A new year brings a new twist for the Lakers-Spurs rivalry.
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The number one team in the Western Conference, Los Angeles Lakers (52-18) head to Texas to face the San Antonio Spurs (42-27).
The age of the Spurs is now beginning to show as they are trying to stay in the playoff race at the 6 seed.
But as the Lakers, San Antonio are picking up their play as the season winds down.
L.A. is looking for their 4th consecutive on the road to make it seven wins in a row.
The Spurs are seven of their last ten, but struggled against playoff teams before beating Oklahoma City, 99-96 behind George Hill’s 27 points.
The Lakers beat Washington 99-92, but blow a 26-point lead in the process.
Focus will be key for the champs.
The Lakers currently split the series at 1-1 with the Spurs. Losing 105-85 on Jan. 12 in San Antonio and winning 101-89 at home on Feb 8.
With Bynum still out, Gasol will have to matchup against Tim Duncan a lot more. Just recently Pau was named the Western Conference player of the week after averaging 27 points and 12 rebounds on over 70 percent shooting.
The bench will be critical, as in the Jan. 12 lost, the bench was outscored 42-20.
This time, Tony Parker is out due to a hand injury. He’s averaging 21.0 points and 7 assists against the Lakers this season. But to the Lakers’ fortune, a much healthier Kobe Bryant is the lineup. Bryant was sidelined for the 2nd half of the first meeting and out completely for the second.
Kobe will matchup against Manu Ginobili, which should be a problem for the Mamba. Bryant is averaging 25.2 points, 7.2 assists, and 5.8 rebounds in the last 5 games including a white-hot 2nd quarter against the Wizards with 8-11 shooting. So expect him to continue his hot scoring.
PROJECTED STARTERS:
LAKERS:
(C) P. Gasol
(PF) L. Odom
(SF) R. Artest
(SG) K. Bryant
(PG) D. Fisher
Injuries:
A. Bynum (left Achilles) is out.
SPURS:
(C) A. McDyess
(PF) T. Duncan
(SF) R. Jefferson
(SG) M. Ginobili
(PG) G. Hill
Injuries:
T. Parker (hand) is out.
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