Is this what we've been waiting for?

For the first time this month the Lakers won consecutive games, a pretty pathetic stat, as they defeated Sacramento 117-106 to clinch the seventh spot in the West and a rematch with the Phoenix Suns. After a promising start to the season the Lakers stumbled down the stretch barely making it into the playoffs. I, like many Lakers fans, thought there was plenty to build off of last years playoffs even though they did blow a 3-1 series lead. As I stated earlier this season I would be disappointed if we didn't make it out of the first round of the playoffs and it looked like I would be disappointed to end the season.

But I did see some hope last night, albeit it was against the second stringers of Sacramento. The Lakers finished with over 70 points in the paint, the highest total this season, and something they will need if they want to upset the Suns. Kobe got his with 34, and locked up the scoring title for the 2nd year in a row, becoming the first LA Laker to ever accomplish the feat, George Mikan did it in Minneapolis, but the pleasant surprise was the play of Kwame Brown's 17 points which included 7-8 from the field and 3-3 from the line. We will need that type of play from him and Andrew Bynum if we are to even make it a difficult series for Phoenix.

Jordan Farmar got the start for the 2nd consecutive game and we will have to wait and see if Phil will go to him again on Sunday. The interesting thing about the season series with the Suns is that the only Laker win was without Kobe on opening night. The Lakers started out slow that day and I was expecting a blowout as I was in attendance only to be pleasantly surprised by the comeback that was made. This team has had to deal with numerous injuries throughout the course of the season and has not been able to turn back into the cohesive unit that started the season so strongly. They still haven't been able to put it together as a whole the past few weeks but hopefully yesterday gives them the confidence necessary to put it together for this series. I doubt it but I can keep hope alive.