Image via WikipediaGiven the opponent, there was little doubt the Lakers (45-19) needed this one. They had lost twice already this season to the Spurs, who were not only ahead of them in the standings but were beginning to recapture a bit of swagger in the series.
The Lakers earned the win with physicality — at one point, after blocking a George Hill attempt, Ron Artest literally flexed his muscles for the sold-out crowd — and with intimidation.
Popovich’s explanation for his unwavering belief in the Lakers is this: “Phil Jackson is still their coach. Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol still play for them.”
To that list, add Bynum, the Lakers’ oft-injured wunderkind 7-footer. Sunday, Tim Duncan called him “the difference in the game.”
When Bynum wasn’t cleaning the glass, with eight rebounds in the first quarter, he was helping harass Duncan into two points on 1-of-7 shooting.
“They hit us in the mouth from the beginning,” said Spurs guard Gary Neal, who had a team-high 15 points. “By the time we realized it, it was the ninth round, and we were down on the scorecard.”
http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2011/03/06/lakers-reverse-spurs%E2%80%99-fortunes/
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