Trevor Ariza gets his ring... then Lakers fans hope he gets rung. Or something like that.

Game chat below.

BK

Trevor Ariza gets his ring... then Lakers fans hope he gets rung. Or something like that.

Game chat below.

BK

A few reminders: First, hang out after the game for the postgame chat. It'll start about 10 minutes after the final buzzer, and is more Q and A than typical in-game free for all. Not every comment will go through. The goal is for it to actually be readable for those who aren't able to participate. Second, if you haven't already (and are so inclined), remember to start following us now at latimesKbros on the Twitter.

Obviously tonight's tussle is as about as anticipated a game as can be had so early in the season. The Nuggets are fired up, to say the least. For a little more pregame reading, check out game previews at Forum Blue and Gold and Pickaxe and Roll. Should be a great game. Kobe has been, well, Kobe, and on the odd chance you've totally stopped paying attention to the NBA this year and happened to miss it, Carmelo Anthony has been a very bad man.

Chat box below.

BK

It was against the Hornets, fully in "get our coach fired" mode, but it was hard not to be impressed by the Suns Wednesday night, just as it's been hard not to be impressed by them all year. Not just because of their obvious and impressive offensive prowess, but the hustle. The Suns were hitting the offensive glass hard (at one point in the first half, Phoenix had 10 ORB on only 16 misses) getting every loose ball, and at least trying to play aggressively on defense. I always felt Phoenix was an underrated defensive team back in the D'Antoni era, and they seem to be making an effort at it under Alvin Gentry. 

The Lakers will have to show not only attentiveness defending their basket, but serious discipline offensively. At practice Wednesday afternoon, Kobe (Bryant) acknowledged the Megan Fox-in-this-photo seductiveness of their style of ball, and it's important for the Lakers to be smart in how and when they choose to push and avoid getting caught up in a style that favors the Suns. Shot selection is always key against a running team. 

Chat box below.

BK

Well, it took five extra minutes and a lot of anxiety, but the Lakers pulled out back-to-back road wins in overtime, this time against the Houston Rockets.  Like the previous night's muddy, often ugly work in Oklahoma City, there were aspects enjoyable, along with some elements I could have done without.   But it's a win, and I'll always accept a "W" with very little arm twisting.

The Good

• 24 hours removed from treating the ball like it was a greased pig (26 turnovers vs. Oklahoma City), the Lakers took considerably better care of the rock.  Only nine gaffes this time around. In a game where you don't play even close to your best, it helps to minimize the damage on some level. By contrast, Houston had nineteen turnovers. 
• Some terrific defensive teamwork by Derek Fisher and Andrew Bynum on high screen and roll coverage down the fourth quarter stretch, which sparked dry Houston possessions. The Lakers then capitalized, which allowed them get back into the game and force the bonus period.  While the defense was anything but perfect on the night, it definitely got better as the game progressed.
• Despite some missed assignments and bunnies, Drew's 17/17 effort was pretty strong. 
• 41 points for Kobe Bryant, with six in OT.  As the minutes increased, so did the degree of difficulty for many of those shots.  There's a reason the guy is often referred to as the game's best closer.
• "Traded" players Ron Artest and Trevor Ariza trading threes to force OT.  You can't script that stuff, but you'd sure like to, so it's awesome when real life has a sense of drama.
• Not an incredible effort from the bench, but trending upward.
• Getting 'er done.  Bottom line.

The Not as Good

• Houston beating the Lakers 54-48 on the glass, with seventeen offensive boards.  It's a team of midgets.  Granted, they're midgets talented at rebounding, but they're also just a crew of hustlers.  You have to expect that and meet the energy.  The Lakers didn't and allowed way too many second and third chances.  And on a related note, too many layups.
• By and large, the ball movement was stagnant, with way too few looks inside to capitalize on LA's size advantage.
• Fisher: 0-5 with a goose egg in the scoring column.  Granted, he had some huge plays in critical moments (including defense and a steal on Houston's final possession), but they needed more from him on the offensive end.  And his overall D on Brooks was spotty.
• Allowing Carl Landry to score 20 off the bench and Chuck Hayes to score 14... period. 
• Lamar Odom's first half.  1-8 for a trio of points.  Ouch!

