D-Fish Saves His Best for Last

Monday night’s match-up against the Dallas Mavericks was less about redemption for past playoff woes, and more about healing a fresher wound. It also marked the return of Lamar Odom (as well as Khloe Kardashian) for the first time since being dealt to the Mavs after a trade attempt to New Orleans was nullified by David Stern. In the process, feelings were hurt, accusations were thrown, and the next thing you know, the Lakers were suddenly without the services of last season’s 6th-Man-of-the-Year while the Mavs added a ball player who still doesn’t quite grasp his new role with the team. The hurt may not surface as often, but the raw emotions associated with them were still evident as Staples Center stood and saluted one of their own.

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Lamar (10 points on 4-12, 4 rebounds, 2 assists) got a rousing standing ovation and a bear-hug from Derek Fisher (13 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals) when he entered the game with 7:32 remaining in the first quarter. He acknowledged his long-time supporters and immediately went to work by knocking down his first jumper from the perimeter over Pau Gasol (8 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block). As for the game itself, the Lakers seemed to be playing with a chip on their shoulders looking to prove that last season was just an anomaly never to be repeated again. But maybe even more nervous than Odom were the Lakers themselves. Starting with a heavy dose of kicking the ball inside, the Lakers could not get anything to fall for them. But they persevered and continued to pound the ball inside, and it finally began to pay off as Dallas started to fatigue under the constant duress.

It seems like only yesterday that Lamar Odom was winning the 6th-Man-of-the-Year award. Copyrights may apply. All rights reserved.

Andrew Bynum (17 points, 15 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block) and Josh McRoberts (7 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal) connected for an alley-oop play to put the Lakers ahead 23-21, after a horrendous start that saw both teams struggle from the field. After being held scoreless in the first period, Kobe Bryant (14 points on 7-21, 7 assists, 3 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 block) returned to the line-up just as Dirk Nowitzki (21 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist) began to heat up with back-to-back fallaway jumpers, giving the Mavs a slim 30-25 lead. Kobe got his first bucket of the game after Shawn Marion (7 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block) inadvertently threw him the ball for a breakaway gimme. The Lakers managed to limp into halftime ahead 39-35 after trailing for most of the first half, thanks to some cold shooting by the Mavs, who went 3-15 (20%) from long range.

Matt Barnes (9 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists) got the Lakers off on the right track but Dallas stormed back behind some solid D and retook the lead, 45-43. Dirk began finding the range and started commanding the ball while the Lakers became jump-shot happy allowing Dallas to gobble up the rebounds. Play deteriorated further as both coaches brought in their second units. The cold shooting continued to plague the Lakers as Dallas slowly extended their lead to 51-45. The Lakers managed only 7-points in the period on 3-19 shooting. Fortunately, Dallas only scored 16-points themselves, otherwise this game would have been over.

McRoberts gave the fans something to cheer about with his reverse slam off the lob pass from Metta World Peace (2 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal) to open the final period of play. Jason Kapono (2 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist) found a wide-open Bynum under the hoop to draw the Lakers to within 55-52 with 8:59 to go. The Lakers got a much-needed defensive stop, then Kobe converted on an “and-1″ but failed to hit the free throw to tie the score. Kobe’s jumper from the elbow after a Vince Carter (6 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals) driving toss-in kept LA close but unable to regain the lead. Fisher’s steal on Nowitzki and Barnes subsequent free throws finally gave them the lead at 60-59. The 37-yr. old Fish then snared a rebound, was fouled and dropped a pair of free throws, then stole the ball again resulting in his breakaway lay-in to put the Lakers in control 64-59 and forcing Dallas to call time-out.

Fisher was on a roll as he nailed a jumper but Dirk finally stopped the bleeding with one of his own. Nowitzki found himself going to the line with regularity and the German did not flinch as he easily made his way around the Spaniard. With 2:01 remaining, Bynum’s turnaround bank shot gave the Lakers a 70-65 advantage as Dallas went with their small line-up. Dallas got a much needed offensive put-back from Ian Mahinmi (9 points, 10 rebounds, 1 steal). The Lakers were unable to score at their end, but Dirk was forced into a traveling violation with just 0:38 seconds on the clock and the Lakers clinging to a 70-68 lead. After another Kobe miss, Jason Terry (7 points, 7 assists, 1 rebound, 1 steal) quickly tied the score with a floater down the middle of the lane.

With all eyes on Kobe with 9.9 seconds to go, the Black Mamba deferred to the hot-hand and delivered a perfect pass to a wide-open D-Fish who nailed the 3-pointer with 03.1 ticks on the clock. Carter’s desperation shot at the end of regulation bounced harmlessly away as El Presidente put himself at the forefront once again, securing the Lakers 73-70 win. The Lakers travel to Miami for a game against the Heat on Thursday followed by a back-to-back at the Orlando the following night.