Lakers Must Ignore the Whistle-Blowers

The Lakers accomplished what they wanted in splitting the first two games of the series at Sacramento’s Arco Arena and now they get a couple of days of much-needed rest before Game 3, which will be played Friday at Staples Center.

In Sacramento’s Game 2 victory Monday, the Lakers had a tough time matching the Kings’ energy level, especially on defense. Sacramento was able to take advantage of a couple of matchups and played more aggressively than the Lakers.

The Kings probably shouldn’t count on having a 23-5 edge in free throws in the first half of Game 3 as they did in Game 2 Monday. Although the Lakers hurt themselves by missing numerous open shots, Sacramento did a good job of attacking and playing help defense in Game 2. That’s the reason why they won.

A breakdown of Game 3:

LAKERS’ MOVE--In Game 2, the Lakers allowed the officials to take them out of the game. Once Shaquille O’Neal and his teammates decided that the officiating wasn’t fair, they lost some of their intensity. The Lakers should have known better.

Although the Kings held the Lakers to 90 points Monday, Sacramento didn’t completely shut down the Lakers. Except for a bad shooting stretch at the start of the third quarter and some poor free-throw shooting late in the fourth, O’Neal dominated the Kings. Chances are he’ll do more of the same Friday if he can stay out of foul trouble.

Robert Horry had a career playoff high with 20 rebounds in Game 2 but he wasn’t much of a factor on offense. After a strong scoring game to open the series, Horry didn’t have the same drive Monday. Instead of always looking to make a three-point shot, it may be time for Horry to drive the lane and throw down a dunk. That would shake up the Kings’ clutching defense in the paint.

The Laker perimeter players not only shot the ball poorly in Game 2, they also seemed a little sluggish on defense. Too often they got caught in screens and were late to recover on jump shots. The three-day rest between games should help players such as Derek Fisher, Rick Fox and Horry, who spent a lot of energy on defense.

KINGS’ MOVE--Jumping out to a double-digit lead late in the third quarter carried the Kings in Game 2 because they certainly didn’t close strongly. Chris Webber and Hedo Turkoglu missed 10 of 13 free throws and Sacramento scored only 20 points in the fourth quarter.

Whenever the Lakers went with their second unit, which features Devean George and Samaki Walker, the Kings’ all-around execution improved. Webber and Vlade Divac were more effective inside, which opened things up more for Sacramento’s perimeter players.

If Peja Stojakovic returns to Sacramento’s lineup after missing the first two games because of an ankle injury, the Kings will be even deeper. Turkoglu is more comfortable coming off the bench, where he probably will be matched against George instead of Fox.

The Kings have gotten strong backcourt play from Mike Bibby and Bobby Jackson, who have combined for 77 points in the series.

KEY POINT--In Game 2, the Kings were more effective when they took a page out of the Laker book and collapsed to the middle on defense. Perimeter players such as Doug Christie and Bibby backed off the players they were defending to help on O’Neal inside. This tactic worked because the Laker perimeter players missed their shots from the outside and didn’t move well without the ball.

Don’t expect Sacramento to have it that easy Friday night.

The Lakers are not the best three-point shooting team in the league, but they are not the worst either.

Look for Fisher, Fox, Horry and George, who combined to miss 13 of 15 from behind the arc Monday, to shoot better on the Laker-friendly Staples Center rims.