Lakers-Spurs game 4

This game was important for both teams, at the end of the night the series would either be tied 2-2 putting the pressure on the Lakers or 3-1 and putting the series in serious doubts for the Spurs. The Lakers started off hot during a Spurs drought early in the game, where the Lakers lead by as much as 14 points. The Spurs fought valiantly through the drought, and made it a 6 point game by half-time. In the second half it was tight the whole way through, yet everytime the Spurs had a chance to take the lead, they either missed the shot or turned the ball over. Once again Duncan was Duncan(29 points, 17 rebounds), Kobe was Kobe(28 points, 10 rebounds), Tony was Tony( 23 points, 9 assists)and Pau was Pau(10 points, 10 rebounds). The stars off the bench tonight were Brent Barry who played out his gourd(a career playoff best 23 points with 5-12 shooting from deep) and Luke Walton who had his first good game this series(9 timely points and 5 rebounds). But for Manu Ginobli, he could not match his game 3 heroics, finishing a dismal 2-7 from the field but added 7 assists. With one minute to go, the Lakers were up 7 and on the free-throw line, and collapsed; Gasol missed both free throws, Manu hit a huge three and Tony Parker got off on a fast-break where Odom was called for goaltending. Thats what leads us to this.

Here is what Brent Barry had to say after the game

"That play..was not where the game was lost...That's not going to get called in the Western Conference finals...Maybe in the regular season. But that call shouldn't be called in the Western Conference finals."

Greg Popovich added

"It wasn't a foul... I think it was a proper no-call from what I saw."

Fisher said he

"never thought they would blow a whistle."

"I think we met simultaneously, and there was contact for sure," Fisher said. "But I don't think I ran through him."

They were all wrong, Crawford should have called the foul. I think the spurs just knew what we all knew, the Lakers were better tonight.But Crawford should of reset the clock the play before, when Derek Fisher shot the ball. It may have looked like an airball but it definately skimmed the rim. If they reset the clock , there wouldn't of been a last second shot for the spurs, the Lakers would have run out the clock and there would be no controversy. Just like every other NBA game, the bad calls even themselves out, there is no need to focus on just one.

Overall the Spurs and Lakers played a terrific game, and this was the first time the Spurs had lost at home this postseason. The series moves back to LA, where the Lakers are 7-0 this postseason, the Lakers lead the series 3-1.

For those who don't feel like reading, here is the hi-light.





Game 5 is Thursday night on TNT at 9.