Well, not exactly. The Lakers' 99-93 win in Indianapolis against the Pacers was probably the team's best win of the season. Put the emphasis on team. While Kobe Bryant is the engine that drives this team, even the best cars need the remaining parts to be in working order. Tonight was the first time that the bulk of the components on the floor did that together.
Dwight Howard did not have his best game (foul trouble, under 50 percent from the field, four turnovers), but he played with energy, blocked shots (four total) and produced when it mattered. His 20 and 12 will be best remembered for the three-point play that gave the Lakers the lead for good at 90-87 with 90 seconds remaining.
Steve Nash was the distributor many expected upon his arrival. He didn't shoot great, but he played a great floor game with nine assists against just two turnovers.
For one night, Metta World Peace looked like rugged Ron Artest, circa 2006 defensively. He held David West to eight points, scored 19 points, hustled, took bad shots and basically was the whirling dervish of old on the court.
But the major difference was the bench, namely the tandem of Steve Blake and Antawn Jamison. Blake was fantastic. The easy choice for the player of this game, Blake had 18 points and seven assists and six rebounds, which alone would be great for a reserve.
Or most starters.
But the major factor was Blake's play defensively. He had four steals and two blocks but seemed to be in the middle of everything when he was on the floor. It was definitively his best game as a Laker and an extension of his underappreciated play of late.
Complementing Blake was Jamison, who was b...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
