The Hawks flight plan lands them at Staples

Coming off a stunning loss from the Spurs the Lakers are still trying to find their identity. They still have something to prove to the world and themselves as they face the new look Hawks. Al Horfofd is the only remaining Hawk from the ATL team that had high hopes of going deep in the playoffs the last couple of years. He's joined by Kyle Korver the 3 point assassin or as I call him " The vampire Ashton Kutcher", Paul Milsap who I've hated since his Utah days because he's just that good, and  a handful of other guys I don't know from Adam.
Early Sunday afternoon we get word that the X Factor is getting the start in place of Nick Young. Coach D is  showing lots of faith in X due to his play in the preseason and recent surges of energy. There is always a  risk with switching starters. But, he thinks Swaggy P can be more of an asset coming of the bench while battling some shooting woes these last few games.

The game gets underway and X drives for a layup to put the Lakers on the board. The defense looks a little slow unlike the Spurs game, but the offense is clicking on all cylinders. Pau Gasol host a 3 from the arc which is becoming quite common as of late. Players are gonna have to start coming out on him and respecting that jumper! At the 6min Mark Sawggy P checks in with a pull up deuce looking like he hadn't missed a beat. The Lakers are on fire! They go on a 21-7 run with 4min to go in the quarter. The Steve's have 8 assists between them. The ball movement is great....wait..is that...Elton Brand?????? He's still alive?? Moving on..the Lakers end the quarter leading by 11. Pau again leads the way with 7 points and 6 boards on top of 7 fast break points.

Swaggy P gets to start the 2nd quarter along with the Caveman and the Lakers pick up right where they left off. But Kaman picked up his 3rd foul with 10:58 to go and has to sit. Insert  Mr Energy...The Garbage Man..Jordan Hill!!! The Lakers are running on all cylinders. Hill is crashing the boards on both ends. Swaggy P even has a few assists and Meeks is lighting it up from the outside. Again our defense isn't as solid as the previous game, but we are so on fire the lead has stretched to 17. True to form Korver hits a three to end the half and we head to the lockeroom up by 13. Young has 9points and 3 assists in 11minutes. Our guards have 13 assists and no turnovers! We are shooting 53% from the field and 66% from behind the arc. Al Horford leads the ALT with 10/10. X and Pau both have 9. Both teams are pretty even on the boards. If the Lakers can keep this pace they are on track for an easy win.
Pau opens the quarter with a slam dunk over two Hawks!!! Yes you read that right:Pau.

But our third quarter woes continue and the defense continue use to slip. Our offensee is cooling off a bit as we go down to 49% from the field. But Wesley Johnson is coming alive and has his hand on every defensive possession.

Kaman is back in and he's racking up assists to follow Nash who has 11! I think he had his Suns jersey on under his uniform for luck.

The lead had gotten down to two but the Lakers are relentless. By the end of the third the bench true to form had 40points, 19 rebounds,and 10 assists. We lead by 12 shooting 50% from the field and from beyond the arc. 12 more minutes of the same and we are home free......
The 4th and final period gets underway and the Hawks come out with tons of energy. We look sleepy and open the period with two quick turnovers. Korver has heated up from three and has a smooth 16 points. Who would EVER leave him open?? The Lakers are making shots but the Hawks are remaining dangerously close. The Lakers just can't seem to pull away. The very next play the 30 year old rookie from Germany, Schroeder goes on for a layup and Dantoni is pissed! The lead is down to 7!! With 9:42 left Kaman picks up his 5th foul and in comes the backboard assassin Jordan Hill. He comes in and makes a quick layup giving the Lakers a spark.  This dude needs to be playing at least 15-20 minutes a game. Nonetheless ALT won't go away. They are now on a 14-4 run are are the closest they've been all  night with 7:09 to go they are only down 5. Shawn Williams and Wesley Johnson both have 5 fouls and before I could finish writing that stat Williams fouls Milsap for and " And 1." It's now a two point game with 3:26 to go. X drives to the basket and draws the foul. He sinks them both to put us up4 with 2:10 to go. Pau duplicates that same play and steps to the line. I said to myself I said " Self, believe in Pau at the line. He knows we need this win self." But true to form Pau " make one miss one Gasol" does just that. We're up by 5. One the other end Teague blows right thru the lane for a layup! Pau who must be channelling his inner  Kobe is in take over mode. He bricks a layup but the clean up man Jordan Hill commands the board, draws the foul, and sinks BOTH free throws.

That folks would prove to be one of the best plays of  the game...But no celebrating yet. Korver pulls up from what seemed to be the scorers table and drains a 3!!!! This dude is PERFECT from three tonite and you leave him open down the stretch???? He's the Hawks Reggie Miller!!! Why would Blake rotate to Martin and leave him open???? Uggggggggggg I feel like I'm gonna be sick. On Atlanta's next possession they get a silly back court violation much needed for the Lakers. We need all the help we can get. X pulls up for a jumper but we come up empty. On the other end Milsap hits a jumper to tie the score with 30secs left!!!! At that moment my inner being is in the corner rocking back and forth singing Deborah Coxs " How did youuuuuu get here???"....We had this game in the bag! I can't Believe we are tied!!!!! Lakers ball. Pau is still feelin himself and misses a jumper but Jordan Hill cleans the glass and dishes back to Nash. That play could also be the one that sealed our fate. Nash dishes back to Pau who heads to the lane with a dribble drive only to be met by Milsap who tries to draw the foul. Pau looses  the ball falling on top of Milsap and Jordan Hill recovers for the layup! The crowd goes wild but the whistle blows: no basket. The refs now meet mid court to discuss the previous play. Was Milsap in the restricted area before Pau arrived? We're his feet set? It could go either way. If he gets the call the Hawks have the ball and it could be over. Everyone  is on pins and needles as we watch the replay about 50 times. His feet clearly were not set but the refs are in control and they make the game go however they want....especially if you're playing the Heat..ok that's another blog, where was I? Yes...the Jeopardy theme song is playing in my head as we are still awaiting the verdict.... Blocking foul is called and Pau goes to the line with 6.0 to play. I'm thinking come on Pau...the basketball gods could not be this cruel. We neeeeeeeeeeeeeed this win....We neeeeeeeeeeeeeed BOTH these free throws. Show me why you are a 4time All Star....he steps to the line..does his trademark blow in the hands.....and SINKS. THEM.BOTH. Put your kids to sleep because PG16 is in the building!!!!!!!!!! Lakers up by two. ATL inbounds the ball and we all know who it's going too. Stevie Wonder can see they are setting up Korver for the win. He looses Blake for the 56th time tonite and pulls up for the three....But up in the sky..it's a bird..it's a plane....no..it's the Spaniard!!!! Pau meets him In the air for the block and this one is in the books!

It was an ugly win, but I'll take it and I'm sure Dantoni and the bunch are with me. The only stat that shows in the column is the W. We fought for it tooth and nail and when it mattered most we pulled through. This team is  just like Novocaine....give it time.....it will work. See you Tuesday!!!