Lakers vs. Denver Game 5

So it became a best of three series after Lakers lost Monday night to the Denver Nuggets up in Denver. And the Lakers responded well to game 5, playing as though it was an elimination game. Players stepped up, Lakers locked down their defense with 11 blocks. And after it was set and done, Lakers won 103-94 to take a 3-2 series lead. O ya, Lakers are 20-0 all time when playing game 5 at home after series is 2-2. This game was interesting as it was tied at the end of the first three quarters. 25-25, 56-56, 76-76 and then the Lakers pulled away. In the third quarter, when Lakers were down 71-64, they woke up and went on a 21-5 run to ice the game and put the game away.

Lamar Odom played like how he was supposed to. In 30+ minutes off the bech, L.O. had 19 pts 14 reb. He was aggressive once he checked into the game. He had this nice posterizing dunk over Birdman (picture on top). Odom seemed really happy and pumped up throughout game. He was smiling all game and that was a god sign for the Lakers.

Andrew Bynum started out great with 9 pts in 1st half but still looked pretty rusty. Sasha Vujacic barely played but nailed a nice three at end of 1st half on a pass from Kobe which tied the game up. Shannon Brown changed the pace of the game with that dunk on a pass from Pau Gasol. That inspired the LAkers to go on that third quarter run. Derek Fisher nailed down some shots in the first half and finished with 12 pts. Ariza also played great with 12 pts and good defense.

Kobe Bryant took only 13 shots, making 6. That is good. There is a statistic that Lakers have a higher winning percentage when Kobe takes under 20 shots. Today he did that. He played the facilitor role, dishing out 8 ast to go along with his 22 pts. Kobe played a perfect game. Got teammates involved early and that set the tone of the game. Pau Gasol again had a double double, this time with 14 pts 10 reb. I think this is his 9th straight double double. Pau can play like a point guard if he wasn't that tall.

Overall, this ballgame was a team effort. Everyone did their role, not only Kobe and Pau. The game was well officiated. It seemed as though the refs favored the Lakers on more calls. On some of those 11 blocks, Lakers players hit their hand but it was a good officiated game. This game betting line was Lakers by 6 and Lakers covered the point spread.

Game 6 will be tough. Denver's court, high altitude, refs, etc. It is on Friday at 6:00 PM. Watching SportsCenter on ESPN right now as I write, it is so cool. It is just like Lakers Live on FS West as the two anchors, Neil Evertt and Stan Vereet were doing the show live from L.A. Live with the Laker fans. I love it now with SportsCenter right across the street from Staples Center, the sports and entertainment capital of the world.

So 11 down, 5 wins to go for the destination.