Unlike previous seasons where the Los Angeles Lakers were battling in mid-June for championships, this roster was ousted in the second-round of the post-season. Although the season was cut short for Los Angeles, that doesn’t mean there were not thrilling games.
The 66-game schedule was a grueling test for the players, but it also gave fans the chance to watch exciting games more often. The Lakers had their fair share of intense games and here is out take on the top ten Lakers game of the 2011-12 NBA season.
10: Lakers-92 Nuggets-89, December 31, 2011
The Los Angeles Lakers played their fourth game of the season against the Denver Nuggets and it was the first game for Andrew Bynum of 2011-12. Bynum returned from his four-game suspension and he helped the Lakers with a 29 point, 13 rebounds performance.
The game was close throughout and neither team was able to open up a big lead. In the final minutes of the game, Kobe Bryant made clutch plays to regain the lead and put away the Nuggets. However, the Lakers caught a major break when Danilo Gallinari blew a wide-open layup, which led to Lakers’ free-throws which iced the game.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoNd4OLtSxo
9: Lakers-93 Hornets-91, April 9, 2012
The Los Angeles Lakers headed down to the Big Easy without Kobe Bryant to play the struggling Hornets. Bryant missed the game due to a shin injury, and the Lakers had trouble winning the game. Los Angeles faced a large deficit in the fourth quarter, but the team showed poise in the final period.
The Lakers went on an incredible 15-2 run and their big men dominated the final minutes. Pau Gasol finished the game with 25 points and nine rebounds while Bynum put in 18 points and 11 rebounds.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyXv_EyxdC8
Next Page: Games 8 and 7