Good win by the Lakers...that slow reacting Spurs defense helped quite a bit.
The losses on back-to-backs is a common theme in the Spurs losses this year. 8 of their losses have been on the second night of a b2b. As SpursX3 says it isn't an excuse....just a problem. This last week was a perfect example. Beat the Lakers soundly in LA Monday, Tuesday fall flat in the same arena against the Clips, Wednesday rest, beat up on a depleted Suns team on Thursday, travel to SA and play Lakers again. And what another pitiful energy performance by the Spurs. Slow rotations on defense. Half assed cuts and picks on offense.
But then there is one other factor that you Laker fans should relate to....the Spurs are defending champs. Therefore all the other teams look at the Spurs game as something a little special...to beat the champs. I know many of you have acknowledge the same when the Lakers were on top. It demands a higher level of focus & energy in every game. Part of why they say it is so hard to repeat.
Not to mention the Spurs have played the most games out of any team in the last 3 years...that includes some of their players leaving to play in the summer games also.
Everyone wants a piece of the Spurs. Being able to beat a team that talented is a pick me up, especially for .500 teams. Its just the frustration knowing your team should mop the floor with certain teams only to see them not even care about the game that is going on.
Like X3 said, there is no back to back games in the playoffs.