After L.A.’s impressive second half comeback erased a 15-point halftime deficit, Lamar Odom was asked to identify the defensive key in a second half in which the Knicks shot just 38.9 percent (2-of-8 from three) after shooting 51 percent and canning 11 threes in the first half.
“Effort,” said Odom, who battled through his own sickness to contribute 17 points, 12 boards and four assists in 38 minutes with Pau Gasol missing the game due to strep throat.
Moments later, Kobe Bryant was asked the same question.
“Adjustments,” responded Bryant, who scored a team-high 28 points plus six helpers and seven boards.
Let’s just say it’s a bit of both, shall we?
After all, Mike D’Antoni’s offense is certainly unique in NBA circles; It relies in part on early shot clock threes, which is hard for teams to adjust to quickly, and the Knicks executed it exceptionally in the first half. But after Quentin Richardson hit four triples and Tim Thomas, Chris Duhon and Nate Robinson nailed two each in the first half, only the latter two managed to get one down in the second, thanks to … well … what Odom called effort and Bryant adjustments.
But speaking of Robinson: The former college football player was nearly unstoppable in the second half, scoring 18 of his game-high 33 points thanks in part to his 12-of-12 from the foul line. Indeed, Robinson was New York’s key player in a crazy final 1:15 of action. First came the game’s biggest three-pointer from the 5′9” Robinson as Bryant closed out to contest, a bomb that put the Knicks up one after Kobe had nailed one of his patented isolation jumpers from the top of the key.
Next came a fantastic play from Odom, who somehow grabbed a risky inbounds pass from Ariza away from Harrington (Odom later said it was “because he had to”), took a few dribbles into the lane and tossed an alley-oop to Ariza to reclaim the lead. Harrington and Ariza would both miss shots on respective next possessions, which set the Knicks up with the ball and 26.4 seconds left. Robinson got the call, and after a pick and roll got him isolated with Bynum, Robinson blew by him but couldn’t get a leaner to go with a collapsing Lakers defense surrounding him.
Fisher then hit the ensuing free throws, giving the Knicks a three-point deficit with 6.4 seconds to play. Phil Jackson, smartly, decided to foul on the floor and put Robinson at the line instead of allowing a potential game-tying three. The reason it was so smart was that the Knicks had no time outs left, meaning that even after Robinson drained both, and Fisher missed 1-of-2, the Knicks couldn’t advance the ball and had to huck up a three-quarter court three at the buzzer. No good.
So with Spike Lee and Chris Rock’s looks of “could have been” being outweighed by Jack, Gwen Stafani and David Beckham’s smiles, the Lakers snuck off the floor with their first big comeback victory of the season, heading into a four-game road trip that kicks off in Miami on Friday.
Your numbers:
4
L.A.’s biggest lead of the evening, compared to the Knicks 15-point edge at the half.
7
Assists for Derek Fisher, a season high in his 32:50 of playing time. Fish added 15 points and a key fourth quarter swipe of Robinson to the effort, as Jordan Farmar played just nine minutes off the bench and missed 5-of-6 shots while committing three fouls.
10
Knicks rebounds in the second half, compared with 23 from the Lakers. L.A. really locked down the defensive glass, with Andrew Bynum alone pulling down seven boards (11 total). It was also tough for the Knicks to grab defensive boards because the Lakers made 26-of-43 shots (60.5 percent) and grabbed five offensive rebounds, including three from Bynum.
11
Triples made by New York in the first half.
14
Points by Luke Walton, a season high. Walton added five boards, two assists and a steal in 22 minutes.
38.9
New York’s shooting percentage in the second half.
50
Points in the paint by the Lakers, to just 30 for the Knicks.
18,997
Fans who saw L.A.’s 21st win in 24 games in probably the most entertaining home contest of the season.
