Y E S T E R D A Y…
Lakers 89, Spurs 85: This was the kind of game championship teams find a way to win. Down by 20 with only five and a half minutes left in the third, the Purple and Gold went on a 20-8 run and held the defending champs to only 13 fourth-quarter points. Key to the game: Sasha held Manu Ginobili in check with stifling, tenacious D (like the band, minus Jack Black) that limited the Argentine to 3 of 13 shooting. It certainly helped that Mr. MVP played like one — after only three first half FG attempts, the Black Mamba bit the Spurs in the second half with 25 venomous points, none deadlier than his 9-footer in the paint which proved to be the game-winner.
Dodgers 5, Reds 2: Though the Dodgers’ win column will have increased by one in today’s paper, they didn’t truly win this game; the Reds lost it. The Boys in Blue scored three of their five runs on Cincy blunders (a wild pitch, a passed ball, an errant pickoff throw). Whether the Reds’ D is less sure-handed than Jack Cust in a game of hot potato or the BiB are just good at capitalizing, L.A. will take the series sweep just the same. Overshadowed by the offensive oddities was a sterling performance from Hiroki Kuroda, who pitched eight strong frames to earn his second victory.
Angels 4, Blue Jays 3: It’s not often you win a game with only three batters getting hits. But when two of the hits come from the bat of Vlad Guerrero, and those balls go over walls, you’re not in such bad shape. A tough loss indeed for the Jays’ Shaun Marcum, who boasts a studly 2.80 ERA, Guerrero Gongs included. Meanwhile, the anti-Marcum, Jon Garland, continues to amaze me with his Houdini-like ability to win despite giving up walks and baseknocks at a Zito-esque rate.
T O D A Y…
Angels at Blue Jays (4:05 pm, FSN West): Mr. Consistent faces Mr. Inconsistent as Joe Saunders takes on A.J. Burnett in the series finale. Saunders eats innings like they’re sunflower seeds, and is a virtual lock for a quality start every time he takes the hill. He doesn’t have overpowering stuff however, and gets by on more grit than gas. Burnett, conversely, is equally likely to produce shellacking or a gem every fifth day. We’ll see which A.J. shows up today as the Halos try to complete the four-game sweep.
N E W S W O R T H Y…
- Big Boy Bynum had arthroscopic knee surgery in New York on Wednesday, but is expected to be at full strength for next year’s training camp.
- The Bruin ballers are desperate for size, which is why Texas hoopster J’Mison Morgan’s change of heart has caused Howland’s heart to skip a beat. The 6-foot-9, 260-pounder originally committed to LSU, but said two weeks ago he’s headed to Westwood.
- Ducks GM Brian Burke told Selanne and Niedermayer they won’t be pulling another Brett Favre next season.
- The Halos’ infield injury woes continue — just as Figgins comes off the DL, Aybar takes his spot with a dislocated finger that will sideline him for a month.
C O L U M N S…
- It may have just been one game, one loss in a series that requires three more to be decided, but Game One felt like one helluva lot more than just a series lead, says the Times’ Bill Plaschke. If you watched the game, Laker fan or not, you have to agree. Overcoming a 20-point deficit against the defending champs is no easy task, and to accomplish such a feat does wonders for this young team’s confidence. The OC Register’s Mark Whicker agrees as well — this one burns for the Spurs and is a huge momentum boost for the P&G, and the ramifications of this game will resonate throughout the series, without a doubt.
- Though #24 didn’t necessarily have his ‘A’ game, Kobe’s double-personality got the job done again, says the Press Enterprise’s Gregg Patton. The Kobester played the first two quarters, content to distribute left and right and take a mere three heaves at the hoop. But out from the halftime tunnel, the Mamba emerged, took over, and scored 25 points that led his team to victory.
- Though Steve McQueen wasn’t present at Staples on Wednesday night, there indeed was a Great Escape… just ask Steve Dilbeck.
Discuss:
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KOBE got away with …
* A clear travel, in the 3rd Q, on his classic ‘Shot Fake, Step Thru, Off-the-glass’ vs Bowen
* A clear offensive foul, on his game winner vs Bowen … creating space/leading/pushing off with his left shoulder/upper arm prior to sinking the Mid-Lane Jumper that sealed the deal (ala MJ vs Russell-B/Utah)
and the Game Officials clearly missed a crucial foul call on Pau Gasol vs Tim Duncan, at the 1:04 mark of the 4th Q … when it SHOULD have been Spurs ball out-of-bounds under their own defensive basket … as Bob Delaney could not see the play properly because he was OUT OF POSITION as the Trail Official, who failed to rotate up and assume the Center Official’s position on that side of the Floor. Danny Crawford, the Lead Official Official on the baseline for that play was blocked out.
The Lakers will NEED to play better on Friday to go up 2-0 in this series.