Lakers Expect Spurs to Come Out Strong

In the LOS ANGELES TIMES, Mike Bresnahan writes "the Lakers eventually could advance to the NBA Finals, though they're expecting the Spurs to approach tonight's Game 2 like, you know, defending champions. The Lakers showed up for Thursday's practice with equal parts enthusiasm and realism, knowing they somehow fell 20 points behind the Spurs in Game 1 but also happy to have scored an 89-85 body blow Wednesday in the opener of the Western Conference finals. Still, there are reasons the Spurs have won four of the last nine NBA championships. 'They're going to keep coming,' Kobe Bryant said. 'They're hungry to get a back-to-back [title]. I don't see Game 1 lingering into Game 2. I think they'll be ready to go.'" [link]