Kobe Bryant will get one last chance to claim bragging rights over his old playoff nemesis when the San Antonio Spurs (45-9) travel to Staples Center to face his Los Angeles Lakers (11-44). Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 2:30pm (AEDT).
For the past two decades the Lakers and Spurs have thrilled basketball fans with their heated match-ups in the post-season. Each team has claimed five championships in that time and cemented Bryant and Spurs big man Tim Duncan as all-time greats.
Unfortunately for the retiring Bryant however, Duncan finds himself competing for yet another ring this season while the Lakers languish in last place in the Western Conference.
While the Kobe farewell extravaganza dominates the Lakers season, their young talents D’Angelo Russell, Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr have struggled to convert their immense potential into wins.
Head coach Byron Scott has sacrificed their minutes to accommodate Bryant and other veterans such as Lou Williams and Roy Hibbert. However, he has suggested that this may not be the case over the second half of the season. The Spurs game is their first since the All-Star break and Lakers fans will be eager to see if Scott keeps his word.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, on the other hand, has had no such issues as he has seamlessly transitioned this season’s new acquisitions, LaMarcus Aldridge and David West, into the Spurs’ system.
It is this oft-heralded system that has the Spurs posting a +14.1 combined offensive/defensive rating. This ranks them first in the NBA, above even the rampaging Warriors. To get a sense of how this might affect this game, the Lakers rank dead-last in the league with -10.8, expect it to show on the night.
A large part of this terrible rating has been the Lakers porous defence, they also rank last league-wide in defensive rating. Hibbert was acquired in the off-season to help remedy their defensive woes and while he’s given his best on that end of the floor, his teammates have not stepped up to help him.
The Lakers regularly fail to ‘help the helper’, their rotations are slow and they demonstrate a general lack of intensity in stopping opponents scoring on them.
San Antonio’s quick ball movement and precise shooting will pick apart the Lakers’ defence unless they substantially improve their effort on that end. The Spurs are blessed with a big man unit that can spread the floor with perimeter shooting. No Spurs rotation player is truly restricted to one area and this will trouble the Lakers.
Unfortunately for Lakers fans the team hasn’t been much better on the offensive end this season. They rely far too heavily on isolation plays for their wings that more often than not end up in a rushed shot or a turnover. These scenarios may have suited a 27-year-old Bryant, when he was dropping 60 points on teams because he felt like it, but at 37 the Black Mamba can’t do what he once found so simple.
The Spurs (minus Kawhi Leonard) suffered a surprising 19-point loss yesterday to the LA Clippers, it is unclear yet if Leonard will take the floor against the Lakers. Without the suffocating defence of Leonard perhaps Bryant might find it easier to turn back the clock.
Two weeks ago the Spurs escaped an embarrassing loss to LA by only four points as Kobe dropped 16 on them in the third quarter alone. Could his last tilt at his long-time foes bring out his devastating best?
No matter Kobe’s output, the real highlight of this game will be seeing two future hall-of-famers, past rivals and good friends compete one last time. Tim Duncan and Kobe Bryant owe much of their respective careers to each other and their competitive drive is unlikely to diminish in their final encounter.
Duncan, however, has the much stronger supporting cast and expect them to deliver the win as they endeavour to deliver him his sixth ring.
Prediction: Spurs by 14
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 2:30pm (AEDT).
