MAGIC -at- LAKERS - 3-23-14 - Thoughts and :-)) Ratings

[DancingBarry]

Battle in the Basement… Looking at the schedule, this game would be hard for the Lakers to lose. The Magic have been free falling with steady speed and have won just 4 games on the road this season.

The Lakers rested Nash, lost Xavier and had Pau leave the game at halftime. Not even the injuries could stand in their way tonight. The Lakers held their opponent to below 100, the first time in a month and came away with the 103-94 win.

Back in the mix and picking up steam, Jordan Hill led the Lakers with 28 points and 13 boards, and Nick Young led the bench with 26.

It was a career night for Hill scoring wise. He worked the paint for jumphooks and worked the glass for fouls and points at the line. The Magic had no answer for his effort.

In the end, the Magic’s 9-game losing streak trumped the Lakers 4-game streak.


Gasol -- -- He didn’t come out in the second half, not feeling well (dizziness and nausea). Stu joked that Pau looked at the standings. Tankerville saw some open daylight for a possible key loss against a cellar dweller. But the Magic really suck badly. They do not win on the road. Period. Prior to that, the Lakers got a little bit more of a playmaking role with Pau trying to find Hill on some high-low sequences. Putting Pau into playmaking positions has been something the team has regressed on since D’Antoni arrived. Brown eventually figured it out and started relying more heavily on Pau to set the table. The Stats: He scored 6 points on 3-7 shooting to go with 2 boards, 3 assists, 1 block, 3 turnovers and 1 foul in 19 minutes. He was a +14. The Action: He swished a face-up wing jumper on his first attempt. He banked a jumphook off a quick post up. He missed an elbow jumper. He threw a lob away. He missed a jumper from the top of the key. He sank an elbow jumper off the kickout from Wes. He spotted Hill under the hoop with a bounce pass for the And-1 layup. He blocked a drive at the rim. He missed a baseline turnaround. He threw a kickout out of bounds. He was stripped after high dribbling in the post. He missed an elbow jumper.

Marshall -- -- Kendall was trying to set up fans in the first few rows tonight with some of his passes. They weren’t close to players, just right out of bounds (three of them in the third quarter). Not sure what was going on there. He was just off his game, passing-wise. That resulted in D’Antoni running a little more minutes for Bazemore at the point. He gave Bazemore the close on the final couple minutes. The Stats: He had 4 points on 2-7 shooting (0-2 from three) to go with 2 boards, 3 assists, 2 steals, 5 turnovers and 1 foul in 29 minutes. He was a +9. The Action: He missed a 21-footer from the wing. He missed a deep three. His outlet was picked off. He sank a floater probing the lane (more please). He missed a wing three. He had just 2 assists in the half. Second Half: He probed from the wing and hit the short pull-up, very nice. He threw a kickout out of bounds, yikes. Nice pressure D on the sideline and he forced his man into a turnover. He missed a long sideline jumper. He took some contact and threw another kickout out of bounds, ouch. Wow, he threw another kickout out of bounds. He blindsided a man in transition to steal a dribble (then nearly threw another one away). Not close on a floater off the glass.

Meeks -- -- Very quiet offensive night from Meeks, but he was active on D, leading the team in steals with a career-high 6. He plays like you wish the team would, a consistent, strong effort defensively every night and usually playing to his strengths offensively. If the shot isn’t there, you know the effort always is. The Stats: He scored 13 points on 4-11 shooting (2-5 from three, 3-4 from the line) to go with 2 assists, 6 steals and 2 fouls in 40 minutes. He was a +11. The Action: He sank a wing three on his first attempt. He swiped a pass and was fouled on the other end. He missed a runner in transition. He sank a three around a screen in early offense. He ball watched and gave up a layup when his man backdoored him. He missed a wing three on the other end. He missed a wing three. Second Half: He missed a baseline floater. He swished a floater curling off the screen to take the pass. He missed a step-back 18-footer. He missed a wide open wing three. He deflected a pass in transition. He missed a drive out of that scramble. He swiped the ball out of a timeout and drew FTs on the layup, he made both. Intentionally fouled for more FTs trying to run the clock out, he made one.

