The Lakers faced their first realistic Finals opponent of the season and gave Lakers Nation the one gift you can’t return: a disappointing loss on Christmas Day.
The Lakers started the game well by scoring the first 6 points of the game, but it quickly vanished as they just couldn’t get it together defensively. They got destroyed by the Cavaliers pick and roll pretty much the whole game, and allowed them to shoot an ugly 60% from the field in the first half.
Offensively, the Lakers weren’t much better. Pau and Bynum couldn’t get much going down low and our bench “stench” was nonexistent. Most of their scoring was from Kobe and Ron, but a lot of it was them going one on one and that wasn’t very efficient.
It seemed like the Lakers were in the ears of the referees the entire game. There were a few questionable calls, but at the end of the day, had they put half the energy they put into their defense as they did complaining, the outcome may have been a little different.
To let you go, I’d like to wish Lakers Nation a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the entire TLN staff; and I’d like to remind you all it’s just one game and there’s a rematch we all have to look forward to on January 21st, 2010.
Player of the Game: Kobe came close to a triple double with 35 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, and a perfect 12-12 from the line. Oh, and about 100 profanities to the referees.
Play of the Game: There weren’t very many highlight plays this game. Kobe had a nice up and under layup late in the game, but that’s about it.
What’s Up Next: The Lakers travel to Sacramento to play the Kings tomorrow night. I predict them to bounce back with a relatively easy win.
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