fiddlesticks
Guest
massive game, last placed team
Elliot Williams
Roar Guru
The Spurs - as always - just had too much balance through their roster for the Lakers to compete. They had six players in double figures and were led by Tony Parker with 25. Kobe led the way for the Lakers also with 25 but going 10-25 shooting to get there. He missed some bad shots towards the end when he thought the Lakers had a shot at catching the Spurs. It was great to see two of the best ever go at it one last time. Both showed us glimpses of what they could do when in their prime and while we might not see that all that often anymore it's nice to get these reminders. Kobe's 11 point third quarter included some classic moments - the turnaround jumpers, working his man down in the post with excellent footwork and the list goes on. Duncan's career has been highlighted by it's understatedness - he's not called the Big Fundamental for nothing. He just does everything well - his 11 points and 12 boards reminds us of that - as well as being solid defensively. The league will miss Bryant after this season and Duncan whenever he decides to call it quits. The Lakers picked up their rebounding in the second half to only trail 39-36 which is nice to see. They also limited second half turnovers to 3, but had 16 for the game which is just too many. They put together a solid second half but gave the Spurs too much early on which means the Spurs never really had to exert themselves down the stretch. A few less defensive lapses and maybe this becomes a bit of a different game. The six point margin however doesn't really so the Spurs justice they did seem comfortable throughout and I don't think they were ever really worried. As I alluded to earlier the Lakers need to get more fast break opportunities. The Spurs are an older team for the most part yet they continually beat the Lakers down the floor and led them by far in transition baskets. The Lakers aren't that skilled offensively (save for outburts Kobe sometimes has) they can't afford to continually attack half court defenses that have the time to set-up particularly ones as well drilled as the Spurs. They need to get as many easy looks as they possibly can. The Spurs on the other hand are never at a shortage of easy looks. You can't move quicker than the ball - and the Spurs proved this time and again tonight. Each player knows the system so well they know where they need to be at all times and more oftn than not they get to those spots - which gives guys opportunities to fling passes to teammates in open positions and behold the shot fall or the lane open up for a nice drive. They play basketball the way it's meant to be played and they reap the benefits for it. They continue on their 6 game road trip now going 1-1 over the first two games. The loss to the Clippers was odd but I dont think it will worry them much. The Lakers kept it closer than I anticipated but I think the spurs were very much in control of the game. Lakers next take on the Bulls in Chicago and the Spurs have the Suns in Phoenix. Keep checking The Roar for more games and coverage FINAL SCORE Lakers - 113 Spurs - 119
Elliot Williams
Roar Guru
Randle made a three from about 5 feet behind the line to bring the FINAL SCORE to Lakers - 113 Spurs - 119
Elliot Williams
Roar Guru
This brings 7'3" Boban Marjanovic into the game for the last 36 seconds - man has the most scarily large hands in the world!
Elliot Williams
Roar Guru
And Duncan and Kobe exit the game together - just how it should be after such great battles
Elliot Williams
Roar Guru
TD has a double-double 11 points 12 rebounds
Elliot Williams
Roar Guru
Of course it was Kobe - unfortunately an airball three Lakers - 107 Spurs - 114 Q4 0.52
Elliot Williams
Roar Guru
I wonder who might take the shot for the Lakers after the timeout? Hmmm
Elliot Williams
Roar Guru
Lakers have a complete defensive breakdown which gifts Patty Mills a wide open three - what do you think he does? Drains it of course bringing the lead back to seven - can't see the Lakers overturning that in a minute Lakers - 107 Spurs - 114 Q4 1.03
Elliot Williams
Roar Guru
Williams with a three - keeping it close - Spurs make a bucket and the Kobe comes right back with the jumper in the lane Lakers - 107 Spurs - 111 Q4 1.03
Elliot Williams
Roar Guru
And the second Lakers - 102 Spurs - 109 Q4 1.50
Elliot Williams
Roar Guru
LMA at the line for the Spurs makes the first Lakers - 102 Spurs - 108 Q4 1.56
Elliot Williams
Roar Guru
Kobe shoots a rushed (ugly) three and dislocates a finger - Lakers doctor Gary Vitti puts it back in place and he's back on the floor to finish the game - the man is the ultimate competitor - why let a little dislocated finger stop you playing?!
Elliot Williams
Roar Guru
Kobe makes all three Lakers - 102 Spurs - 107 Q4 2.41
Elliot Williams
Roar Guru
Bryant fouled on the three point attempt
Elliot Williams
Roar Guru
LMA gets an easy dunk out in transition after Kobe missed right at the hoop (albeit with a lot of tall guys in his way) Lakers Timeout Lakers - 107 Spurs - 99 Q4 3.00
Elliot Williams
Roar Guru
Randle comes in with a timely tip off a Kobe miss Lakers - 99 Spurs - 105 Q4 3.40
Elliot Williams
Roar Guru
Staples ERUPTS as Kobe makes yet another baseline J over Anderson Lakers - 97 Spurs - 103 Q4 4.09
Elliot Williams
Roar Guru
Haven't been this close since the second quarter
Elliot Williams
Roar Guru
Williams makes the shot and its only a six point game