Purple Reign

The Lakers came out on fire offensively tonight, hitting some ridiculously tough shots, particularly Pau Gasol from the top of the key. Dallas answered with a huge run that was embarrassing to watch as a Laker fan, including a 3 in the key that stretched that run out. With a double digit deficit in the first quarter, Kobe dropped 7 straight points to breathe some life back into the Lakers who suddenly looked like their Los Angeles counterpart (oh wait, the Clips actually won the Mavs).

After a quick timeout from Dallas, the Lakers flexed their bench plugging in Ariza and Odom to bring some energy out on the floor. Ariza has been a huge factor in the Lakers season so far, and Odom is, well, Odom. The hustle Ariza brings game in game out is obvious, ask Gerald Green who got trampled on the floor by Ariza and was taken out of the game to tend to a bloody lip.

Los Angeles played some careless offense and the fast break points opened up the gash the Lakers just closed up, getting back a 10 point lead to end the first quarter. The Laker defense looked sloppy in transition.

Another 3 seconds called. Another Bynum shaking his head in disbelief. Side note, Ariza just always seems to be hussling and he was making everything happen for the Lakers. Alot of people picked out Odom to be the big boost off of the bench, and while he is great off the bench, Ariza has been a much greater change of pace than Odom. Although, Odom's role is more of a supervisor while Kobe rests his legs.

The Lakers turned it over on some bonehead moves, including an almost full court lob for some unforeseen reason. Farmar had a rough night, all night. Phil threw back in all the starters, sans Vladi, and Kobe got to work creating offense and knocking down a few shots to again bring the Lakers back into the game. Dallas just kept on answering though, with some blown defensive assignments and Dirk hitting a tough shot over two defenders. Jason Kidd had his way with the Lakers throughout the second quarter, Dallas by six at the end of the half.

Dallas came out fired up after half time, and the Lakers still cant get into rhythm. The turnovers stacked up and the Lakers became their own worst enemy. Dampier lit Bynum up under the middle, and Bynum struggled with his shot all night. With a 3 point lead in the 4th, Gerald Green continued to have a hot night with a huge fast break dunk. The Lakers, however, started to take over after a huge play by Ariza following up a missed free throw. Kobe checked in and the black mamba could sense the crumbling Mavericks. He tightened his grip and choked the life out of Dallas hitting shot after shot, driving, and just taking over (someone always has to take over in the 4th quarter).

Dallas continued to fight back still clutching for straws, but the Lakers managed to hang onto their lead. Game of the night by far. Couldn't turn away for the life of me. Lakers remain undefeated, trailing the entire game till the fourth where they never let go of the lead.

Lakers 106 Dallas 99

Quote of the Game

"Kidd loves back door cutters"

(Honorable mention to the story of Gerald Green : The Big Red Dog. Pretty ridiculous story to be told, makes ya wonder.)

Stat of the Night

Lakers 3 Point Shooting - 0-9 till the last seconds the 3rd quarter. I said it before I'll say it again, they haven't found their stroke, and eventually that will catch up to them

Player of the Game

Trevor Ariza. Without his hustle and heart out there tonight, Los Lakers would have never been in this game, and his huge play in the 4th getting the rebound from the missed free throw and throwing down a huge jam to give the Lakers their first lead since the 1st quarter. Numbers might not show it, but without a doubt, he made the comeback possible. And hey, that block on Terry even if he was fouled? Ariza went WAYYYYY up there to challenge that one. Oh, and blocking a Stackhouse wide open 3 with the 2 point lead in the last minute of the game? Think he wants sixth man of the year?

(Honorable Mention: Jason Kidd. 16 pts 10 assists 11 rebounds. Triple Double is noyce)