Reply With Quote
Yes Carmello you did everything but win the game and if you haven't noticed that is the entire point of the playoffs.
Denver at Los Angeles Preview
Game info: 9:00 pm EDT Thu May 21, 2009
TV: ESPN
By Beth Harris
Nobody was feeling luckier than Kobe Bryant a day after rescuing the Los Angeles Lakers from certain defeat against the Denver Nuggets in their Western Conference finals opener.
“We just kind of got away with one,” he said, grinning. “It happens sometimes.”
Bryant scored 40 points, including six free throws in the final 30 seconds Tuesday night, to give the Lakers a 105-103 victory after being outplayed most of the game.
Call it stealing one at home.
“It was one of those gutty performances that you have to have throughout the postseason,” Bryant said after practice Wednesday. “We had everything working against us—mistakes, loose balls, bobbling balls out of bounds. It just seemed like one of those nights, but we managed to pull through it.”
Game 2 is Thursday night at Staples Center.
Bryant was forced into playing both ends of the floor after teammate Trevor Ariza couldn’t stop Denver’s Carmelo Anthony, who owned a lackluster history against the Lakers until exploding for 39 points.
Bryant started out defending Chauncey Billups (18 points), then took on J.R. Smith (eight points) before sliding over late to Anthony, his U.S. Olympic teammate. Forget asking coach Phil Jackson for permission to change defensive assignments, either.
“We have the type of relationship where I just do it,” Bryant said. “Whatever it took to win the game, I had to do. It was fun.”
Anthony had a breakout game, going 14 of 20 from the floor, including 4 of 5 from 3-point range, 7 of 8 from the line, with six rebounds and four assists.
“He’s been phenomenal,” Billups said. “For a while he fell out of that whole LeBron (James), D-Wade, Melo talk and I’m happy that he’s back where he should be. He’s led his team to the Western Conference finals and he’s been the best player on our team all year.”
But Anthony doesn’t consider himself the kind of one-man show Bryant had to be for the Lakers.
“I don’t really think it’s about me putting up numbers,” Anthony said. “I’m not going to beat the Lakers by myself. Chauncey’s not going to beat the Lakers by himself. We need our bench, our X-factor guys J.R. (Smith), LK (Linas Kleiza) and Birdman (Chris Andersen). We need everybody like we’ve been doing it so far.”
Smith sprained his right knee in the game, but he said it was better Wednesday.
“I’m definitely going to play,” he said. “I’ll be ready for tomorrow.”
A day later, the Nuggets were feeling they outplayed the Lakers most of the way but had nothing to show for it.
“Our heads are still high. We’re still standing tall, we’re still confident,” Anthony said. “We did everything but win the game. We can take that as a good sign. We’re going to respond, I guarantee you we respond.”
Series Breakdown
Yes Carmello you did everything but win the game and if you haven't noticed that is the entire point of the playoffs.
Lakers fans: " Nuggets will never recover from game 1 !!!!! "
I heard that K-mart broke his finger...can anyone confirm?
Some info here, he didn't practice but will play.
http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=126842
Referee Assignments
Thurs. May 21
Denver @ L.A. Lakers: S. Javie, D. Bavetta, M. Davis
Kenyon Martin: Expected to Play Thursday
Update: Martin (finger) is expected to play on Thursday night in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals despite fracturing the ring finger on his left hand in Game 1, the Denver Post reports.
Recommendation: The good news is the fracture wasn’t on his shooting hand and he’s not an integral part of the club’s offense as it is. The bad news is his limited offensive game will be limited even more and any major hits to the injury could force him out of the game. If he can’t go then Denver will be in a tough spot because Renaldo Balkman is doubtful with a sprained ankle.
J.R. Smith: Okay for Game 2
Update: Smith said his calf strain won’t keep him out of Thursday night’s Game 2 of the Western Conference finals against at L.A., the Denver Post reports.
Recommendation: Smith suffered the strain late in Game 1 and there was some concern that he’d be sidelined for Game 2. He did not run during practice on Wednesday but said he will be ready to go on Thursday. “I’m definitely going to play,” Smith said. “I don’t think nothing can keep me from this game. It’s getting better. It’s more of a calf strain than anything. I’m doing the right thing, just staying and getting extra treatment.” While Smith wasn’t particularly effective in Game 1 his presence still carries some weight and his absence would put added pressure on other bench players like Linus Kleiza and Anthony Carter to pick up the scoring slack.
Renaldo Balkman: Doubtful for Game 2
Update: Balkman (ankle) is listed as doubtful for Thursday’s Game 2 of the Western Conference finals against the Lakers, the Denver Post reports.
Recommendation: While he hasn’t played hardly at all in the playoffs thus far his availability, or lack thereof, could be crucial to the Nuggets’ chances if Kenyon Martin is forced out of the game due to his broken left ring finger.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
