Defensive Tempo Is Key

Because strategy is often as important as talent, the team that makes the best adjustments between games usually earns the title of NBA champion. The Lakers were able to survive a tough road battle in Game 3 to take a 2-1 lead Sunday and now it’s up to the Philadelphia 76ers to make the right moves to keep from going two games down. A breakdown entering tonight’s Game 4:

76ERS’ MOVE--Dikembe Mutombo has been singled out as a flopper by the Lakers’ Shaquille O’Neal and the question is how Philadelphia Coach Larry Brown responds. He has to decide how to play O’Neal, who made things difficult on the 76ers by making eight of nine free throws in Game 3.

O’Neal is nearly unstoppable one on one, and when he is making his free throws it only adds to the opponents’ dilemma. It may be better for the 76ers to double-team Shaq early and make him pass outside. By doing that, though, Philadelphia would give Kobe Bryant and the rest of the Lakers a chance to get off to a fast start.

Even so, this tactic may be the most effective because O’Neal tends to play more passively when double-teamed. In Game 3, the 76ers opened by playing the Lakers straight up and O’Neal and Bryant got off to strong starts, and Philadelphia had to play from behind the rest of the game.

When the 76ers won Game 1, they led for most of the game. They are a better team playing with the lead. Look for Brown to pull Tyrone Hill at power forward if he is not producing points or rebounds. With a small lineup, the 76ers are able to use full-court pressure defense against the Lakers, who tend to turn over the ball when things get tight.

The key for Philadelphia, of course, is Allen Iverson, but he cannot keep settling for quick jump shots. He has made only seven of 24 three-point shots, only four of 16 since Game 1. He has to continue to drive, then be willing to pull up for mid-range shots. The rest of the 76ers have to take the Lakers off the dribble and Mutombo should be a go-to player more if the Lakers continue to trap Iverson above the three-point line.

LAKERS’ MOVE--Coach Phil Jackson had to go to his bench more in Game 3 because Derek Fisher and O’Neal were in foul trouble and the fresh legs seemed to help the Lakers down the stretch. Bryant has been playing at a high level on both ends of the court after looking tired in the Lakers’ Game 1 overtime loss. One reason is because he hasn’t handled the ball as much to beat the 76ers’ full-court pressure. This has helped save his legs.

Veteran Horace Grant hasn’t had much of a series but he still does little things to help the Lakers win. He has done an outstanding job of keeping Philadelphia’s offside forwards from attacking the offensive boards. Although Grant has only 18 points and 17 rebounds in three games, he has played smart.

Since Game 1, Laker point guards Fisher and Tyronn Lue have made the 76ers play the Lakers’ game. They don’t have to be big-time scorers but they have to continue to get into the lane with the ball on offense because that helps wear down Iverson. Fisher’s strength and toughness, and Lue’s speed and quickness, have given Iverson fits. He no longer attacks them the instant he doesn’t see a double-team and his hesitation has helped the Lakers’ half-court defense.

OVERLOOKED--What has made the Lakers so tough to beat in the playoffs has been their killer instinct. Philadelphia is tough and plays with passion but the 76ers don’t put teams away as the Lakers do. So far, Jackson’s team has responded to the challenge and now is within reach of delivering the knockout punch. Even Brown knows that the 76ers don’t have enough firepower to win three in succession over Los Angeles.

The pressure is on Philadelphia, and that’s why the Lakers will take the court tonight with a decided edge. They know the 76ers thrived early in the series in their underdog role but now they are down and have to play scared. There’s a big difference, and expect the Lakers to take full advantage.