Pre-game: LAL vs. CHA by DaVion Lee
Not able to get a win in Miami for the first game of their three-game road trip, The Lakers(46-16) are looking to bounce back against the Charlotte Bobcats(28-31).
The Bobcats, however are looking for a bounce-back of their own. Charlotte has lost two games in a row, losing 4 of their last 5.
The Lakers coming to town make actually be a bit of a relief for them.
L.A. had lost six of the last seven to Charlotte before winning last month, February 3rd, 99-97. Now they’re looking for their season sweep since the 2004-05 season.
But the Bobcats always seem to bring their best against the Lakers. Which should be expected by the defending champs this time around. Kobe will definitely be ready.
Despite the return of the Mamba’s shooting stroke, the Lakers suffered a heart-breaking lost to the Heat to kick off their three-game road trip.
Bryant scored 39 points on 15 of 28 shooting, 12 of them in the fourth quarter to force an overtime. But due to a few miscues down the stretch, Miami took the victory 114-111.
“We basically traded baskets to start the overtime”, said Bryant, “We didn’t execute defensively”.
A back-to-back may show a few signs of fatigue for the Lakers. But expect them to have more of a since of urgency to earn the victory.
The Lakers biggest matchup problem lie in Gerald Wallace and Stephen Jackson. Wallace is an underrated All-Star, averaging 18 ppg and 10.2 rpg. Ron Artest will have a challenge guarding the athletic forward. Jackson will try to contain Bryant.
But this will come to bench play.
Farmar will look to provide an offensive push for the second unit. As well as Shannon Brown, who’ll be visiting his former team for the first time since the last year.
PROJECTED STARTERS:
LAKERS:
(C) A. Bynum
(PF) P. Gasol
(SF) R. Artest
(SG) K. Bryant
(PG) D. Fisher
Injuries:
S. Brown(Thumb) day-to-day.
BOBCATS:
(C) T. Ratliff
(PF) B. Diaw
(SF) G. Wallace
(SG) S. Jackson
(PG) R. Felton
Injuries:
D. Diop(Knee) is out.
T. Chandler(Foot/Ankle) is day-to-day.
N. Mohammed(Back) is day-to-day.
NOTES:
The Lakers lead the season series 1-0 but have either tied the series or lost it to the Bobcats since 2004-05.
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