The Quest For 15 Continues...

And it's back to the Finals for the 30th time in franchise history.

The Lakers completely dominated this game in every aspect, and used another solid balance scoring attack, coming away with a 119-92 blasting of the Nuggets. Kobe topped off his Game Five performance with an even better one in Game Six, pouring in 35 points, while shooting 60% from the floor, making all nine of his free throws, and most importantly, dishing out 10 assists. The Lakers got solid contributions from Paul Gasol, Lamar Odom, Trevor Ariza and Luke Walton. All four scored in double figures, with Gasol and Odom scoring 20 and Ariza 17. Gasol and Odom also combined for 20 rebounds. Walton hit a couple of big baskets along the way for 10 solid points.

Game One of the Finals is June 4th. If Orlando wins the East Finals, they'll open in L.A. If the Cavs win, the Lakers will travel to Cleveland for Game One.

The Lakers dominated this game inside and outside, playing aggressive basketball, smothering defense, and penetrating and breaking down the Nuggets defense. In the process, they shot 57% from the floor and made all 24 of their free throws. They came with a purpose, the executed their game plan, played with a sense of urgency, and they conquered. This was, arguably, the Lakers best performance of the season, and most certainly, of the playoffs.

Carmelo Anthony scored 25 for Denver, and J.R. Smith added 24. Chauncey Billips took just seven shots in the game again, five before halftime, and finished with 10 very quiet points. Denver shot just 43% from the field while missing 11 of 19 from behind the three-point line.

The Nuggets gave the Lakers a series in the first four and a half games, but the Lakers took control of the series mid-way through the third quarter of Game Five and never really looked back. They exposed the Nuggets weaknesses, and tonight, they nailed Denver's coffin shut.

Goodnight, "Birdman."

A Mile High Embarassment

Well, that was fun, wasn't it?! Last night's game has to rank as one of the worst performances I have ever seen from a Laker team in the playoffs. They were out-played, out-hustled, out-rebounded, out-coached in every aspect of the game. Sure, Kobe did his thing with 34 points despite showing signs of fatigued carried over from the end of Game Three. Pau added 21 and 10, and Bynum chipped in another 14. But they displayed no sense of urgency last night, and played the game as if it were another regular season game in November instead of a key playoff game in a seven-game series. And while the Nuggets went to the free line 49 times to the Lakers 35, the Lakers have no one to blame but themselves for that, as well. They just weren't aggressive enough. And it showed, even on the offensive glass where they were badly out-rebounded 20-9 (58-40 overall). The bench added no support, either. Jordan Farmar led all Laker reserves with just 10 points.

Once again, Chauncey Billups was a thorn in the Lakers side, pouring in 24 points. Nuggets reserve J.R. Smith, who's been cocky and arrogant all series, displaying unsportsmanlike gestures throughout, also added 24. Five other Nuggets scored in double-figures for Denver, who won 120-101.

And, for whatever reason, Kobe was on the bench for a good part of the 4th quarter, again, which seemed to be a hot topic on numerous post-game shows last night on both radio and television. Many people suggested that Phil Jackson was throwing in the towel for this game much too early by sitting Kobe when he did.

Pau Gasol questioned the way the offense lacked the involvement of the 'big men' more, as well. And while I understand his frustrations and being the spokesperson for the 'big men', I personally am still not convinced that Andrew Bynum is altogether with it defensively. His inability to dominate the boards as a seven-footer has not warranted the playing time he commands, thus, making his availability to be an intregal part of the offense limited.

Of lesser concern, both Trevor Ariza and Lamar Odom, are both recovering from minor injuries. It is believed that their injuries limited their effectiveness last night. Neither are expected to lose any significant playing time, and both hope to be more effective in Game Five tomorrow night at Staples.

Also, Andrew Bynum was assessed with a flagrant foul last night after making a hard foul on Nuggets forward Chris "Birdman" Anderson. Bynum brought both of his arms down hard on Anderson late in the game while Anderson was driving to the basket. When the play occurred, and ended, Anderson's headband was down over his eyes. However, replays showed that Bynum made every effort to hit the ball when this arms came down on Anderson, that there was no intent to injure Anderson, and the league today rescinded the flagrant foul on Bynum after further review.

Likely still under review, however, is the tripping of Kobe in third quarter by Dahntay Jones. Unintentional or not, Phil called it unsportsmanlike; Kobe said it was good defense and added, sarcastically, that he was a "klutz."

Having said all that, with the series dead even at two games apiece, the Lakers did what they set out to do when they arrived in Denver: they regained home court advantage, and have two chances at home versus one for Denver, so the odds are still in their favor. Hopefully they'll take advantage of it.