Back in the 2009 NBA finals, the Los Angeles Lakers closed out the Orlando Magic in Game 5 on the road. Last playoffs on their way to the finals, the Lakers closed out Oklahoma City, Utah and Phoenix all on the road.
Thursday night, they are back in that situation — they can close out the New Orleans Hornets in New Orleans Arena. The Lakers are up 3-2 in their first round series and the only thing between them and the second round is Chris Paul. Which is no small obstacle.
By Game 6 of a playoff series there are no more tricks, no more adjustments, no more surprises. You know your opponent, they know you. It’s a matter of execution.
For the Hornets, that means a lot of Chris Paul — in the two games the Hornets have won in this series, he simply has been superhuman. When he has been merely human – 20 points and 12 assists in Game 5, for example — they have lost. Look for Paul to be aggressive on the pick-and-roll and try to tear up the Lakers defense again.
With Kobe Bryant’s still sore ankle, Paul will get less of the potentially-disruptive Kobe and more Derek Fisher and Steve Blake. Look for Ron Artest to get time guarding Paul if he gets hot.
Bryant’s ankle looked good on dunks when he was diving right at the rim in Game 5, but his lateral movement was decidedly slower. Phil Jackson said his ankle is still not 100 percent. Paul right now would eat him alive. Look for the Hornets to attack Kobe until he proves he can defend.
For the Lakers, the equation is simple — pound the ball inside and use your size and skill advantage up front. Really, this is the recipe for every Lakers playoff series, every regular season game and so on. But the Lakers still are more than willing to get away from it. Pau Gasol had his best game in Game 5, matching the physicality of New Orleans, look for him to try and establish that again.
If the Lakers can defend and create turnovers, if they stick with their game plan, they will win and close out on the road again. That is, unless the superhuman Paul shows up again. In which case the traveling parties can get back on a plane bound for Los Angeles and a deciding Game 7 Saturday.