The Lakers (40-13) coming off another impressive win Monday night against the San Antonio Spurs, now head into the All-Star break looking stop to a hot-streaking Utah Jazz.
The Jazz (32-18), are on an 11 game winning streak and look to get extend it to 12 against the defending champs.
Follow: TwitterCast: @LakersNation | Local TV: KCal at 6pm | Radio: 710ESPN
Playing without the Mamba in their last two games, the Lake show proved it could win just fine with the talent remaining dressed to play.
But the Conference rivals always seem to have a “down to the wire” game, so look for defense to be a major stand-out for the Lakers. As well as paint play as The Lakers are have more length than the Jazz. Their 1-1 against each other this season; both taking wins at home.
Our guards will have their hands full guarding All-star Deron Williams, especially since perimeter D’s been an issue for the past few seasons. The 6-3 Point Guard is averaging 28.3 ppg, 9.2 apg, and is shooting 58.6 percent in his last 4 home games against the Lakers(18.8 ppg & 9.8 apg for the season).
All-in-all, I expect big games from our front three, Pau, Lamar, & Ron. They’re playing well together, controlling the paint, & Ron is starting to show those skills that irritated Lakers Nation in the 2nd round of the playoffs last year. A win tonight will be a great statement win for us.
INJURIES: Bynum(hip) DOUBTFUL, Bryant (ankle) is QUESTIONABLE(game-time decision), Odom(sore left ankle) is PROBABLE.
STARTING LINEUPS:
Lakers:
(C) Pau Gasol
(PF) Lamar Odom
(SF) Ron Artest
(SG) Kobe Bryant (QUESTIONABLE)
(PG) Derek Fisher
Jazz:
(C) Mehmet Okur
(PF) Carlos Boozer (19.6 ppg & 10.8 rpg this season)
(SF) Andrei Kirilenko
(SG) Ronnie Brewer
(PG) Deron Williams
If Kobe doesn’t start tonight, expect Shannon Brown to take his place. He’s played solid the past two games; picking up some of the scoring load.
NOTES: Los Angeles is 98-54 against Utah, and 80-49 since the Jazz franchise moved from New Orleans to Utah. If Kobe plays, he’ll being playing in his 1,000 regular season game. Only Kareem has played more for the franchise(1,093).
Written By: Davion Lee
[phpbay]Kobe V, 3, “”, “”[/phpbay]
Comments