Hill -- -- Excellent scoring night Hill, going for career numbers. He’s looked strong in his last two after getting some time off. When his tank is running on full and he goes into beast mode, he’s a superb garbage man. However, the Lakers seemed to feature him just a little more early on, looking for some low post duck-ins while Pau was out high. That was more than just garbage man scoring. Down the stretch, he helped ice things drawing FTs on the offensive glass after Laker misses. It’s almost like its own play and just sucks the life from an opponent. It will be a bummer if the Lakers lose him this offseason without any assets in return. That kind of play fits well with your more ball-dominant superstars. “When he has his energy, he’s pretty good,” D’Antoni said. The Stats: He scored 28 points on 9-15 shooting (10-13 from the line) to go with 13 boards (4 offensive), 1 block and 1 foul in 33 minutes. He was a +17. The Action: He hit a jumphook on the Lakers first possession. He missed an open wing jumper. He attacked baseline, stopped, spun back and hit the jumphook. He hit another jumphook in the post. He blocked a drive off a Magic guard. He missed a putback attempt. He missed a fade in the middle of the lane. Pau found him for the And-1 layup, he made the FT. He took the interior feed from Pau, head faked and scored the And-1 layup, he missed the FT. He missed a short jumphook. He sank a baseline one-hander. He drew FTs on the offensive glass, he made one. He had 14 points on 6-9 shooting in the first half. Second Half: He missed an elbow jumper. He pulled down a board in a crowd and powered up the score. He was blocked on a jumper. He faced up, made a quick first step along the baseline and powered in an And-1 layup, he made the FT. He dunked off the sweet drive and dish set up from Bazemore. He faced up, spun around defenders and drew FTs, he made one. He up-faked his man on a 20-footer, attacked past him and drew FTs, he made both. He attacked with the shotclock low and chucked up a prayer and missed. He drew a foul on another offensive board, he made both FTs. Another Laker miss, another offensive board and FTs, he made both.

Johnson -- -- With Nick back, Wes’s minutes will be limited. He had one of the highlight plays of the night with the lob dunk from Bazemore in transition. Too many turnovers for his limited time and ball handling. The Stats: He scored 7 points on 2-7 shooting (1-3 from three, 2-2 from the line) to go with 2 boards, 2 assists, 1 block, 3 turnovers and 1 foul in 21 minutes. He was a +3. The Action: He attacked and threw a pass way. He missed a corner three next time down. He sank a pull-up wing three. He missed a sideline three. He missed a pull-up sideline jumper. He missed a foot-on-the-three-line attempt. He filled the lane with speed and Bazemore found him for the lob dunk. He attacked and hit hill for the short one. He was fouled on a long jumper up against the shotclock (dumb foul), he made both. Second Half: He tried creating off the dribble and didn’t hit rim.

Bazemore -- -- “He played one of his best games,” D’Antoni said, mentioning if he can get steady offensive output from him, his D is strong. A lot of time at the PG tonight with Farmar out and Nash taking the night off. Easily our best playmaker out there, leading the team with 8 assists and no turnover. Some very nice drives and dump offs to bigs for easy score. Very controlled throughout the night offensively. I liked the midrange pull-ups off the two-man game late. Defensively, he showed excellent hands throughout the night. He was knocking dribbles free and generally being disruptive. A lot of them didn’t go for steals/turnovers, but gave the Lakers some proactive on the ball D that we don’t have enough of. The Stats: He scored 8 points on 4-7 shooting (0-1 from three) to go with 2 boards, 8 assists, 1 steal and 4 fouls in 24 minutes. He had a +/- of 0. The Action: He attacked with speed from the three line and quickly scored a layup. Great steal on one end, but he threw the pass behind Meeks on the break, Lakers still recovered. He attacked and was blocked out of bounds, should have used his other hand. His man reached, he attacked and flipped in the layup. Nice hands deflecting the dribble away from his man twice on one defensive stand. Nice D on one end to force a miss, he then pushed it out and lobbed to Wes for the dunk. He picked up a cheap foul call, looked like a good defensive play on a challenge with 0.2 left. Second Half: He attacked the lane with speed, drew the D and whipped it to Hill for the uncontested slam. He attacked and dumped it off to Sacre for the And-1. He swished a pull-up wing jumper off the two-man game. He deflected another dribble out of bounds. He sank another pull-up wing jumper working off the screen. Great perimeter D scrambling around three players on one stand and the Lakers got a shotclock violation. He missed a wing three on the other end. He attacked and missed a drive.

