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Lakers steal Game 3, take 2-1 series lead
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It was only a matter of time until a Kobe dagger
won a game in this series. AP
As George Karl strode to the podium for his pre-game address to the media before Saturday night’s critical Game 3, there was a bounce to his step. Could it have been the music he was listening to all day?
“The White Album,” said Karl, when asked what was on his Ipod that afternoon. “Some crazy songs on that album.”
The game was no less bizarre. Another Nuggets-controlled game, another blown out of bounds pass stolen by Trevor Ariza – this time with Kenyon Martin in-bounding the ball – has Nuggets fans feeling Charles Manson-crazy right about now.
“It was pretty much the same thing with different players involved,” said Ariza matter-of-factly after the game. Maybe that whole Zen thing actually works.
The Lakers' 103-97 victory gives them homecourt advantage once again.
With an abrasive crowd determined to drown out all the Lakers fans in the building, and Rocky (not a Raccoon, but still) the mascot climbing on the roof of the building at one point, a frenzied game turned serious in the final minutes as the Black Mamba's venom sucked the life out of the the team and the crowd. As chants of "Kobe Sucks!" rained down from the rafters throughout the fourth quarter, Bryant looked tired, though he had plenty left to hit some HUGE shots. His Jordan-esque fadeaway and contested off-balance three with one minute left were two of the most impressive shots of his playoff career.
"It actually helped," Bryant said of the chants from the crowd. "I couldn't feel my legs."
Kobe's 41 points, including 15-17 from the line, outshined Carmelo Anthony (21 points -- 14 in the first quarter but only 7 the rest of the way including 3 in the fourth quarter), who was held in check by foul trouble (he fouled out after Ariza's steal), a quickly-rotating Lakers defense, and a Nuggets offense that died by the three.
"5-27," read the eulogy. J.R. Smith was 2-10 from downtown. J.R., you might want to drive on a team that can't cover you one on one.
"Somehow we hung in there," said Lakers coach Phil Jackson. "And it was mostly because of their three-point shooting."
Denver's explosive offense has kept opponents on their heels throughout these playoffs. But In the fourth quarter of Game 3, the Nuggets stopped moving the ball and started heaving. They finished the quarter with only 2 assists.
"I think emotionally it was a game that we weren’t playing very well offensively," said Karl. Citing one of the factors from my series preview, Karl noted, "We just didn’t play with enough teamness."
The Nuggets' bench played much better at home (Chris Andersen contributed 15 points, 7 rebounds and 3 blocks in 23 minutes and change). Never at a loss for words he invents, Karl continued "Our second unit’s spurtedness hit a pretty good place."
I hesitate to think what a game-ending out of bounds play might look like as this series plays out. Billups was also at a loss for words.
"You know," Chauncey began, when asked about Ariza's steal, "I don't know, man."
Game 3's heartbreaking loss could best be summed up by the tune left off the White Album (I know it sounds crazy, but yes, there were songs that didn't make the cut), a ragged folk singalong called "What's The New Mary Jane."
What a shame, what a shame, what a shame
Game 4: "We will be ready Monday," said Carmelo Anthony. They better be -- lose Game 4 and Denver's Finals hopes could fade faster than Ringo's solo career.
More About:
Denver Nuggets ·
Carmelo Anthony ·
NBA ·
George Karl ·
Chauncey Billups ·
Kobe Bryant ·
Playoffs ·
Los Angeles Lakers ·
Phil Jackson
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