Lakers/Spurs Game 4 Live Blog

BBB15 here alongside...uh, noone yet, to kick off the NBA Pre-Game show presented to you by AGM, where sport lives.

This will be the 52nd time these two teams meet in the playoffs. I believe thats good enough for second most times two teams have played eachother in NBA Playoff history.

Can LA stop Manu Ginobili after his breakout game on Sunday?? Or will Kobe step in and stop the high-powered Spurs offense??

Kobe has averaged 31.7 PPG this postseason for LA, while Tim Duncan has dominated the paint for San Antonio (14.3 RPG this postseason).

"I like players to get their rest, there's no doubt, but any time you have a game of that importance and you don't play well, you're upset. It's bothersome." Said LA Coach Phil Jackson about his team's sleepless night after the big game 3 loss.

The Lakers really need Odom to perform tonight after his off-night on Sunday. Odom hit 2 of 11 from the field, good enough for just 7 points in game 3. Odom couldn't even hit anything from the FT line, going just 3 for 8 from the line.

This is Nate and Jeff's contribution to the Live Blog - now we are gonna go pre-game. Enjoy the game fellas!

Tonight's injury report:

LAL: ...

SAS: ...

Welp, that's a good sign. No injuries for either team.

So...LA pretty much needs everyone running on all cylinders. Hopefully Fisher will score a few more than his 2 points last game.

So...Let's take a break from this action-packed pre-game show, and bring you some sports updates.

The Yanks, and O's are tied at 4 in the top of the 3rd inning. Johnny Damon is the story of the night so far, with a 3-run jack in the top half of the 2nd inning. Let's go O's!!!

Willie Randolph, and his struggling Mets are currently up 3-1 over the 30-20 Florida Marlins with Johan Santana on the mound.

The Pittsbrgh Pirates are WINNING 1-0!!! Over the Reds in the bottom of the 2nd inning. Let's beat the losing streak!!

Sorry sorry, I feel like ESPN with all this East Coast bias. Well, the Cubs, and Dodgers (from LA) are knotted at zero at the end of the third inning. It is a whomping 47 degrees in Chicago. Yuck!

Well, since we're already off-topic, why not do a little self-promotion!!! Check out my latest post on last night's BOS/DET game 4 matchup, and find out who Whatifsports.com thinks will win the series (Go Detroit!).

http://www.a...on_to_Finals???

Ok, now back to the pre-game show!

LAL/SAS by the numbers:

LA

As favorite: 45-13

As underdog: 12-12

At home: 30-11

On Road: 27-14

SA

As favorite: 51-13

As underdog: 5-13

At home: 34-7

On road: 22-19

[edit] Lakers Starting lineup:

PG- Derek Fisher

SG- Kobe Bryant

SF- Lamar Odom

PF- Vladimir Radmanovic

C- Pau Gasol

[edit] Spurs Starting Lineup:

PG- Tony Parker

SG- Manu Ginobili

SF- Bruce Bowen

PF- Tim Duncan

C- Fabrico Oberto

The game is approximately 42 minutes away from tip-off. In case anyone cared...

We are approaching game-time here on the East Coast... Pirates now up 3-0 over Griffey Jr. and the Cincy Reds.

As exclusively predicted on this site last week by someone, Reds super-prospect Jay Bruce was called up today and is in the lineup hitting second and playing CF.

We are moments away from the game on TNT, FINALLY! Does anyone else's Fantasy Baseball team suck ass, like mine?!

Annnnnd, there off at the AT & T Center in San Antonio, Texas. LA takes control of the tip-off.

Gasol leads the Lakers in scoring. Heck, he leads both teams in scoring with 2 points.

Wow, this live blog already has more comments than last night's Game 4 between Boston, and Detroit (and were only 2 minutes in).

Not a bad start for LA. Up 6 as Kobe hits the long 2. LA hit 5 of their first 7 shots, and San Antonio is without a rebound.

I hope that's not an indication the pre-game will be better than the game, Ben.

Duncan turns the ball over, and LA takes full advantage of it. San Antonio can't be doing that all night.

Like the commentators just said, the Lakers are hustling out there. That was a nice play by Kobe to get the offensive rebound. Duncan with the pushoff!! Come on, that's not like you!!

This is getting out of hand...already. The Lakers are leading 22-8 with just over 4 and a half to go in the opening QTR. Just 3 different Spurs have scored so far (Duncan, Parker, and Bruce Bowen).

Craig Sager on Manu's Ankle:

"He's been using a contrast of ice and cold."

Thanks for not earning your paycheck once again Craig...

