A Hollywood Beginning - Lakers 1-0

May 22, 2008 |

Kobe Bryant may not have started the game the way his teammates would have liked it but by the end of the fourth it all came together. In Game 1 of the Western Finals the Lakers showed the Spurs just how we do it L.A. with a 89-85 victory. Bryant scored 25 of his 27 pts in the second half. The free throws that he hit gave L.A. their first lead in the fourth quarter. Tim Duncan did have his way down low, scoring a game-high 30 pts and 18 rebounds. Pau Gasol was in double figures, scoring 18 and Sasha Vujacic put in the final free throws to seal the deal.

This is how I see this series, when it come to Tim Duncan and Gasol. We know that Duncan had his way with him for the most part last night, but if Gasol can keep Duncan in foul trouble then that will take alot of the easy points away that are being made down low. The Spurs do have great premiered shooters but that is where double team comes into play. The Lakers are also going to have to push this team to the limits. What do I mean by that, well they are going to have to make them play their ball. Fast and a high scoring game. The Lakers are going to have to not let these game get close. The higher they score the hard it is on the Spurs. Not saying the Spurs have a problem with the scoring but if the can beat them down in the fourth and get the game in the triple digits then the Spurs will have a problem. Derek Fisher is also going to have to find his rhythm too. The Lakers bench is going to have to contuine to play the way they have been with excitement. Ronny Turiaf had some great blocks against Duncan and we will need that alot (i.e. on the ROAD). Lakers bench stepped up way more than the Spurs bench. And last but not least continue to play as teammates. Trust in each other and soon we will be on our way to the Finals. This is going to be a great series.

[?]