The Los Angeles Lakers blew a 16 point lead to the Dallas Mavericks in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semi-final series on Monday. This is the kind of loss that can stick with a team for a while, but it will haunt their fanbase forever. Our Lakers blog, Silver Screen and Roll, are having a touch time swallowing this one.
The Lakers almost got away with it. They very nearly escaped Game One with a victory despite no-shows from a few of their key guys and sloppy execution from the rest. Unfortunately, the Dallas Mavericks are not the New Orleans Hornets. They play with a skilled precision befitting their German star, and they're plenty good enough to punish the Lakers when the latter succumb to their worst habits.
On the other hand, our Mavericks blog Mavs Money Ball is one cloud nine, but they also realize that this does not win them the series, and that they still have a lot of work to do.
If only you knew how hard I was shaking as I wrote the final paragraph... you would be so impressed that I even managed to finish this recap.
This series isn't over, not by a long shot. But the Lakers lost home court advantage, and a good chance to take control of the series early. It isn't over, but it is a lot more interesting.