You got to hand it to the Nuggets.

On Monday and Tuesday, they said they would be concentrating on defense. It worked, at least I think it worked. According to the evidence, it technically did. In Game One they gave up 128 points. In Game Two, they gave up 122 points...so they clamped down and allowed six fewer points! Any legitimate playoff contender that gives up 122 points in any postseason game (if that is the lowest point total they have surrendered to the opponent), has a big problem.

In the first game of this series, the star of the game was Pau Gasol. He overshadowed Kobe Bryant. Not so much last night. On Wednesday, Bryant scored 49 points. He had 20 points in the first quarter. Rather impressive, that is, until you consider this: He scored 19 in the last 4:19 of the fourth quarter. George Karl actually used the word rather "undefendable" when discussing Bryant's game when his jump shot is on. The Nuggets played better last night, but you get the feeling that the disparity--not in talent--though, instead, in teamwork, might be the deciding factor.

A sign of great team play is a team's ability and willingness to pass...The Lakers passing on Sunday, just like the NBA used to say about itself in the 1980s, was fantastic. The performance of Gasol on Sunday was due in part to his stellar ability, though the ability of his teammates to get him easy baskets off of great passes was also a factor. Just tell me this? Who on the Nuggets passes well? Who on the Nuggets even likes passing? Two questions as well as a two-nothing edge for the Lakers.

See you on Friday morning.

-"z"