It took the defending NBA champion L.A. Lakers three whole quarters to turn it on, but they were able to do just enough to edge out a 93-81 victory over the scrappy Philadelphia 76ers. The Lakers started the fourth quarter in a four point hole but after a 23-4 run, quickly found themselves in complete control.
The Sixers, on the other hand, were flat from the very start. Philly started the game missing their first 11 shots, and missing 10 of their first 11 shots in the second. Now when you’re playing teams that are of similar talent, you may be able to squeak out a victory even when you’re off. However, when you are playing an elite team like the Lakers you must bring it every second of the game.
The starting guards for the 76ers, Jrue Holiday and Jodie Meeks, combined for only 12 points and shot 4-22 from the field, including a horrific 0-7 from the three point line. In fact, the Sixers, as a whole, shot 37% from the field and 14% from behind the arc. They tended to rely too much on the outside shot instead of working the ball in the paint.
True, the Lakers are an excellent defensive team that’s stacked with size, but that still doesn’t excuse them for not attacking the basket and settling for jumpers. One of the few bright spots from the game was the play of Spencer Hawes. Hawes finished with his second straight double-double, 18 points and 13 rebounds, and is looking better after every game.
After a game like this, the last thing the fans need to do is look down on the young Sixers. Yes, it was a tough loss, and they looked more like a team that is years away rather than a team on the brinks of righting the ship.
However, keep in mind that they played Kobe Bryant and the two-time defending world champion Lakers. There aren’t too many teams better than them in the NBA. Unfortunately for the Sixers the road to gaining respect doesn’t get any easier as they travel to Orlando for a showdown with the Magic this Saturday night.
Hopefully, they will take Friday night’s defeat to the Lakers as a learning lesson and bring their “A” game versus the Magic.
As long as the lakers stayed close, they knew that they could turn on the defense and turn up the offense in the fourth quarter to get a comfortable win. Sixers are playing much better but are no match for the Lakers.