By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
After helping the Los Angeles Lakers tie the best-of-seven series against the Phoenix Suns, Marc Gasol shifts his focus on Game 3 coming up Thursday at Staples Center. Apart from fully committing to the next challenge of the 2021 NBA Playoffs, he also remembered the previous Lakers postseason home game he attended.
“I think the last one I was in was Game 7 against the Celtics. That ended up pretty good,” he said following Wednesday’s practice referring to Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals, “I remember the game and remember after the game too. It was a pretty good night, rough morning though.”
His brother, Pau, had 19 points, 18 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks in the championship-clinching affair. His Memphis Grizzlies did not make the playoffs that year but went on with seven consecutive postseason berths with the Spanish center among the key leaders.
Gasol, 36, had played in 94 playoff contests before his first with the Lakers on Tuesday. His tally included 35 appearances with the Raptors and the 2019 championship. This season, he was among the adjustments made from Game 1 to Game 2 earning 20 minutes of playing time in the 109-102 victory after not playing in Game 1. He logged six points, two rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
“In the playoffs, it does not help you to think about the consequences. I think the more experienced you are, the more you understand that. You stay in the moment. It’s the playoffs,” he mentioned regarding falling behind 2-0 with a Game 2 loss, “I like the way the team is growing. I like the mindset.”
The next two games of the series will be in Los Angeles with the Lakers looking to protect the home-court advantage gained in Game 2.
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