Unlike previous seasons where the Los Angeles Lakers were battling in mid-June for championships, this roster was ousted in the second-round of the post-season. Although the season was cut short for Los Angeles, that doesn’t mean there were not thrilling games.
The 66-game schedule was a grueling test for the players, but it also gave fans the chance to watch exciting games more often. The Lakers had their fair share of intense games and here is out take on the top ten Lakers game of the 2011-12 NBA season.
10: Lakers-92 Nuggets-89, December 31, 2011
The Los Angeles Lakers played their fourth game of the season against the Denver Nuggets and it was the first game for Andrew Bynum of 2011-12. Bynum returned from his four-game suspension and he helped the Lakers with a 29 point, 13 rebounds performance.
The game was close throughout and neither team was able to open up a big lead. In the final minutes of the game, Kobe Bryant made clutch plays to regain the lead and put away the Nuggets. However, the Lakers caught a major break when Danilo Gallinari blew a wide-open layup, which led to Lakers’ free-throws which iced the game.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoNd4OLtSxo
9: Lakers-93 Hornets-91, April 9, 2012
The Los Angeles Lakers headed down to the Big Easy without Kobe Bryant to play the struggling Hornets. Bryant missed the game due to a shin injury, and the Lakers had trouble winning the game. Los Angeles faced a large deficit in the fourth quarter, but the team showed poise in the final period.
The Lakers went on an incredible 15-2 run and their big men dominated the final minutes. Pau Gasol finished the game with 25 points and nine rebounds while Bynum put in 18 points and 11 rebounds.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyXv_EyxdC8
Next Page: Games 8 and 7
8: Lakers-104 Warriors-101, March, 27, 2012
The Los Angeles Lakers faced off with their divisional rival Warriors, and just like most cases, this game came down to the buzzer. The Warriors tend to play extremely well against the Lakers and they put on a show for their home-crowd. The Lakers had a strong start to the game, but the Warriors’ ability to shoot threes brought them back into the game.
However, it was Kobe Bryant who closed the game and delivered the Lakers a victory. In the final 64 seconds of the game, Kobe hit the game-tying shot and also the game-winning shot. Bryant finished the game with 30 points and the Lakers won 104-101.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZtzVNiEbCI
7: Lakers-73 Mavericks-70, January 16, 2012
It was an emotional game for the Lakers as it was the first time they hosted the team that swept them out of the 2011 playoffs, but it was also the first time Lamar Odom came to Los Angeles since getting traded.
The game was very low-scoring and at times it did not seem like the past two champions were on the court. However, with only seconds left to play, the Lakers had the ball with the chance to win.
Everyone expected Kobe Bryant to shooting the ball, however, he found Derek Fisher open on the perimeter. Fisher hit nothing but net for perhaps his last game-winning shot as a member of the Lakers.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIk2-_hNuFE
Next Page: Games 6 and 5
6: Lakers-112 Mavericks-110, April 15, 2012
The Los Angeles Lakers played yet another game without their star Kobe Bryant, but they still managed to find a way to win the game. The Lakers faced a deficit in the fourth quarter, but the role players stepped in the period. Metta World Peace and Ramon Sessions made big plays for the Lakers and managed to send the game into overtime.
In the extra session, Pau Gasol surprised everyone with his two-corner threes. Those two shots essentially put the Mavericks away while sending Staples Center into a frenzy.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j87NMN1L6tQ
5: Lakers-88 Celtics-87, February 9, 2012
The Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics are arch rivals and whenever they play, it is going to be a battle. In the Lakers’ lone visit to Boston, the team battled for a full 48 minutes, but still needed an overtime to come out victorious.
Just as expected, the game stayed close throughout and it came down to one final possession. The Lakers held a one-point lead, but the Celtics had the ball with a chance to win. Paul Pierce missed a fade-away jumper, but Ray Allen was open under the basket looking to put it in. However, Pau Gasol came from no where and sealed the victory with a game-winning block.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aS6vJR-EI8c
Next Page: Games 4 and 3
4: Lakers-97 Celtics-94, March 11, 2012
The Boston Celtics lost a heart-breaking game on their home-court to the Lakers, and they wanted to avenge that loss in Los Angeles. Just like their last meeting, this one in California was a back-and-forth battle. The game was close from the tip and the winner was determined on the final play.
However, it was not Kobe Bryant who iced the game, instead it was Andrew Bynum who put away the Celtics. It was truly the first time the Lakers relied on Bynum in the clutch and his 20 points and 14 rebounds were huge.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrFjdTpkSsQ
3: Lakers- 96 Nuggets-87, May 12, 2012
The Los Angeles Lakers played in an unexpected Game 7 in the first round against the Denver Nuggets. The Nuggets tested the Lakers all series long and they even managed to take a four point lead in the fourth quarter.
However, when the game and the season were on the line, the Lakers showed poise and a championship demeanor. The big men returned to dominating the ball and when the Lakers needed a shot, Kobe Bryant gave it to them.
Five Lakers scored in double-digits led by Pau Gasol with 23 and a surprising 19 from Steve Blake off the bench.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCON-hDL7_c
Next Page: Games 2 and 1
2: Lakers-98 Spurs-84, April 11, 2012
The Los Angeles Lakers played perhaps their best game against one of the best teams in the league, the San Antonio Spurs. What made this win more special is the fact that the Lakers did it on the road without Kobe Bryant.
The Lakers opened the game up with a large lead and there never a moment where the Spurs had a chance to get back. Los Angeles held a 26-point advantage in the fourth quarter and they got contributions from nearly everyone.
Metta World Peace scored 26 points, Pau Gasol had 21 points, but the player of the game was Andrew Bynum who had 16 points and 30 rebounds.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYXEvSO-ULw
1: Lakers-114 Thunder-106, April 22, 2012
The Los Angeles Lakers’ best game of the 2011-12 season was no doubt their duel against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Lakers were down 17 points in the fourth quarter and it seemed as though the Thunder were on the verge of winning. Los Angeles had already lost Metta World Peace due to a flagrant two foul, and the coaching staff decided to use three bench players in the final period.
However, those three bench players helped the Lakers mount a massive comeback in front of the Staples Center crowd. Kobe Bryant then made the big shots in the fourth quarter and both overtimes to complete the game.
The Lakers outscored the Thunder 30-14 in the fourth quarter, and Bryant finished the game with 26 points.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CH85BWhTV40