Is it a matter of just intensifying the defensive effort tomorrow night like Kobe and Phil have hinted, or do they simply not have the ability to slow Phoenix down?
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Interesting that the total has gone from 219 to 217.5 with 94% of the public on the over. That might be worth monitoring, both for a totals play and side (if the number stays down, sharps will be expecting the Laker D to in fact step up and likely cover).Comment -
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Phil Jackson should go with a new strategy as far as Kobe's minutes. Find time for Kobe to rest for extended minutes in the 3rd quarter. Bring Kobe in at the end of the 3rd quarter so that he can establish offensive rhythm. Then let him play all of the 4th quarter. Because this strategy of resting him while he's in rhythm, then bringing him back in the beginning stages of the 4th quarter, is clearly not working for the Lakers. Kobe ends up exhausted and out of his offensive flow.Comment -
How much can you really attribute the problem to Kobe though? He's already shooting more than he should be to accommodate the lack of production from his teammates. Gasol is also making a solid effort but due to the overall low production from other players, he's getting smothered.Comment -
It's not Kobe's problem. He's the Lakers only answer right now. I heard one of the TNT commentators saying that a good approach to defeating Phoenix's zone may be to play Sasha V. I agree with this. Because right now, Kobe is not getting enough help from the perimeter.Comment -
100% agree with this statement, however Vujacic is a band-aid solution at best, unproven in the playoffs so far this season and bound to be out of rhythm.
Seems to me that not enough credit is being given to the Suns defenders here. Lopez and Stoudemire are controlling the paint and the glass, allowing the other players greater flexibility to contest shots from outside. However, this is only happening because the Laker big men aren't performing well in the paint, particularly Bynum.
You have to attack Zone D from the inside, so it's going to take a stronger performance by the Laker bigs before the perimeter shots start falling consistently.Comment -
I have limited points after cashing some out and then getting raped by the Magic in Gm 3... so no.
But, yes. Through the first four games, the Suns have adapted their gameplay to address the Laker strengths, whereas the Lakers have not yet made the adjustments that they need to make to win. The Lakers might have had a better initial plan but the Suns have caught up. Maybe Phil's got a secret plan that he waited until Game 5 to reveal.
I just know when I see the Lakers fail to make quick adjustments to opponents, something is up. Game 4 was an exercise in frustration for them while the Suns were building confidence with every defensive stop and every 3 they knocked down.
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Lakers are not stopping the Suns bench from putting up numbers, Kobe needs to start dancing.Comment -
Alright, we'll see what happens in the Laker win tomorrow. I'm not sure if they'll make all the adjustments on their to-do list, so it'll be interesting to see which they accomplish, if any, in their Gm 5 victory.I have limited points after cashing some out and then getting raped by the Magic in Gm 3... so no. But, yes. Through the first four games, the Suns have adapted their gameplay to address the Laker strengths, whereas the Lakers have not yet made the adjustments that they need to make to win. The Lakers might have had a better initial plan but the Suns have caught up. Maybe Phil's got a secret plan that he waited until Game 5 to reveal. I just know when I see the Lakers fail to make quick adjustments to opponents, something is up. Game 4 was an exercise in frustration for them while the Suns were building confidence with every defensive stop and every 3 they knocked down.Comment -
Lamar Odom over anything (prop)
Cause Sleep is the Cousin of DeathComment -
If you go by the line movement so far, I still say the Lakers and the under are expected to be the play. Under especially. 80% still on the over, yet the under has gone from 219 at open to 217. We'll see where it goes late.Comment -
I think the Lakers tighten up on the defense tonight and the under wins it. It's about time some defense is played in this series (just like it was about time that the Magic and Celtics went over yesterday).Comment -
Lakers will d up tonight and hold phoenix under 110Comment -
lakers 115 + Suns 106+ = over book it thank me laterComment -
personally i think it has a lot to do with the fact La scored at will the 1st two games, gave them reason to be lazy as they expected to continue outscoring the suns, i do believe they are capable of playing better defense and think you will see this tonight....1st game of the series i will not be playing the over (not counting under 1st half of game 1, learned my lessen fast)..did buy 1.5 when it was 7.5 so Lake Show -6 for meComment -
I like the under in this game as well They will not shoot it like they did in game 4Comment -
Lakers roll in a blowout!Comment -
Under today but can't really decide who will win.Comment -
taking the under, good luckComment -
Guys, take this under.
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Hey Coin who ya on,, so I know not to wrongfully bitch at you after the game??
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If under is the play, then the lakers will be the play as well, IMO. Would it be smart to tease lakers with under, or how about parlay lakers ML with under?? Any thoughts??Comment -
I think the Lakers will score 110+ tonight NCCause Sleep is the Cousin of DeathComment -
I feel like if this game goes Under, it will be on the strength of the second half, not the first. Three of four (and both games in LA) have eclipsed a 60 point 1Q. I would think that 217 is not the best line you'll see tonight for the Under.
However I don't like the Under at all.Comment
