The Lakers started their end of season run off on the right foot. Winning against an under-manned and struggling in general Warriors team was as close to a must-win game as one can get with 23 games left in the season. Lose and the questions continue, the identity as a team that wilts under pressure gains continues, the overall malaise that had built up around the team continues. Instead the Lakers took the first step in changing a season-long narrative of futility and ineptitude and gained ground on some key teams in the doing.
- Off night for both LeBron and AD. There have been a couple games this season where AD or LeBron (or both) were out and the team came through with a win. none were as convincing as last night’s victory. With Davis and James combining for 8-25 shooting (25 points) and 21 rebounds the stage was set for a disappointing loss. The rest of the Lakers did an admirable job in picking up their two best players and, for a night at least, providing enough firepower to get them over the line with a W.
- Reaves’ perfect night. Austin had a perfect night from the field and a solid game overall. While he didn’t force his offense he was still stellar and helped build a big cushion in the 3rd quarter, an area we’ve struggled in for the most part this season. In his post gamer Austin estimated he had hit the weight room and played “about 110 holes of golf” which is curious because there are 18 holes on most golf courses.
- Shooter! Malik Beasley showed everyone yearning for a volume three point shooter that the place where shooters go to die won’t be claiming his soul, at least not yet. He was magnificent from beyond the arc, solid on defense with 3 steals and had a great game overall after D-Lo went down with an ankle injury. Great game from the new addition.
- Worst coaches challenge ever? Darvin Ham has been pretty solid in terms of when and on what calls to deploy the coaches challenge this season. Last night he challenged one of the most blatant fouls called on a player I’ve seen in a long time. I know LeBron went apoplectic when the foul was called, that’s what he always does. Don’t waste those and don’t get caught up in your player’s emotions. Less than 5 minutes, maybe even 3 or 2, in close games is the only time to ever use a coaches challenge. Players will whine about calls. Always. Don’t let that effect the decision to use it.
- D’Angelo goes down and then goes out. Bad timing for D-Lo when he rolled that ankle, hoping he comes back as it didn’t look too serious but would rather he get it under control now and come back strong. Injury bug came back after the break, too, unfortunately.
All in all I’m still taking this win with a small grain of salt. Warriors have had defensive and turnover issues all season long and that continued coupled with some bad shooting that wasn’t always the result of good Laker D. A healthy and hungry Dallas team looms on Sunday and that will be a solid challenge for the new squad, one that really hasn’t seen a complete, healthy and hungry team, yet. Need to keep on winning in-conference and division games, though, so this was a solid first step in the right direction.