Tonight needs to be perfect. The Lakers are down 3-1 in the series and are on the cusp of getting eliminated from the playoffs altogether. Gasol and Bynum have been extremely inconsistent this playoffs and it’s time for them to play like they want to win tonight. There has to be heart in their game.
Durant and Westbrook will most likely be heated up for the game tonight. Both have thrived recently in the fourth quarter. The Lakers need to keep strong till the end, as this series is not over. The Lakers have every capability of winning this fifth game. Being on the road will be especially tough, but I have faith in this team to keep the series going. Most of all, any ill-feelings or blame passing from this past Saturday needs to be squashed, or put to the side. The Lakers need to play like a team, and having ill-feelings towards one another will likely result in chaos. Hopefully, they can find harmony before 6:30pm.
Game 5, Semi-Finals, Western Conference
Los Angeles Lakers at Oklahoma City Thunder
6:30 PM PST, May 21, 2012
Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
TV: TNT
Radio: 710 AM (English), 1330 AM (Spanish)
Series Recap:
Game 1: Los Angeles 90 at Oklahoma City 119
Game 2: Los Angeles 75 at Oklahoma city 77
Game 3: Oklahoma City 96 at Los Angeles 99
Game 4: Oklahoma City 103 at Los Angeles 100
Game 5: Tonight
*Game 6: May 23, vs Oklahoma City – TBD – ESPN
*Game 7: May 27, at Oklahoma City – TBD – TNT
*if necessary
Thunder Projected Starting Line-Up:
PG: Russell Westbrook
SG: Thabo Sefolosha
SF: Kevin Durant
PF: Serge Ibaka
C: Kendrick Perkins
Key Reserves: G James Harden, G Derek Fisher, F Nick Collison
Lakers Nation News
Video: Mike Brown Does His Best Kobe Impression
Mike Brown Expects Kobe and Pau to Work It Out
Lakers vs Thunder Pre-Game Report
Mike Brown to Blame for the Playoffs Collapse?
Lakers Need the Real Pau Gasol to Finally Stand Up
10 Things to Do to Get Over Laker Losses
Staples Center Ice Not at Fault for Excessive Slipping in Game 4
Lakers Having Trouble Accepting Blame After Game 4 Meltdown
Lakers News
Lakers, Thunder Game Preview [Silver Screen and Roll]
Thunder Rally Puts Lakers on Edge of Elimination [SB Nation]
Thunder vs Lakers: Time for the Real James Harden to Stand Up [Welcome to Loud City]
How The Lakers Can Win Tonight [OC Register]
Kobe, Pau and Fleeting Chemistry [Forum Blue and Gold]
Lakers vs Thunder: Keys to Game 5 [SB Nation]
Matt Barnes Diminished Playing Time Seems to Help Lakers [LA Times]
Love vs Business: Preview [Yahoo Sports]
Kobe and Pau: It Must Be the End of Their Era [OC Register]
NBA News
Inside Staples Center: A Week Like None Other [Yahoo Sports]
Spurs Eliminate Clippers [NBA.com]
Jrue Holiday is Playing Great Again [SB Nation]
Magic Part Ways with Stan Van Gundy [Yahoo Sports]
Credit is Due to Clippers [NBA.com]
Why We Are so Skeptical of Lebron James [SB Nation]
NBA Cheering Section: Playoff Edition [OC Register]
Spurs Become Odds Favorite to Win NBA Title [CBS Sports]
Avery Bradley Out for Game 5 vs Sixers [SB Nation]
