duncan228
04-13-2008, 10:10 AM
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/la-lakers-san-2017033-antonio-spurs
Lakers game vs. Spurs key to playoffs
By CURTIS ZUPKE
EL SEGUNDO — As usual, the road goes through San Antonio.
The playoffs haven't started, but the Lakers have the longtime nemesis Spurs in their way in the Western Conference race.
A victory Sunday would mean the Lakers can finish no worse than second in the West. They have a half game lead on San Antonio as both teams jockey for position with New Orleans, with the Spurs and Hornets holding a game in hand.
Of more pressing concern is a Spurs team that is third in the NBA in points allowed and 3-point field-goal percentage defense.
"The real key with San Antonio is about being able to score at the offensive end," Coach Phil Jackson said.
San Antonio beat Golden State, 116-92, on April 1 and defeated Portland, 72-65, five days later. That ability to push the pace and grind it out helps explain why the Spurs are defending champions.
"They can do it all," Derek Fisher said. "That's something that we're actually trying to develop as a team ourselves — to be able hold a team to 80 points and still figure out a way to win the game."
Friday's Lakers victory was tempered by some ongoing defensive issues, namely struggles against quick guards.
New Orleans shot 51.3 percent from the field as Tyson Chandler throw down five dunks, three off alley-oops.
"Teams have been able to attack us in the paint with penetration and get second shots at times," Fisher said. "Our transition defense has been poor. In our estimation a lot of it has been related to poor execution on our offensive end, which really doesn't allow you to have good defensive balance."
The Lakers have also averaged 34 3-point attempts the past three games, way more than the 15-20 Jackson has deemed ideal.
They are willing to live with such issues this late in the season as long as they are winning, and playing in playoff-type games might be more important than statistics.
"It's good to get us ready for that next step," Pau Gasol said. "We've been playing a lot of games with a lot of meaning. It's good for us to get to the playoffs and not relax and lose. We have to play like we've had with a winning mentality."
Lakers game vs. Spurs key to playoffs
By CURTIS ZUPKE
EL SEGUNDO — As usual, the road goes through San Antonio.
The playoffs haven't started, but the Lakers have the longtime nemesis Spurs in their way in the Western Conference race.
A victory Sunday would mean the Lakers can finish no worse than second in the West. They have a half game lead on San Antonio as both teams jockey for position with New Orleans, with the Spurs and Hornets holding a game in hand.
Of more pressing concern is a Spurs team that is third in the NBA in points allowed and 3-point field-goal percentage defense.
"The real key with San Antonio is about being able to score at the offensive end," Coach Phil Jackson said.
San Antonio beat Golden State, 116-92, on April 1 and defeated Portland, 72-65, five days later. That ability to push the pace and grind it out helps explain why the Spurs are defending champions.
"They can do it all," Derek Fisher said. "That's something that we're actually trying to develop as a team ourselves — to be able hold a team to 80 points and still figure out a way to win the game."
Friday's Lakers victory was tempered by some ongoing defensive issues, namely struggles against quick guards.
New Orleans shot 51.3 percent from the field as Tyson Chandler throw down five dunks, three off alley-oops.
"Teams have been able to attack us in the paint with penetration and get second shots at times," Fisher said. "Our transition defense has been poor. In our estimation a lot of it has been related to poor execution on our offensive end, which really doesn't allow you to have good defensive balance."
The Lakers have also averaged 34 3-point attempts the past three games, way more than the 15-20 Jackson has deemed ideal.
They are willing to live with such issues this late in the season as long as they are winning, and playing in playoff-type games might be more important than statistics.
"It's good to get us ready for that next step," Pau Gasol said. "We've been playing a lot of games with a lot of meaning. It's good for us to get to the playoffs and not relax and lose. We have to play like we've had with a winning mentality."