Derek Fisher and the Los Angeles Lakers are rolling again, having won four straight, and tonight face a team they already have a prolonged winning streak against.
The Lakers return from the road tonight to host the Oklahoma City Thunder, against whom they have won 11 straight, including twice this season.
Derek went for nine points in the first meeting, a 101-98 overtime win for the Lakers. He hauled in four rebounds in the win while dishing out two assists. Almost a month later, the teams met up again, and while Fish was a little lighter in the scoring column, with just four points, he once again grabbed four rebounds and tossed out two assists.
His defense on point guard Russell Westbrook, keeping the pesky point guard four points under his scoring average, has been crucial in both wins.
After tonight, the Lakers don’t face the Thunder again until March 26.
DEREK’S FAVORITE
Yesterday D-Fish did a chat with fans for the launch of ESPN.com’s new regional website, ESPNLosAngeles.com.
During the chat someone asked Fish which clutch shot he’s made was more memorable: his 0.4 against the Spurs in the 2004 playoffs, which ESPN ranked as the 18th most memorable moment in playoff history, or his three pointers against the Magic last year.
Fish’s fondest memory is from last year because of what the win meant in the grand scheme of things:
"I think anything you do in the Finals to impact games and help your team win ranks higher than anything else. That’s the ultimate stage in pro basketball. We won that game. We’ve always loved hearing about 0.4 and what happened and how great it was for fans, but we lost in the Finals that year. So, I don’t have the fondest memories of that season. So, the threes in Orlando."
To check out the rest of the chat, in which D-Fish dishes on clutch Lakers, playing on Christmas and team chemistry, click here.
NEXT UP
D-Fish leads the Lakers tonight against young nemesis Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Tip off is at 7:30 p.m. PST and can be seen on Fox West.
RELATED ARTICLES
Oklahoma City Thunder-Los Angeles Lakers Preview (ESPN.com, Dec. 22, 2009)
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/preview?gameId=291222013
Power Poll: Lakers Back on Top (The Sporting News, Dec 21, 2009)
http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/The_Baseline/entry/view/48572/power_poll_lakers_back_on_top_