For Lakers, decisive victory could indicate good things

This is a good way to prepare for Boston, win big to end a dreadful road trip. For the Lakers, there four game road trip turned out shoddy. First losing, at Miami, following Orlando, then barely escaping Memphis with a late run to snap a two game losing streak.

But, the biggest win and the best win came against the New Orleans Hornets on Tuesday night. The Lakers didn’t need a buzzard beater attempt by Kobe Bryant, nor a comeback, in a comfortable 101-87 victory.

It’s a win the Lakers needed traveling back home for the Christmas showdown. It’s a road victory that should have the Lakers feeling good, beating a top-tier team in the West. With, the win they improve to 16-1 against West opponents. But, beating East opponents still remains a problem. A record of 6-4 against East opponents have shot the Lakers down, and if they’re having trouble beating inferior East opponents, then it’s difficult to figure they’re ready to beat their biggest test this season, the Boston Celtics.

On a positive note, rhythmic and momentum influenced the Lakers dominance over the Hornets. With rhythm and momentum making notoriety in the final game of a four-game road trip, it might have indicated signs of good things to come throughout the season. It’s a performance the Lakers need if they strongly anticipate beating the Celtics.

The Lakers could send a statement with a win over the Celtics, and at the same time, they’re seeking redemption, after last year’s demolition in the finals. This game couldn’t have come at a better time. The Celtics are riding a 19th game winning streak, while the Lakers appeared to have broken out of a potential slump.

This game was definitely one of their greatest performances this season. Their defensive futility no longer lingered and their high-intensity offense still remained intact, after there was no sunshine for the Lakers in the sunshine state, getting swept by both Florida teams, and barely cruised their way out of Memphis with a victory.

It wasn’t a vacation. Instead it was hard labor. The league’s reigning Most Valuable Player became the league’s Most Thriving Player, scoring a season-high 41 points at Orlando, missing a game-tying shot both times in Florida as time expired.

Most impressively, the Lakers held the Hornets to 37 first-half points, a team that won their last 11 of its 13 games entering the contest on Tuesday night, crushing the Hornets just as bad as the Celtics last year in the sixth game of the finals. The Lakers held them to just 37.5 percent shooting in the first half. The Lakers dominating the Hornets was overwhelming and uplifting, seeing them perform up to their capabilities.

It’s the kind of performance expected each night by the Lakers, if they expect to win Boston or the championship this year. This confidence booster is a way the Lakers can build upon beating Boston on Christmas. It’s a way to gain conception on what it takes to beat the defending champs, and propels earnestness for their biggest game marked on their calendar one day from now.

For a difference, Bryant was able to play with ease late in the game when the Lakers had the game locked in the suitcase, and ready to depart to the airport. Bryant scored 26 points, six rebounds, along with four assist. Last night, homecoming wasn’t too friendly to Pau Gasol, returning to Memphis for the first time since the trade. Usually home welcomes back beloved individuals, but in this case, staying far distance from home works for Gasol. He scored a highly effective 20 points on eight-for-10 shooting.

It looks as if the Lakers are in good position, entering a big showdown against Boston. Uh! The Lakers-Celtics rivalry is next, and the Lakers seem as if they are ready for the test after a night of consistency.