Wow, I spoke too soon. Brent Barry hit a 3, and Parker stole the ball and laid it in. I sure hope the Spurs can make this a good game.

Wow, that's crazy. LA has outrebounded SA 9-2 so far in the game. Where is Duncan, he's grabbed 20+ a few times this postseason. Yet, ZERO in the first QTR tonight.

One Caller to the Steve Mason show on 710AM ESPN in L.A.:

"The Lakers lost game 3 so that the series can go longer and the NBA can make more TV money"

Ladies and Gentlemen the ignorance of the casual fan!

You play to win the games - YOU PLAY TO WIN THE GAME

Thirty-one seasons as an NBA referee for Joe Crawford?! That's a long time!!

Now THAT'S how you shoot Free Throws.

Duncan loses it again!! You can't be serious!! LA must've watched the Pistons game last night.

Annnnnd the first QTR is in the books.. LA has the lead, 28-23. The key to the second QTR for SA is to hold on to the ball (no more turnovers, Tim). If I was Gregg Popovich, I would be pretty happy that SA is only down 5 right now.

Ben according to NBA Superstars they never do any wrong and if it is wrong then because it is them that wrong automatically becomes a right =)

Ooooh, LA's losing it. Offensive foul on Vujacic.

Does anyone else think that was an ugly shot taken by Manu Ginobili?? How did that even hit the rim?!

Sidenote to all people in Sports Broadcasting and Journalism:

THE SPURS HAVE MOVED FROM THE ALAMODOME! They now play at the AT&T Center.

Moreover, losing game 3 was NOT a red flag for the Lakers - but losing game 4 most certainly would be.

Ben, Josh Hamilton hit an eighth inning grand slam tonite, giving him 5 ribs on the night and 58 for the season.

Oh snap! Horry is on the board. As he hits 2 of 2 from the FT line. In fact, that's his first point of the entire series!! I just realized that.

That 3-pointer made by Barry will boost SA's confidence a whole lot. Barry was almost at midcourt (sarcasm)!!

Lakers are up on Offensive Reb: 8-1 and 2nd Chance pts 14-0. They are just outworking the Spurs plain and simple.

This comment is brought to you by Productivity - in which mine is nearing negatives due to the Dodgers/Cubs and Lakers/Spurs games while I'm here at work

Looks like the tables have turned on the Lakers. The Spurs are now hustling while the Lakers seem to be struggling just a little.

Gasol picks up his 2nd personal as we are just 4 minutes away from the halfway mark.

Wow, never thought I would see Kobe win a battle in the paint against Tim Duncan.

I hate Brent Barry...

San Antonio is very much in this game now after the layup made by Parker as he is fouled on the way up. Spurs are on a 12-2 run, and are down just 2 now with 2 and a half remaining in the first half.

Tie ballgame. Duncan has 14 points, but surprisingly just 4 rebounds.

Do you think Eva is at the game?? 'Cause I haven't seen her, and usually they show her 4-5 times every quarter.

Luke Walton has hit just 2 of 9, but that 2 point shot (after the offensive rebound), was huge for LA.

Walton misses the FT, but LA gets another offensive rebound. Kobe hits the short 2-pointer just before the half ends. It is 53-47 at the break. Keys to the second half coming right up!!

Kobe Bryant puts the moves on Manu and hits in the lane - Lakers up by 6 at halftime.

[edit] Keys to the Second Half:

LAL

• Give the ball to Kobe. Kobe is the most experienced player on the team when it comes to big games. He obviously knows how to get it done on the court. Get him the ball enough, and keep Duncan away, and you've got yourself the W.

SAS

• Limit turnovers, especially for Tim Duncan. On San Antonio, Duncan is the experienced player, and leader. If Duncan fails, the entire team fails. Hopefully Duncan, and Ginobili will both get hot for the Spurs. If that happens, watch out LA!

Second half coming right up!

Actually, for San Antonio its to score seven more points than the Lakers.

Ha!

Wow, that's rare, 18 for 18 from the FT line for SA (Hope I don't jinx them).

Duncan knocks his own missed shot in, cuts the deficit to 5. Tim now has 20 points on the night.

SA is keeping this one close. Down 2 with under 5 minutes to go in QTR number 3. Unfortunately, I'm tired, and am gonna get off here for tonight. I sure hope someone finishes this live blog for me, though.

Vladi Radmonavic airballs a 3 and has his Green Card and Visa revoked

Kobe slams a double clutch over the shoulder jam to put the lakers up 69-67

3 minutes left in the 3rd and although the Spurs have picked up their intensity they are still being outworked. The Lakers are up by 2 and will need a stronger defensive effort from Gasol down the strech to pull out a win tonight. Nate from LASB to take you home filling in for Ben and Dre-LO on this live blog.

