2008 NBA Playoffs: Conference Finals, Los Angeles Lakers vs. San Antonio Spurs, Game 3
Information about game 3 of the L.A. Lakers vs. San Antonio Spurs series in the 2008 NBA Playoffs, with score, recap, pictures, stats, highlights, quotes and Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol performance.
2008 NBA Playoffs Conference Finals |
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GAME 3: L.A. Lakers 84 - San Antonio Spurs 103Ginobili's recovery is bad news for the Lakers |
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May 25, 2008 - AT&T CENTER, SAN ANTONIO. After his dissappearing act in the first two games of the series, Manu Ginobili returned home, got some rest and put the Spurs on his shoulders to lead them to a 103-84 win and keep their hopes alive in the Western Conference Finals. Ginobili made 5 of 7 three-pointers and converted all 7 of his free throws. He had 22 of his 30 points as the Spurs built a 49-39 halftime lead. With the Lakers up 15-8 six minutes into the game, Manu made his first two 3-pointers to put the Spurs within one. With 7 minutes to go in the first half, he made the second of another set of back-to-back threes and the Spurs took the lead for good (33-30). After scoring 17 points in the previous 2 games, Manu netted 14 in the second quarter where San Antonio outscored L.A. 28-15. Up 69-57 entering the fourth, the Spurs opened with a 12-4 run, and Parker’s layup gave them a 20-point lead with 7:37 minutes to play. After that, in a span of 2 1/2 minutes, Kobe Bryant, who had 30 points, scored 12 with 4 three-pointers to close the gap to 12 points, 76-88, but it was the closer the Lakers would get. L.A.'s defense was almost non-existent like in most of the game and the Spurs easily retook the control. Uncharacteristicaly, the Lakers offense was completely diconnected after a first quarter they won 24-21. Kobe was averaging 6.8 assists in these playoffs but ended with one, and Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol missed uncountable easy baskets. Odom had 11 rebounds and 6 assists but he made just 2 of 11 shots and had 7 points. Gasol scored 15 but was 7 for 18 from the field. Derek Fisher had 2 points in 29 minutes. Jordan Farmar added 10 points. As a team, the Lakers made just 8 of 17 free throws and had 13 assists and 13 turnovers. Tim Duncan ended with 22 points, 21 rebounds and 5 assists, and Tony Parker added 20 points and 5 assists for the Spurs. Both teams remain unbeaten at home this postseason. The Lakers lead the series 2-1. Game 4 is Tuesday in San Antonio. The Spurs avoided falling into an 0-3 hole, situation from where no NBA team has ever recover. |
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The QuotesPhil Jackson (LAL coach): "I think it was summed up by (consultant) Tex Winter's wife, who said simply, 'That wasn't very much fun, was it?'" Gregg Popovich (Spurs coach): "Manu is such a competitor. He puts so much on his shoulders, he fights through a lot of things... He’s got a lot of confidence in what he can do. And so when he has these games, it is really not a surprise anymore." Derek Fisher (Lakers): "We have to improve a great deal before Tuesday night in order to slow some of that offensive rhythm down." Kobe Bryant (Lakers): "“He (Ginobili) bounced back the way I thought he would, he is a phenomenal player and he had a spectacular first half."... “It’s a good experience for us to play against the defending champs and have them kick our butts the way they did. I think we grew up a lot (tonight), we have to understand the sense of urgency and type of energy that we have to play with and come back on Tuesday ready to do that."... "The shots they (Odom and Gasol) normally make didn't fall for them tonight. I don't think it is something they should get too discouraged about." Lamar Odom (Lakers): "There's no way I can play like that for us to be successful, I'll take the blame on that. I know I can play better than that." |
Highlights
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