Lakers’ Steve Blake out indefinitely, Steve Nash & Jodie Meeks doubtful for Game 3 vs. Spurs

Now starting for your Los Angeles Lakers…..Darius Morris and Andrew Goudelock!

If it’s hard for Lakers fans to muster up confidence about the team’s fortunes in overcoming a 0-2 deficit in their first-round series against the San Antonio Spurs, well things just turned for the worse.

It’s likely the Lakers’ starting backcourt in Game 3 on Friday against San Antonio will feature their two 2011 second-round draft picks. After receiving an ultrasound Thursday morning, Lakers guard Steve Blake is considered out indefinitely with a moderate strain in his right hamstring. Lakers guard Steve Nash is considered doubtful after receiving two epidural injections in his back and a cortisone shot in his right hip on Thursday. Lakers guard Jodie Meeks will receive an MRI on his sprained left ankle, but the Lakers doubt he will play either.

As if the burden isn’t already enough on Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol to lead the team without Kobe Bryant because of a season-ending torn left Achilles’ tendon, the load just increased. That’s a dicey proposition considering the Spurs have already relentlessly fronted them inside. Without their two main playmakers in Nash and Blake, the post just shrank considerably for the Lakers’ two big men.

Morris has averaged 4 points per game on 38.8 percent shooting in 14.2 minutes through 48 games this season. Goudelock was just recently recalled from the Development League because of his strong three-point shooting. That quality both earned him a spot last season in the Lakers’ rotation and spawned D-League player of the year honors.

Rarely, have these two backcourt mates seen the floor this season beyond spot minutes. Now they could largely assume the backcourt in a game that could largely determine whether their season ends early. No NBA team in league history has ever overcome a 0-3 deficit, placing heavier emphasis on the Game outcome. We’ll

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