Rodgers Report: Corralling the Spurs

The Lakers (3-2)
at
The Spurs (6-1)
in
San Antonio

LA’s Keys
1. Be Relentless
2. Aim for the Stars
3. Hope

Be Relentless
The Spurs are what everyone who watches basketball thinks they are: the best team year after year. They start games strong, they finish strong, and they don’t yield in the face of adversity. LA must meet them in intensity and cannot take any possessions off. One missed opportunity can send San Antonio off on a long run. And we all know how hard it is to chase San Antonio.

Aim for the Stars
Attack the big name players from San Antonio. This is not something the Lakers have been able to do over the past few years. While Kobe Bryant can drive all night long, even against an aging Bruce Bowen, the Lakers haven’t had a post scorer since Shaq left. Now, I like the combination of Odom, Turiaf, and Bynum attacking Duncan all night long. Fisher can do a job against Parker as well. Attack all game long, force them into foul trouble, and get them playing passively.

Hope
One aspect of the game is out of the Lakers’ hands. LA could play the best game they’re able to play and the Spurs could still win the game. LA just does not have the cohesion and confidence at this point to beat the Spurs’ A-game. Some amount of help will have to come from the Spurs’ side of things.

Prediction
Spurs 99
Lakers 93