Kelly -- -- Defensively, he gave up a couple of easy ones on iso tonight. He’s usually been stronger than that. Once he gets stronger he’ll be able to provide a little more resistance. He did do a good job drawing a charge on the break to erase a hoop. Offensively, he was efficient with his scoring, hitting on a variety of shots (three, midrange, floater…) I like seeing Kelly and Bazemore on the floor together defensively, they rotate and hustle well. The Stats: He scored 9 points on 4-5 shooting (1-1 from three) to go with 4 boards, 1 assist and 1 foul in 22 minutes. He was a -6. The Action: He sank a wing three on his first attempt. He scooped up a loose ball and missed the wing jumper. He gave up an easy layup to his man. He up-faked, attacked off the three line and hit a tough floater. Second Half: He hit the quick turnaround jumper from the wing working the two-man game with Nick, very nice. Looked like he traveled on the break, but got a lucky goaltend call on a bricked layup attempt (wasn’t close to the rim). He drew a charge getting back in transition to prevent a layup. He got overpowered in the post for a layup.

Young -- -- Nick had the dagger three that buried the Magic in crunch time. They were hanging in close enough to steal the game until he rose up and drilled the deep three against the shotclock. He had his fifth 4-point play of the season tonight (and was fouled on another three attempt later). Guys just can’t help running into his legs while trying to challenge him when he launches from three. Solid D tonight. He’s playing hard out there. He loves being a Laker and Laker fans respond to him. “Being in that purple and gold…it’s history here. Some people don’t understand that but me being from L.A., I witness the parades and everything, so I know what it feels like,” Nick said. The Stats: He scored 26 points on 8-17 shooting (2-4 from three, 8-9 from the line) to go with 3 boards, 1 assist, 1 turnover and 3 fouls in 31 minutes. He was a +4. The Action: He sank an And-1 wing three on his first attempt (that play should be named after him), he sank the FT. He missed a pull-up wing jumper. He pushed the ball up court with speed and hit the jumper from the top of the key with a second left in the quarter. He missed a forced one-hander in the lane against a trio of defenders. He up-faked, took a dribble on the baseline and scored the And-1 layup, he made the FT. He missed a fading chuck from 16 feet out. He pushed it out with speed, pumpfaked and hit the elbow jumper. He scored 11 points on 4-7 shooting. Second Half: He attacked the lane and scored a layup on his first touch of the half. He hit the side of the backboard trying to take an inbounds pass and chuck before the shotclock expired. He traveled trying to stop along the baseline after a drive. He attacked the paint and swished the fade. He attacked the lane and hit the short jumper over a couple defenders. He missed a step-back chuck from the corner, not a good look. He drew another foul on a three, he made two of the FTs. He blocked a man on iso D on one end, then drew FTs on the other. He airballed a corner three. He wheeled around on the dribble and drained a huge three with the shotclock low and 3 minutes left (probably the dagger). He missed a long pull-up jumper after running clock down. He was intentionally fouled and made both FTs.

