vlaze.com

The Lakers came away with a 14 points victory despite a cold shooting game from Kobe Bryant. Kenyon Martin and JR Smith combined to hold Bryant to 9-26 shooting but Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol combined for 53 points and 30 rebounds. George Karl's strategy has been to put an all out effort on Kobe and let the Lakers supporting cast beat him. With Pau Gasol with the Lakers this strategy must change. The Nuggets are a bad defensive team with the mind frame to win by outscoring your opponent. This might work in the regular season when teams are faced with back-to-back games and bad travel spots. There are no back-to-back games in the NBA Playoffs and the Lakers will have 2 days rest for Game 2. We have seen this core of Nuggets blow themselves up like they did in the playoffs against the Clippers a few years ago. AI wasn't with the team two years ago but I could see this game getting away from Denver and so to will be their will to fight back. I know George Karl will make adjustments but you think Phil Jackson wont find anything on tape to improve his team on?? George Karl said after game 1 that he will need to address the defense. It's probably too late in the season to make a difference. Take LA –7 ½.