Barry and Sasha exchanged missed 3s before some good Gasol passing finds L.O. for a lay-up. Then Duncan get's a foul on Gasol and heads to the line.

Walton in the game for LO

Sasha with a hip check on Manu and it's his 3 stupid blocking foul for not moving his feet. Manu hits both FTs and Spurs are within 1 71-70

Kobe takes a screen from Gasol and Skys for a major Jam the Lakers are up by 3 again after a Walton rebound off a Manu miss

Sasha hits a big 3 and the foul! Farmar with a creative pass to free up his man for the possible 4 point play. Ariza comes in for the final mintue of the 3rd for Kobe. Sasha makes the FT 77-70 Lakers

Walton and Duncan miss each teams final shot of the quarter and the Spurs have lost a point in this quarter as we head to the 4th 77-70 Lakers. According to Kelsdad McCarver the Spurs now need to go +8 in the final quarter to complete a comeback and win this game.

Kobe time now for the Lake Show...

If the Lakers just keep the Status Quo they'll escape SA with a split

That's all Barry does, Spurs live on the three point shot.

18 points for Barry - if the Lakers rotate off of him one more time I'm gonna put my foot in someones ass

Kobe checks back in as well as LO - they join Turiaf, Walton and Farmar - 5 unaswered points for the Spurs to start the 4th

Kobe with the 22 footer, Lakers 79- Spurs 75

Barry makes it a 2 point game but Kobe responds 20 for Barry tonight

LO with the Offensive board, he shovels it to Bryant, a miss - Turiaf rebounds and Bowen commits the first foul of the Quarter for SA

Lakers up 81-79 with about 6 minutes to play. Turiaf has had a frustrating 4th and after getting entangled with Oberto before this time out the two exchange words. Nothing comes of it and we head into the final 6 minutes with the Spurs up +5 in the quarter

If the Lakers lose this game I'm concerned that they may end up losing game 5....because this is theirs to lose.

Thanks for the contributions Anon - feel free to sign up and earn points for your work.

Fisher brings the Lakers starters together for a pep talk as they all return to the floor to close out the game.

Odom is playing better, but still can't shoot.

How is that a blocking foul? What nonsense.

LO has hit the last two shots of the game and has pushed this to a 6 point game. And 1 is good its a 7 point game 3:45 left

LAsportsblog, are you ready to watch the lakers go to the finals now?

Kobe picks up a loose ball and slams it home Lakers up by 9 heading into a Spurs time out with 3:26 to play! The Lakers are two stops and two makes now from making this a 13 point game and effectively putting it in the frige - Still lots of work to go though - the Spurs still have Finley, Barry and Manu all of who can turn it on and bring their team back

Barry hits a 3 and he has 25, Fisher responds with a 2 off a Gasol offensive board then Duncan responds to make it a 6 point game. Foul on Odom and he goes to the line and hits 1 the Lakers go back up 91-84

Barry with a bad pass into the Laker bench 1:46 to play

Parker hits a lay up but Odom responds with 2 free throws and with 45 seconds left the Lakers are still up by 7

THEY CANNOT LEAVE BRENT BARRY ALONE!!!!!

sorry 50 seconds to go and Gasol is fouled tyring to rebound a Barry missed 3

Kobe has no free throws tonight and only 1 or 2 assist Gasol misses both Duncan rebounds

Manu with a 3! 30 seconds Duncan goes to Parker on a Kobe miss and a Goaltend by Odom - Lakers up by 2 with 28 seconds left

Spurs force Fisher into a bad fade away 2 that airballs but he ball goes off a Spurs leg and out of bounds! It's Lakers ball still with 6 seconds to play and the Spurs will surly foul and hope they can make something happen in the final possession

Way to go, Kobe.

The Lakers didn't have a new shot clock and Kobe forces up a 2 that air balls and the Spurs call time out. On the final posession Barry gets it and pump fakes - Fisher jumps into him but Forte swallows his whistle and Barry misses the 3 the lakers escape 93-91 and take a 3-1 series lead.

Never should have come down to this.....but the Spurs should be O-U-T.

Fisher didn't have any FT attempts either. That's got to be a first, two starting guards combine for 76 minutes and zero free throws. Unbelievable.

Thanks for following along or reading afterward - thats all for tonight. For Kelsdad, Big Ben, DRE-LO, Rob, Aaron, Dan, Pean, ManRays, and of course Jeff I'm Nate - so long from my office.

I'm at work too, Nate. Tough to participate in a blog without watching. Thanks for hanging in there til the end.