Lakers-Nuggets Game 5 Recap

The Lakers team that showed up last night provided a glimpse of the capabilities of this team. When the Lakers are clicking on all cylinders—they can be a formidable force. The problem has been their inconsistency not their ability. There has never been a question about whether the Lakers were talented enough to be a dominant team. The questions have arisen in response to the lackadaisical play that has been on display throughout these playoffs.
Last night, the Lakers got the contributions from Lamar Odom and the bench that had been lacking in the previous four games. Odom demonstrated why he is one of the most versatile players in the league. LO made his presence known with 19 points, 14 rebounds, 4 blocks and 3 assists. The Lakers offense flowed with such ease that the stagnant, “Kobe-centric” offense that was previously on display seemed even more maddening. The biggest play of the game came courtesy of a big defensive play from Gasol. After intercepting a Chauncey Billups pass, Gasol lead the break and delivered a perfectly timed pass to Shannon Brown who stuffed the ball in the face of Chris Andersen.
Conversely, the Nuggets did not play their style of basketball and this was the first game in which Denver got hit in the mouth and did not respond. The Nuggets had a stretch from the end of the third quarter to the 7:52 mark of the fourth quarter in which they went scoreless. The Nuggets showed none of the tenacity and braggadocio that had characterized them throughout the series to this point. The good news for the Nuggets is that this series is headed back to Denver—now we just have to wait and see which Lakers team joins them there.