This may have now been a fantastic playoff series, if the La Lakers had entered the postseason absolutely healthy. Alas, the injury bug eventually took a out of Kobe Bryant's interesting legs, depriving supporters of an enjoyable clash between the Black Mamba and Tim Duncan, two early nominees for the All-Century group. With the graying Lakers choice hobbled, the San Antonio Spurs have ruthlessly taken over the line. They won each of the first three activities by double digits and handed L.A. a shellacking in Game 3, the worst house playoff damage in the franchise's storied history. Phil Goudelock will start at shooting guard for L.A., and an MVP pedigree is brought by him. However, that was MVP of the D-League, and these would be the NBA playoffs.AThough the Lakers should come out fighting, they don't obviously have a puncher's chance in this one. Time:ASunday, April 28, 7 p.m. ET Where:AStaples Center, L. A., CA Line Record: 3-0 Spurs TV:ATNT Sport 4 Crucial Storyline: Value Activities is focused on personality and determination, but not many rational people would give the Lakers any chance of winning four straight games against San Antonio and pulling off a mad return. That sort of thing just doesn't occur in the NBA, no matter simply how much will and character a team has. L.A. isn't waving the white flag quite however, and their concentration is set on winning just one game. They will attempt to repeat it in Game 5, if that works on Sunday. But the Spurs are not prone to narcolepsy, and the Lakers won't catch them napping. Though the franchise circumstances and staff makeup are radically different, the Lakers find themselves in roughly exactly the same position as the Ny Knicks in last year's playoffs: down 0-3 to a vastly superior adversary. When this occurs, the modest target becomes only avoiding a sweep.AThe Knicks stole a game title contrary to the Miami Heat this past year, and confetti rained down on Madison Square Garden. While the Lakers are not as eager for a postseason victory as the deprived Knicks were this past year, ending the time by getting swept would leave a particularly acrid taste in the lips of players and fans. Line Star So Far Manu Ginobili's surprising creation served essential the Spurs' first two wins, but this respect demonstrably belongs to at least one of two people: Tim Duncan or Tony Parker. Without any disrespect to the 37-year-old Duncan, who has continued to perform at a really advanced, Parker's creation has been more important. The margin of victory in Game 3 was greater than that in the first two games combined, and his team was carryed by the Frenchman through both home games. He followed his 18 points, nine dimes and three steals in Game 1 withA28 points, seven assists and four panels in Game 2,Aposting team-highs in points and assists in both activities. By the full time the line headed to California, the Lakers were all but French toast thanks in large part to Parker.AThough the Frenchman has had the advantage of preserving a frontcourt, his unpleasant production has stayed MVP-caliber. Expected Beginning Lineups Spurs: Tony Parker, PG; Danny Green, SG; Kawhi Leonard, SF; Tim Duncan, PF;ADeJuanABlair, H Lakers: Darius Morris, PG;AAndrew Goudelock, SG; Earl Clark, SF; Pau Gasol, PF; Dwight Howard, H Spurs Injury Report (via CBSSports.com) Tiago Splitter (ankle), out; Boris Diaw (back), questionable Lakers Harm Record Kobe Bryant (Achilles), out; Steve Nash (hamstring), out;ASteve Blake (hamstring), out; Jodie Meeks (leg), out;AMettaAWorld Peace (leg), out Spurs May Gain If... The rebounding battle is won by them (or, actually, only provided that the team bus causes it to be to the arena). Rebounding was among the several benefits the Lakers had over the Spurs entering the series. Behind Howard's presence on the glass, the Lakers finished fourth in team rebounding while San Antonio rated 20th. Yet, despite fielding two seven-footers, L.A. has been out-rebounded in these playoffs (43.0 to 39.7 per game). With DeJuan Blair working to slot in for the wounded Tiago Splitter, the Spurs will soon be small at the center. Though Blair plays larger than his 6'7" size indicates, it'll be a hard game against Pau and Dwight, plus Earl Clark who figures to begin for MWP. Matt Bonner, aka the Red Mamba, may possibly also start at the 4 with Duncan dropping to the 5, but this could not assist the matchup issues down low. None the less, Timmy may find a method to neutralize all his team's drawbacks. He's exactly that good. Lakers Can Gain If... They have an extensive rebounding benefit, perform incredible protection and get surprised with rating from their no-name backcourt. Howard and Gasol could combine for 60 points and 50 rebounds, and the Lakers could have the ability to lose anyway. They are without the top four guards on their roster, plus their beginning swingman. AsABleacher Report columnistAKevinADing put it, L.A.'s choice on court for tipoff will soon be Pau Gasol and a quartet of folks who mightn't be wearing the pink and gold next year. Essentially the thing that the Lakers have going for them could be the will to avoid a brush in the home and salvage a degree of respect using this entirely damaged season.ASomehow, the Nevada favorite to represent the West is anxiously hoping for a upset to scratch out only a single playoff victory. Prediction Seeing the Lakers in this collection, I am reminded of a line from the Gospel of Matthew: The spirit is willing, however the flesh is weak. Thinking about the Lakers' numerous entries on the damage record, it's maybe not surprising they are looking down the barrel of a mop. Even Howard and Gasol are getting wounded, nursing neck and leg injuries which have affected them throughout every season. Missing the playoffs may have been a better method to end the growing season for the Lake Show, because it might have at the very least spared them the indignity of a postseason belly flop. Expect the Lakers in the future out quickly in this sport as they are backed right into a place. They will play with a scrappy hunger, but that won't preserve them contrary to the stout Spurs. As the halftime score could possibly be close, Gregg Popovich's staff will not mess around with a Game 5 and use their brooms on Sunday night. Prediction:ASpurs 105, Lakers 86
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