A good night’s sleep was had by all in Lakerland for the first time in … ?
Well, Friday night was the first time since December 22 — yes, 40 days and 40 nights — that the Lakers won a road game, defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 111-100.
Off to the D now. Good win tonight. The zone broke up our grove a lil bit but nothing we can’t figure out. On to the next one. #magicmamba
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) February 2, 2013
So what are we to make of this Lakers team that slowly, steadily seems to be starting to surge — even with Dwight Howard out of the lineup with a strained shoulder (or a torn labrum which may need season-ending surgery, depending on who you want to believe) for which he received platelet rich plasma therapy?
The Lakers are now two games into their seven-game, pre-All Star Grammy road trip that moves on to five Eastern Conference cities — Detroit, Brooklyn, Boston, Charlotte and Miami.
They are still five games under .500, and from all appearances they (and thew Blazers) will be chasing Houston and Utah for the final two playoff spots in the West. (Sixth place is held by the Nuggets, winners of six straight, who are now a dozen games over .500).
Their total of road wins now stands at six — one more than the Bobcats, if that helps Lakers fans feel any better.
Can they catch up?
No, says T.J. Simers of the L.A. Times, always a must-read (but especially when he travels on long road trips with the team).
Alek Samm says
I’m reluctant to stick up for D’Antoni but he is right. Embarrasing as it is, they walked out w/ the W. That’s all that matters. The only reason why it’s a big deal that the Lakers blew that lead is it’s because it’s the Lakers. If it had been reversed, and the T-Wolves had held on for the win and won by 10 after being up 30 points, they’d be praised for holding on and getting it done and then the Lakers would be torched for getting down by 30.
The Lakers (along with other high profile, big superstar teams) will always have high expectations which makes people (at times) overly critical of them.