(1) Lakers Vs. (3) Suns

[Andrew]

Nice fast paced game. A lot more fun to watch than the ECF.

Both have been too lopsided for my liking.

Andrew, did you just see Shannon Brown try to Vince Carter Jason RIchardson???

Where was that in the dunk contest?

Wow.

Yeah that would've been awesome. Not the kind of thing you can break out in the dunk contest though since there's no defense and jumping over a teammate wouldn't have had quite the same effect, but it definitely would've been spectacular.

[benji]

Suns might want to consider some defense.

[Andrew]

That just might be crazy enough to work.

[Fresh8]

Lakers won't shoot this well every game but this Game 1 win has got to do a lot for the team's confidence! Very encouraging!

[Andrew]

Somehow, I don't think confidence is a problem for the Lakers.

Nevertheless, I'm hoping the Suns take Game 2 and make it a series.

[Rip32]

I know shooters are supposed to keep shooting when slumping... but maybe Channing Frye should cut the shooting out when his jumper isn't falling. He was chucking hard in that first half

I turned this game off at half and it was a game; I came back and I saw DJ M'Benga taking 17 footers. The Playoffs, Where Amazing Happens.

[Fresh8]

The bench played great tonight. They have been weak for the most part of the season but led by Lamar (19 and 19) and Farmar/Brown putting in valuable contributions, the bench really did well. Throw in Kobe and Pau and the Suns were not going to win this one. Hopefully they keep up their play (especially Lamar)... will be interesting to see what adjustments Phoenix will make in Game 2. Lakers shot the ball great from behind the arc so will see if they can keep it up if Suns are giving them more looks from behind the arc with a zone.

[NovU]

Didn't watch the game.

Gonna watch the replay from the Raptors TV... seems like it was a fast paced game.

[Lean]

Well that was a... one-sided result for Game 1.

[Jeffx]

Hopefully they keep up their play (especially Lamar)...

For years, we've complained about Lamar Odom not putting it together and realizing his potential. Finally he's playing like he should.

If LA wins Game 2, series is over in five.

[Jackal]

Lamar Odom finally showed up to play in the playoffs, about damn time.

The Lakers defended the Suns' pick & roll surprisingly well, I was shocked at how well they defended it after being burned time & time again with the same thing against Denver. Fisher playing well during the playoffs also brings a smile to my face, the bricks he was throwing up during the regular season had me worried there for a bit.

[IcemanOutlaw]

are we expecting a sweep on this?

[bee-boy]

If Kobe keeps playing the way he is know then i see no one stopping LA

[Jackal]

Not really. His shots were falling, that's it. These are the same shots that on a bad day wont fall and have Laker fans pulling out their hair.

He's got the lift in his legs, as soon as that sort of fades I expect him to miss a few of the shots that went in game one. It's one game, don't expect a sweep based on one game. Give them a chance to regroup and restrategize. They didnt come this far based on luck.

And how can Kobe be the GOAT when he's not even the most important player on the Lakers?

[Andrew]

are we expecting a sweep on this?

I'd agree with Jeffx, if the Lakers take Game 2 then it's over in five. If they get the split, I think the Lakers will still ultimately win but in my original prediction of six games.

[Andrew]

Awful sequence by the Suns there, the bad pass by Frye and then giving up the rebound to a trailing Odom.

[Andrew]

Seems we're headed for another lopsided game.

[Andrew]

Halftime score isn't too bad for the Suns, still in the game but I can see the Lakers pulling away again in the third.

[Axel The Great]

PHOENIX IS WINNING RIGHT NOW!!! I only saw the score online for about five seconds by googling nba. It sucks, I can't even watch the only game I actually felt like watching all week, because my STUPID cable just doesn't work!!

Hey, I'm not spamming but this is a website where I watch games http://atdhe.net/

[Andrew]

This is more like it, a fourth quarter worth watching.

[Andrew]

Or maybe I spoke too soon. Between the sloppy passes and hoisting up bad shots, the Suns are giving away the game. Not to take anything away from the Lakers, but the Suns are choking.

[Rip32]

Phoenix just seems to stop playing defense when the going gets tough in these kinds of series.

[IcemanOutlaw]

lot of turnovers in 4th by phx

[Lamrock]

The worst post-season in recent memory continues with another one-sided series in favor of a perennial contender. Bring on the lockout.

[Andrew]

The Suns are obviously outmatched by LA's size, I'm amazed to see that the Lakers only beat them 12-9 on offensive rebounds and 39-34 overall because Gasol and Odom were all over the offensive glass. However, despite that disadvantage the Suns had a chance right up until about five minutes gone by in the fourth, then the turnovers and bad shots started killing them. As good as the Lakers were, the Suns blew it.

If I'm Alvin Gentry, I'm not moving away from that small lineup completely and I'm giving Dudley big minutes, though if he's healthy enough Lopez needs more than 17 minutes. I'd also use Frye sparingly, especially if he doesn't find his shooting touch back in Phoenix. I know you've got to give him a chance but right now he's either too hesitant to shoot when he's open or firing up awful contested shots as soon as he touches the ball and they don't need that. Either give Lopez more time or go with Dudley and the small lineup with Amar'e in the middle.

The worst post-season in recent memory continues with another one-sided series in favor of a perennial contender. Bring on the lockout.

Can't say I relish the idea of a lockout, but I'm inclined to agree that it's been a subpar postseason with the most exciting and competitive games/series coming in the first round.