01/28: Pau Gasol's Return to LA: LAKERS vs. Chicago Bulls Q-by-Q Reaction

OT2:

Score: CHI 118 LAL 123

Despite the blown lead, the Lakers perservered big time, especially against a really good Bulls team. Jordan Hill and Wayne Ellington headlined this quarter and basically the whole game. Kobe Bryant gone, Nick Young still out, the Lakers needed to learn to close out regardless of experience in the clutch and aside from a couple of meltdowns, they found a way to win and end a long streak of losing + tanking. Stay tuned for the full recap.

OT:

Score: CHI 106 LAL 106

Oh man, I was holding my breath when Derrick Rose shot that step back. That's the same move that killed the Warriors on Tuesday night. Big bucket from Jordan Hill to tie up the game. He hasn't shot outside the paint until now and it couldn't have come at a better time. 2nd OT, gonna be up here all night if we want to.

Q4:

Score: CHI 98 LAL 98

It was 89-98 late in the 4th. Unbelievable for Byron Scott to put Clarkson in that position to advance the ball half court when the Bulls are known to trap. The defense trapped Clarkson hard and resulted in quick point off of his turnovers. Oh well, overtime in the Staples Center. The Lakers have come this far and blowing this game in extra time would put a lot of effort to waste.

Q3:

Score: CHI 76 LAL 80

And here come the Bulls. This is slowly reminiscing of that Wizards game on Tuesday. The Lakers have a big margin of a lead, then it gets evaporated in the 2nd half. The same thing is happening again. They were leading 15 points at one point this quarter and after all that, it was all Bulls. On the last play, Clarkson should've given it up to Lin for the final shot of the quarter, rookie mistake.

Q2:

Score: CHI 48 LAL 59

D. Rose had that shot, but luckily enough that missed. 1 quarter missed, but that's okay. From what I'm hearing, the Lakers are putting up a tremendous effort against the Bulls. The bench is much better than last Tuesday's and they're one of the reasons why the Lakers have an 11 point advantage. Onto the halftime report.

Q1:

Score: CHI 19 LAL 28

*Disclaimer: posting from my mobile. I may be running a little late. I'll still cover the game, but pretty good chance I might miss a good chunk of the first quarter. I'll be back soon hopefully.*