The Lakers, as we all know, have hired Mike D’Antoni as head coach. But he was not coaching this game against the San Antonio Spurs; for the third game in a row, Bernie Bickerstaff was in the helm once again for the Lakers. Does Bickerstaff go 3-0 as Lakers coach? Or do the Spurs break the short winning streak of the Lakers? Let’s have a look-see.
1ST QUARTER
Some people were bothered by this.
Is anyone else bothered by Dwight wearing that headband? It’s really irking me.
— Nathan White (@loverofsports) November 14, 2012
The Spurs, the good team that they are, went on an immediate 10-0 run. The Lakers immediately called timeout.
Then the Lakers countered back with a 14-0 run. I think Bernie Bickerstaff told his guys, “You people need to score more than the Spurs.” Well, I don’t know but the Lakers sure did that. Dwight showed us how it was done.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLtkX7N5wY4
As if the Lakers were showing off to D’Antoni, Lakers were putting up shots early in the shotclock and were scoring in streaks.
And then nobody scored in about the last two minutes. Jordan Hill blew a breakaway lay-up at the buzzer. Everyone in L.A. got angry.
The Lakers led the Spurs after 1, 24-18.
2ND QUARTER
Other than a Chris Duhon shot, the Lakers went off to a bad start.
*does travel dance* RT @thenolookpass: Hey, Chris Duhon made a shot!
— David Lovekamp (@D_Love) November 14, 2012
It was a sloooow start for the Lakers but while the Spurs went on a 7-2 run, they didn’t look all that great. The Lakers were able to stave off the Spurs for a bit, which included, shockingly, a Chris Duhon 3.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vt8KRpKGgms
Kobe continued his excellent play (15-3-5 at the half) in the young season. He was very efficient on the floor (7/11) and continued to do his playmaking (5 assists). With some help from Darius Morris, Dwight Howard, and Pau Gasol, they kept the Spurs away and led, 43-38, at the half.
Still, we all wish they kept the turnovers down (9). But they’ve looked better defensively (Spurs shot 37%).
3RD QUARTER
This was an ugly quarter.
Someone made an observation about Dwight Howard again.
With the headband, half-goatee and arm sleeves, Dwight Howard looks like the biggest strongest 9th grader in history.
— patrick muldowney (@patmuldowney) November 14, 2012
While he had some gaudy stats, he kept losing the ball. That led to a Spurs 7-0 run, which looked bigger because of the low-scoring affair.
But Metta World Peace, the birthday boy, took the lead back with a 3.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnRx6WZg01A
That started a 7-0 run of their own, which, again, was big since it was a low-scoring game. But the Spurs came back with timely defensive plays and Tim Duncan lay-ins.
The Spurs took the lead with that last basket. At the end of the 3, it was San Antonio 60, Lakers 59.
4TH QUARTER
With not very many offensive weapons out at the start of the fourth quarter, the Spurs took a five-point lead early, 67-62. And I agreed with this tweeter:
Please get Kobe back in the game. Now. Please. NAO!
— Auntie Dee Dee (@SoCalGal64) November 14, 2012
Our wish was granted. Kobe came in as the point guard then made an immediate 3.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8948EhFNrqg
In fact, Kobe went on to score 7 of the next 9 Laker points after his return.
Late in the game, they traded baskets. Metta made a long 2. Tony Parker made a shot. Antawn Jamison made a huge 3. Then Tim Duncan converted a 20-footer. By that time, they took a break to look at Metta’s long shot. The score was Spurs 79, Lakers 78. We were seeing playoff-caliber basketball in November. Pretty cool.
Then Pau got fouled on a driving lay-up. He made both freethrows to take the lead for L.A., 80-79. After an empty Spurs possession, Pau made a jumper to extend the lead to 3. Tim Duncan countered with a lay-up to pull within 82-81. Metta missed a 3. And the Spurs got the ball back with 19.9 seconds left.
The Spurs got Danny Green open and he made them pay. Spurs 84, Lakers 82 with 9.3 seconds left.
Pau Gasol missed a 3 at the end of the game. Spurs survive a close one, 84-82.
STAT LEADERS
POINTS: Kobe Bryant, 28.
REBOUNDS: Dwight Howard, 15.
ASSISTS: Kobe Bryant, 8.
STEALS: Jodie Meeks, 2.
BLOCKS: Dwight Howard, 3.
