dwight Howard played well filling up the stat sheet with 20 points, 15 rebounds and two blocks, but failed to impose his will inside the paint resulting in Tim Duncan adding 17 points and 11 rebounds.
Despite being within striking distance throughout the game, Manu Ginobili hitting a pair of threes at the end of the third quarter, ultimately put the Spurs up by a considerable margin and sealed the deal for San Antonio.
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Lakers News
Lakers News: Steve Nash Will Start Game 1 Against San Antonio Spurs [Examiner]
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Lakers Look To Push Reset Button In Playoffs [OC Register]
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NBA News
VIDEO: Nuggets’ JaVale McGee Posterizes Andrew Bogut [Sports City]
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NBA Playoffs: Bulls’ Derrick Rose Expected To Miss The Postseason [Sports City]
VIDEO: Knicks’ J.R. Smith Throws It Down Vs. Celtics In Game One [Sports City]
The Pass Melo Had To Make [SB Nation]
Deron Williams: Early-Offense Genius [SB Nation]
On Pastor Mark Jackson [SB Nation]
Aggressive Pacers Win With Offense, Knock Off Hawks 107-90 [Pro Basketball Talk]
Clippers Dominate The Glass, Dominate The Grizzlies In Game 1 Victory [Pro Basketball Talk]
Vinny Del Negro, When Asked If The Lakers Have A Shot Against The Spurs: ‘No’ [Pro Basketball Talk]
Deron Williams Dunks, Nets Throttle Limping Bulls [Pro Basketball Talk]
