The Lakers(48-18) are on Game 2 of their Pacific Division road trip as they face the Golden State Warriors(18-47).
L.A. is coming off a great win against the Phoenix Suns, 102-96. Holding the league’s highest scoring team under the century mark.
The win ended their four-game losing streak at home.
They head into Northern California to face another high-scoring team. Golden State averages 107.4 a game.
Rooke of the Year candidate Stephen Curry has been a spark for the Warriors, putting up 16.2 points and 5.4 assists a game, but only 13 points on 34.8 percent shooting against the Lakers. And with their injury-plagued roster is getting smaller and smaller, Golden State is forced to start small forward Anthony Tolliver at center.
The Lakers will use their size to their advantage. 4 out of the 5 starters for L.A. is taller than Golden States’ lineup,with Fisher(6’1) being shorter than point guard Stephen Curry(6’3). Andrew Bynum will look to have another big game after his 18-point, 8-12 shooting performance this past Friday.
Defense, defense, and more defense. Golden State’s entire starting lineup is capable of shooting behind the arc and shoots 37 percent as a team. The Lakers will have to control the tempo and not fall victim to their run-and-gun style.
With L.A. beginning to regain their toughness after the great defensive win over Phoenix, we should expect another physical game from out defending champs.
PROJECTED STARTERS:
(C) A. Bynum
(PF) P. Gasol
(SF) R. Artest
(SG) K. Bryant
(PG) D. Fisher
Injuries:
K. Bryant (finger) is day-to-day.
S. Vujacic (shoulder) is day-to-day.
WARRIORS:
(C) A. Tolliver
(PF) C. Maggette
(SF) A. Morrow
(SG) M. Ellis
(PG) S. Curry
Injuries:
R. Turiaf (knee) is questionable.
V. Radmanovic (achilles) is day-to-day.
A. Bedrins (pubalgia) is out.
A. Randolph (ankle) is out.
K. Azubuike (patellar tendon) is out.
R. Bell (wrist) is out.
B. Wright (shoulder) is out.
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