Sacre -- -- He got the start in the second half for Pau. D’Antoni mentioned that if Pau couldn’t go in the next one that Kaman might be the guy to get the start. No Nash on the floor to put the ball in his lap for easy ones offensively. Solid defensive from Sacre. It’s been a month since the Lakers have kept anyone under the 100 mark. The Lakers got fans tacos for just the eighth time this season. Yes, the Magic suck. The Stats: He scored 2 points on 1-4 shooting (0-1 from the line) to go with 6 boards, 1 block, 2 turnovers and 2 fouls in 23 minutes. He was a -7. The Action: He missed an open 18-footer. He missed an open baseline jumper. Second Half: He and Hill double-team blocked a big twice on one defensive stand. He scored an And-1 off the Bazemore drive and dish, he missed the FT. He missed a turnaround in the paint.

D’Antoni -- -- The Magic had 6 turnovers in just over 3 minutes… The Lakers led 16-6 when the first timeout came… He subbed in Young for Meeks as his first move… He sat Hill for Kelly up by 6… The Magic trimmed it to three before the Lakers pushed back to 8, forcing at timeout… Out of that, he sat Pau, Marshall and Wes for Sacre, Bazemore and Meeks. Bazemore at PG… The Lakers led 29-24 after the first quarter… He started the Sacre, Kelly, Young, Meeks, Bazemore lineup again… The Lakers quickly trail by 1 a minute and a half later and D’Antoni called a timeout… He brought in Hill for Sacre out of that… He brought back in Pau for Kelly up 4… The Lakers extended to a 12-point lead getting some D and guard scoring… He sat Swaggy for Wes and Meeks for Marshall out of that timeout… Up 12, he sat Bazemore for Meeks with 4 minutes left… Poor close to the half by the Lakers (8-0 Magic run)… The Lakers led 55-48 at the half. The Lakers shot 48% (22-46, 5-11 3PT, 6-8 FT). The Magic shot 48.7% (19-39, 2-8 3PT, 8-8 FT). The Magic finished with 10 turnovers and getting those 6 right out of the gates… He started Sacre for Pau, who was still in the locker room… Up 7 after 5 minutes, he sat Johnson for Young… He sat Sacre for Kelly up 8… He brought in Bazemore… Another poor close to the quarter by the Lakers and the Magic trimmed the lead down… The Lakers led 75-73 heading into the fourth… He started a Sacre, Kelly, Young, Meeks, Bazemore lineup… Up 6, he sat Bazemore for Marshall and Hill for Sacre… Up 6 still, he brought back Sacre for Kelly. Kaman obviously deep in the doghouse (at this point in the season, it’s for the best)… Bazemore back in to close at PG… Lakers killing the Magic on the offensive glass down the stretch. That buried the Magic for good…

[SweetP]

Can't lose them all.

J hill had a great game. And Swaggy P.
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“There is always light if only we're brave enough to see it, if only we're brave enough to be it.” --Amanda Gorman

[Lakersneuron]

Thanks DB!
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"I don’t give a [expletive] what you say. If I go out there and miss game winners, and people say, 'Kobe choked, or Kobe is seven for whatever in pressure situations.' Well, [expletive] you. Because I don’t play for your [expletive] approval."

[mhan00]

Pau trying to help the tank, I imagine. He might shut it down for the rest of the year. He put up some decent stats to end the season and might grab some decent offers already, so nothing to play for.

Good thing the Magic couldn't hit wide open threes tonight, or this might have been a clear loss.

[lakersgirl]

[Wino]

I wish we would just lose them all. Much rather have another ball in the drawing than another win in this losing season.
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Never argue with stupid people! They will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience!! - Twain

[OregonLakerGuy]

Thanks DB

[Chronicle]

Need to sit meeks and young
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Kobe

[Vin]

[foshowtime]

[yinoma2001]

Lot of our perimeter players are recently close to 1 PPP. Lots of shots, but I guess that's what MDA wants.
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From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals

[Axshun]

It was hard watching Kendall Marshall play. He's so passive and didnt know how to direct the offense. I dont know if that can be attributed to the system. But, he's been there the whole year and as a point guard, you have to be able to control the flow of the offense. Especially in a MDA schemed offense. Get rid of this guy.