Whoa. This is my first time writing in such a great blog as this. Thanks, Daniel.

Anyways. Who cares? Let’s go to the keys for tonight’s game. By the way, nice game by the Pistons.

For the Lakers : Game 3 is history. And as Fisher said it, “hold on to some of that frustration, some of that resentment that you have for the opponent… but you let go of the fact that you lost a game”.

• Get the Triangle going – One thing I’ve noticed in Game 3 was that the Lakers were rushing shots that they wouldn’t necessarily take. They were so down in a big hole that they tried to make things happen by taking quick shots. The beauty of the Triangle is in its passing; stretching patience until someone is open or has a good look. The Lakers only had 13 assists in Game 3, much, much different than Game 1 (18) and Game 2 (20).
• Defense, LA, Defense – Another thing I’ve noticed was that the Lakers’ energy in Games 1&2 was not showing up. Prior to Game 3, they were holding SA to 37.5% shooting especially in the 3-pt line ( 25.6%). They were averaging 7.5 steals and 6.5 blocks, compared to Game 3’s 5 steals and ZERO block performance.
• The Fish-Odom Factor : Game 3 was , as Simon puts it, “utterly horrendous” for Lamar and Fish. They were the game-changer in Game 2, but were a no-show in San Antonio. They combined for 9 points in Game 3, a big step back from Game 2′s 31 points. I say let Fisher and Odom be the aggressors in tonight’s game early.

For the Spurs : Game 3 was a nice comeback and they probably slept soundly after that. But take note : Manu has already played his best game of the series and will probably slow down in the next few games. I just don’t see him eating “Kobe beans” and turning into a superman. Good news is, Tony Parker and Tim Duncan are still there. And oh, for ages’ sake, let’s put Oberto, Finley, Horry, and Barry on the conversation.

• Contain Kobe – Kobe is shooting over 50% in this series and is averaging 26.3 ppg. That’s bad news for Bowen and co. I say they try to put different faces on Kobe and try to double-team him at least once in a while, in that way, you could slow him down. And for the record, be close to God and just pray that he has an off-night (works most of the time).
• More Tony, please – Tony Parker has been a shadow behind Tim Duncan and Ginobili. I would like to see the Tony Parker who is a genius at home : He averages 26ppg on 52.13% shooting and dishes out 7.2 apg compared to 19.88ppg on 45.65% shooting while dishing out 5.25apg at the road.
• The Manu factor – Although I’ve told you that he won’t be playing better than he did in Game 3, I still think he will be the game-changer of the series. He will probably getting easy shots from time to time, so I suggest that he takes advantage of it. If you’re Manu, feel the game first, then try to adjust and just let the game come to you.

That’s it and I’ll be seeing you tomorrow on the Game 4 Live Blog of the Spurs-Lakers Western Conference Finals at 9:00 PM Eastern Time.

Until then.