Now that’s what I call a basketball game! Last night’s contest between the Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks had a lot riding on the outcome: both teams are neck-in-neck for the 2nd seed in the Western Conference, and with only two weeks left in the regular season every game counts. The tension was palpable throughout Staples Center especially in the second half: everyone, from the players to the coaches to the fans could feel the playoff atmosphere permeating the game.
While I didn’t feel that the first half started strong defensively for the Lakers, there were other positives. Instead of 
Drew had a particularly strong move against three defenders and just powered his way through to get the basket. Pau is often the antithesis to Bynum’s brute strength and showed his versatility by using his soft touch for one of the Lakers’ many second chance opportunities.
L.A was working together all night and dominated on the boards, in the paint, and shared the ball. In the second quarter, Kobe got a steal, Ron missed a three, Lamar rebounded the ball and Pau got the put back dunk: that sequence epitomizes what the Lakers are all about.
The defense improved mightily in the second half and they pulled away for good to win by 28 points. Lamar had a double double off the bench and Andrew had one as well to go along with Kobe’s 28 points.
It was a dominant performance by a team absolutely rolling since the All Star Break: the Lakers are now 16-1 since, and the only team with a better post-All Star record ever was the 1999-2000 Lakers who went 16-0 through the first sixteen games. The most exciting part is that they aren’t letting up; something clicked mentally for the purple and gold, and they are locked in with their eyes on June. I love seeing how hungry and determined they are, it’s very encouraging.
Next: In Which the Game Gets a Bit Chippy
I’ve said it before that even though Dallas is always a perennial playoff contender, I don’t normally think of them as much of a threat to the Lakers’ ultimate goal. They are rarely on our side of the Western Conference bracket. In fact, the Lakers haven’t played the Mavericks in a playoff series since 1988, so it’s hard for me to take them as a legitimate opponent since I haven’t seen them get a crack at the Lakers when it counted. Furthermore Dirk Nowitzki is one of the best European players to ever play in the NBA- he’s supremely talented and seems like a nice enough guy, so there isn’t much to go on from that angle.
The sequence that unfolded was shocking, but not altogether detrimental to last night’s game or the Lakers moving forward. I would argue that it showed their toughness and togetherness and let the league know that they won’t stand for being manhandled on the court.
I saw a different Steve Blake last night and was pleasantly surprised with the Steve 2.0 version. He was driving in the lane looking to score for once, as well as pass, and got right in Jason Terry’s face after being pushed to the ground. I thought of him as the type ofplayer who would calmly walk away and make his free throws, but I was proud to see him stand up for himself and jaw back. It was good to see an aggressive side of him because that’s what this team needs moving forward.
Next: Killer Bee’s Sting Together
Blake hasn’t had an overwhelming impact in the regular season, but it’s getting to that time of year where legends are born. Maybe he will have his own game winning put back a la Ron Artest, or his own buzzer beating three like his starting counterpart Derek Fisher.
While it isn’t always necessary or desirable to pick up technical fouls or get ejected, I loved the energy and what it represented. It was a statement by the champs that they will play hard and won’t stand for being disrespected whether they’re down by 10 in the first quarter or up by 20 in the 4th.
On a similar note, I respected Matt Barnes for sticking up for his teammate. It shows how close this Lakers team is and 
He didn’t ask GM Mitch Kupchak about playing time before signing a contract, which is rare; he has never publicly complained about his role on the team, and seems to genuinely relish it; and he has steadily improved throughout the year and brings great energy and feisty-ness off the bench. Matty has been a real asset, and had an incredible one handed dunk in the second quarter off a Shannon Brown pass in the paint.
Unfortunately, the Killer B’s were all ejected last night along with Jason Terry and Brendan Haywood from Dallas. Brown’s was an incident unrelated to the first fight, coming with less than two minutes to play in the game. Brian Cardinal fouled Gasol hard, and Shannon shoved him away after getting tangled up which resulted in an early trip to the locker room.
Next: The Odd Appeal of Conflict in Sports
I’m not going to lie…. I love fights in sports. I know it’s frowned upon and bad for the integrity of the game, but as long as no one is seriously injured I find them very exciting. One of my favorites was the preseason fight between Doug Christie (of Sacramento) and Rick Fox two minutes into the game.
Both got ejected and then Rick sprinted through the tunnel and came out the other side to pound on Christie as he headed to the visitors’ locker room. Both benches were involved and both players were suspended for a number of games. I loved it! Fights are always fun in sports and the feisty behavior and bad blood evident between the two teams was on full view, which is what helps make rivalries so great.
Oklahoma City or Portland could be the antagonists of the future, or it might just end up being Dallas… the battle of two of the greatest Europeans in the NBA, Bynum versus Chandler in the paint, the elder statesmen contest between Jason Kidd and Derek Fisher, and Kobe just being who he is. It has the potential to be an exciting match-up.
Bryant hit a classically difficult fall-away jumper towards the end of the game and let his swagger show, wagging his finger and pursing his lips at the crowd. That’s one of my favorite Kobe celebration moves.
I didn’t think it would be possible a few weeks ago, but it looks as if the Lakers might be able to catch San Antonio for the number one seed in the West. They are now only 2.5 games back and have a firmer hold on the two seed as well thanks to the win over Dallas last night. While other teams are falling apart, the Lakers are surging at the right time of the season. They know what it takes to win and can see that third straight trophy tantalizingly close to the finish line.
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