Jabber box below for the chat.

AK

Update: The Lakers dodge a bullet, Matrix-style, outlasting Orlando 101-96 in overtime to seize a 2-0 advantage in the NBA Finals. Courtney Lee missed a layup at the buzzer to send the game into extra time after Hedo Turkoglu blocked Kobe Bryant. It wasn't the vintage Bryant we saw in Game 1, but his sidekicks were spectacular. Lamar Odom was brilliant again, with 19 points, eight boards and two blocks. Pau Gasol came on strong late to finish with 24 and ten. Game 3 is Tuesday night in Orlando. Stay tuned - plenty more to come!

BT

The basketball universe- myself included- expects the Magic to put out a better effort tonight,  Dwight Howard isn't going to finish with one field goal, Orlando will shoot better than 30%.  On the other hand, if the Lakers continue to play with the form they showed in the Denver series an in Thursday's Game 1, it may not matter. 

How the Magic will respond to LA's pick and roll game and how aggressively they throw defenders at Kobe generally is a big question heading into the game.  If I'm the Lakers, I welcome any extra attention they'd like to send.  LA is moving the ball so well that the end result tends to be a great look for someone else... and Kobe is going to get his anyway.  I think LA takes things back to Orlando with a two game lead.

Chat box below.

BK

Update: And that's how you kick off a Finals in style, kids.  Game 1 shakes out 100-75 in the Lakers' favor over the Orlando Magic!  It was widely assumed Kobe Bryant would be a force to reckon with, but with a 40/8/8 performance, any naysayers were provided no hat hanging material.  Nearly every supporting cast member found moments to shine, creating a glow experienced by virtually nobody on the Magic.  Orlando's big three (Dwight Howard, Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis) combined for just 33 points on a wretched 6-27 from the field.  More to come later.  Thanks for dropping by.

AK

It's time.  Everything that can be said before the opening tip has been.  Or at least I hope that's the case, since we're basically out of time.

Chat box below.

BK

Before the series started, I predicted Lakers in seven.  That, of course, would mean they'd lose tonight's Game 6.  But make no mistake, the prospect of having Sunday off far outweighs any gratification I'd get out of a spot-on forecast.  I'm not that proud.

And if I'm willing to end this thing early (and sacrifice self interest, because I'm a giver by nature) imagine how into the notion the Lakers might be!   It'll take a good effort, but something like what LA put forth in Game 5 might get it done. 

Chat box below.

BK

Let's talk Western Conference Finals!

Chat box below.

BK

UPDATE:  Lakers go into Denver and notch a 103-97 Game 3 win over the Nuggets.  Another hard fought, tight battle- Damn, this has been a series so far!- with the purple and gold emerging on top.  Pau Gasol and Trevor Ariza made major contributions (the latter combining with Lamar Odom to force a critical fourth quarter inbound turnover), but the biggest force was Kobe Bryant.  41 points on 12-24 shooting to compliment fifteen freebies dropped, six rebounds, five assists, and a steal.  Dude looked like he was about to collapse during his postgame interview with Doris Burke.  I was really worried one more follow up question would have killed the poor guy. 

It cannot be overstated how big it is forcing Denver to hope for a split in their town.  All the pressure is on Denver while the Lakers play with house money.  As I said to intern Benicio Del Interno, this was the hoops equivalent of a "coup."

More to come later

AK 

More last minute X's and O's from Scouts Inc.'s Mike Moreau (click and read, it's well worth it) who has the Nuggets winning Game 3.  Just as it was when the Lakers hit Houston for Game 3 of the last series, they'll be facing a team playing its biggest game for the home fans in years.  They (meaning the crowd and the team) will be fired up.  The Lakers have to match the intensity early or the hole could be deep, and coming back against the Nuggets is no easy task.  The Lakers, if they're smart and aggressive, could use Denver's extra energy against them, especially if the Nuggets are so jacked up that they get a little sloppy.  It happens. 

All season long, the Lakers have responded to big tests.  A win Saturday would be fantastic, but even a repeat of Game 2, meaning something tightly contested to the end, keeps the series on the same track.

Chat box below.

BK