*This week does not include tonight's 100-125 win over the Phoenix Suns*
No matter how much you put it, last week was a very tough week. But, the Lakers managed to stay strong and continue to push through this season. This week, it was time to get back to normalcy. Many have not noticed, but the top seed in the West is too close for comfort. With this notion, the Lakers must refocus. They've been reeling, especially against the better teams in the league. With a couple more games until the All-Star break, let's see how they fare to wrap up the first half of the regular season.
02/04: vs. San Antonio 102-129 [W] (38-11)
The Lakers and Staples Center returned to normal Tuesday after a somber week. This game, it was back to business. This stretch of the season should be favorable as the NBA inches closer to All-Star weekend. The Lakers and Spurs were always a headline on prime time. But with the Spurs' recent struggles, it's tough to view this matchup that way. Outside of DeMar DeRozan going off for 28 points, the Spurs struggled all around as a team. It was close though. Then, LeBron went bonkers for 6 three-pointers to help the Lakers pull away against the reeling Spurs. Not only that, the Lakers crushed the Spurs on the boards with 58 rebounds compared to the Spurs' 28 rebounds. Spurs should consider a rebuild at this point.
02/06: vs. Houston 111-121 [L] (38-12)
The trade deadline passed and the Lakers chose to stand pat. For the Rockets though, they revamped the roster going ultra small ball by sending away Clint Capela. I mean they're throwing P.J. Tucker into the pit and asking him to play Center. The Lakers have the size and length advantage. This should be easy.
It was not. Honestly with the tall lineup the Lakers have, how do you lose to a team full of midgets? Well, Mike D'Antoni said it best: it doesn't matter if teams dominate all statistical categories against them as long as they score more than the opposition. The Lakers didn't use their size enough. This is a team where you see they have a small lineup, you use that size and bully ball inside. They didn't do that and instead try to play the Rockets' style of play: jacking up 3s and turning the ball over. We can't undermine Russell Westbrook's 41-point performance. In the midst of James Harden's struggles, he's picked up the load and he carried the team. As for the Lakers, y'all epitomized the story of David vs. Goliath this game. What a shame.
02/08: @ Golden State 125-120 [W] (39-12)
Classy on the Warriors organization's part in providing a tribute to Kobe Bryant and Gianna Bryant during the game. Respect.
It's the Lakers vs. the Santa Cruz Warriors...and Andrew Wiggins. That's what it really is. Despite the Warriors struggles, facing them on the road spells "trap" for the Lakers. Considering how they stunk up the joint vs. the Rockets the other night, I wouldn't be surprised if they played down to their level of competition. That wasn't the case the third quarter as the Lakers blew the game wide open to a 20 point lead. Time to rest AD and LeBron. But, they can't hold onto the lead that LeBron had to bail them out with another dagger 3. A win is a win. Call it that the Lakers are still recovering from an emotional past week. But, this is a cause for concern, especially when they didn't make any moves at the trade deadline. Luckily, there's two more games after this until the team heads into the All-Star break. Just reach 40 wins before the break please.
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