Perimeter match-ups for Round 2

[mjba]

Ron will guard KD. And we have seen Kobe do well defending Westbrook - was great on Lawson tonight, even though he was clearly gassed.

So what does this mean for James Harden..? Will Kobe have to come off Westbrook leaving Session or Blake on him in the 4th? *shudder*

What do you think we will see? What would you like to see?

[RocketPower23]

The most important question is...who will guard Fisher!?!?!? But seriously I'm a bit terrified at being on the receiving end of clutch D-Fish shot.

[taj2133]

lakers games 3 an4 are friday and saturday four games in 6 nights won't do well with them especally with and older team.

[Jajwanda]

Those two games at home though are nice. The team knows it's going to be challenged. I like this Laker team when they're pushed and not complacent, they respond better.

[taj2133]

the playoff schedule for lakers thunder
thunder lakers series schedule
game 1 monday
Mon 5/14
9:30 PM ET on TNT
Lakers-
Thunder
game 2 wednesday
Wed 5/16
9:30 PM ET on TNT
Lakers-
Thunder
game 3 friday
Fri 5/18
10:30 PM ET on ESPN
Thunder-
Lakers
game 4 saturday
Sat 5/19
10:30 PM ET on TNT
Thunder-
Lakers
game 5 monday may 21
Mon 5/21
TBD on TNT
Lakers-
Thunder
game 6 may 23 wednesday
Wed 5/23
TBD on ESPN
Thunder-
Lakers
game 7 sunday may 27
Sun 5/27
TBD on TNT
Lakers-
Thunder
http://espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2012/ma ... der-lakers

[DEEP3CL]

Those two games at home though are nice. The team knows it's going to be challenged. I like this Laker team when they're pushed and not complacent, they respond better.

Exactly, don't know why guys are freaking out about it. This was common back in the 80's to have back to backs in the playoffs.

Also I don't think we'll see the Blake/Sessions duo much in this series. Matt better get his sh*t together, we need his intensity and his frame for this series.

[Jajwanda]

When is the last time this team has been pushed to play a series all out? Even against Boston in 2010 they felt relieved after a game on win. I don't think they'll feel that way at any point during this one.

[LaLa]

Maybe insert Barnes in for Sessions or Blake? Barnes on Harden, Kobe on Westbrick, MWP on KD. or if not, put Blake on Westbrook, Kobe on Harden.

[MelosSoreWrist]

The most important question is...who will guard Fisher!?!?!? But seriously I'm a bit terrified at being on the receiving end of clutch D-Fish shot.

yeah.... fish isnt going to be in the game in a clutch situation

[Asianiac_24]

PLEASE MIKE BROWN less Steve Blake and more Sessions. Blake coming in nearly lost us the game against the Nuggets. We can't afford to lose leads like this against OKC

[Tee212]

i hope kb lets pau/sess work the offense so he can focus defense more on westbrook/harden then close out the game need it be. I bet pau is relieved he dont have to chase fareed down the quart anymore. Now is a great time for fish to miss open 3's and layups. Game plan is to let kd/rw to chuck and grab the boards, let ron punish harden in the post and get him in foul trouble. If we shut down one of their big 3's and win the boards i like our chances.

[Dr Aki]

put kobe on westbrook. has to be done.

cant let westbrook go off, especially from range.

[Sedale Threatt]

Wow, so we have a back-to-back? Honestly cannot remember the last time we've had that in the playoffs.

[Gek]

PLEASE MIKE BROWN less Steve Blake and more Sessions. Blake coming in nearly lost us the game against the Nuggets. We can't afford to lose leads like this against OKC

I know we didn't watch the same game last night.



What a messed up playoff schedule. Has there ever been back 2 back playoff games before?

[desertlakerfan]

To start the game, Kobe on Westbrook, Sessions on Thabo. Then when Harden comes in switch Kobe to Harden, Sessions/Blake to Westbrook.

Ideally when Harden comes in Westbrook will want to take over since he'll no longer have Kobe on him. That will help cancel out Harden's effectiveness as a playmaker setting up his teammates if we can trick Westbrook into playing hero ball when our PG's defend him.

[dockingsched]

i think the back to back's are a combination of the compressed schedule and that the clippers/lakers/kings all had to book dates at the staples with each team having game 3 and 4 at home. clips might not advance, but they had to book the dates anyway.

[Cares]

PLEASE MIKE BROWN less Steve Blake and more Sessions. Blake coming in nearly lost us the game against the Nuggets. We can't afford to lose leads like this against OKC

If Blake didn't come up big for us in game 4 and 7 I'm pretty sure we would be out fishing.

[chyau.00]

out of the 3 players, harden is probably the best playmaker and least capable scorer. Lakers should focus on locking down westbrook and durant and let harden take the offensive load for okc. harden won't be able to sustain high scoring games for a whole series, but westbrook and durant can.

[kblo247]

PLEASE MIKE BROWN less Steve Blake and more Sessions. Blake coming in nearly lost us the game against the Nuggets. We can't afford to lose leads like this against OKC

Sessions lack of defense and hesitation shooting nearly cost us the series. Lake outplayed him this round as a two way player which is sad. Ramon hesitated too much, didn't take a charge, and was scared to hit picks hard which is going to be worse when he meets Perk who sets mini KG screens

[Mamba Venom]

The key will be Bynum/Gasol/Hill help D if/when Westbrook and Harden penetrate.

Starters
Westbrook vs. Kobe
Sefolosha vs. Sessions
Durant vs. Metta
Ibaka vs. Gasol
Perkins vs. Bynum

+When Harden is in for Westbrook Kobe should take him

->If they go Westbrook, Harden, Durant I'd bring in Barnes on Harden. Metta can't guard Harden or the refs will take another pound of flesh. Barnes on Harden may be a really good answer if Matt can keep moving his feet.