This might have been an incredible playoff series, if the Los Angeles Lakers had joined the postseason entirely healthier. Alas, the injury bug finally took a out of Kobe Bryant's interesting feet, depriving fans of an exciting conflict between the Black Mamba and Tim Duncan, two early nominees for the All-Century group. With the graying Lakers choice hobbled, the San Antonio Spurs have ruthlessly absorbed the series. They won each of the first three activities by double digits and approved L.A. a shellacking in Game 3, the worst house playoff loss in the franchise's storied history. Claire Goudelock will start at shooting guard for L.A., and he brings an MVP reputation. Unfortunately, that has been MVP of the D-League, and these would be the NBA playoffs.AThough the Lakers should come out fighting, they don't genuinely have a puncher's opportunity in this one. Time:ASunday, April 28, 7 p.m. ET Where:AStaples Center, L. A., CA Line Record: 3-0 Spurs TV:ATNT Game 4 Important Storyline: Regard Activities is focused on perseverance and personality, but very few rational people would give any chance to the Lakers of winning four straight games against San Antonio and pulling off a crazy return. That sort of thing only doesn't occur in the NBA, regardless of how much personality and will a team has. L.A. isn't waving the white flag fairly however, and their target is placed on winning only one game. They will attempt to repeat it in Game 5, if that works on Sunday. However the Spurs aren't prone to narcolepsy, and the Lakers will not catch them napping. Although the business circumstances and staff makeup are significantly different, the Lakers find themselves in about the exact same area whilst the Ny Knicks in last year's playoffs: down 0-3 to a vastly superior opponent. At that point, the modest target becomes just avoiding a sweep.AThe Knicks borrowed a game title contrary to the Miami Heat this past year, and confetti rained down on Madison Square Garden. While the Lakers aren't as hungry for a postseason victory as the deprived Knicks were a year ago, ending the time by getting taken would leave an especially acrid taste in the mouths of fans and players. Collection Star To Date Manu Ginobili's astonishing generation helped crucial the Spurs' first two wins, but this honor clearly belongs to 1 of two people: Tim Duncan or Tony Parker. Without disrespect to the 37-year-old Duncan, who has continued to perform at an incredibly advanced level, Parker's creation has been more essential. The margin of victory in Game 3 was greater than that in the very first two games combined, and his team was carryed by the Frenchman through both home games. He used his 18 points, eight dimes and three steals in Game 1 withA28 points, seven assists and four boards in Game 2,Aposting team-highs in points and assists in both activities. By enough time the series headed to California, the Lakers were all but French toast thanks in large part to Parker.AThough the Frenchman has had the main benefit of preserving a frontcourt, his offensive output has stayed MVP-caliber. Predicted Starting Lineups Spurs: Tony Parker, PG; Danny Green, SG; Kawhi Leonard, SF; Tim Duncan, PF;ADeJuanABlair, H Lakers: Darius Morris, PG;AAndrew Goudelock, SG; Earl Clark, SF; Pau Gasol, PF; Dwight Howard, H Spurs Injury Report (via CBSSports.com) Tiago Splitter (leg), out; Boris Diaw (right back), dubious Lakers Injury Record Kobe Bryant (Achilles), out; Steve Nash (hamstring), out;ASteve Blake (hamstring), out; Jodie Meeks (ankle), out;AMettaAWorld Peace (knee), out Spurs Can Gain If... The rebounding battle is won by them (or, actually, just so long as the team coach causes it to be to the market). Rebounding was among the few benefits the Lakers had over the Spurs entering the collection. Behind Howard's existence on the glass, the Lakers finished fourth in staff rebounding while San Antonio placed 20th. However, despite fielding two seven-footers, L.A. has been out-rebounded in these playoffs (43.0 to 39.7 per game). With DeJuan Blair calculating to slot in for the wounded Tiago Splitter, the Spurs will be small in the middle. Although Blair represents bigger than his 6'7" size suggests, it will be a hard matchup against Pau and Dwight, plus Earl Clark who figures to start for MWP. Matt Bonner, aka the Red Mamba, can also start at the 4 with Duncan falling to the 5, but the matchup issues would not be aided by this down low. None the less, Timmy will discover a method to counteract all his team's shortcomings. He is that good. Lakers Can Gain If... They have a wide rebounding edge, perform amazing defense and get surprised with scoring from their no-name backcourt. Howard and Gasol could combine for 60 factors and 50 rebounds, and the Lakers could manage to lose anyway. They're minus the top four guards on their list, plus their starting swingman. AsABleacher Report columnistAKevinADing set it, L.A.'s selection on court for tipoff will be Pau Gasol and a quartet of men who might not be wearing the pink and gold next year. Essentially the one thing that the Lakers have going for them may be the will to prevent a brush in the home and save a modicum of respect from this completely damaged season.ASomehow, the Vegas favorite to represent the West is anxiously hoping for a upset to scratch out just a single playoff success. Prediction Seeing the Lakers in this line, I am reminded of a verse from the Gospel of Matthew: The spirit is willing, nevertheless the flesh is weak. Thinking about the Lakers' numerous entries on the injury record, it's perhaps not surprising they are staring down the barrel of a brush. Even Howard and Gasol are rising damaged, nursing shoulder and knee injuries which have hampered them throughout every season. Missing the playoffs may have been a better way to finish the season for the Lake Show, as it would have at the least spared them the indignity of a postseason belly flop. Expect the Lakers to come out fast in this game because they are backed into a place. They will play with a scrappy hunger, but they won't be sustained by that contrary to the stout Spurs. As the halftime score could be near, Gregg Popovich's group won't fool around with a Casino Game 5 and use their brooms on Sunday evening. Prediction:ASpurs 105, Lakers 86
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