The Lakers(49-18) survived a last-minute onslaught to defeat the Warriors, 124-121.
Now they’re going up against another young, but scrappy team; the Sacramento Kings(23-44).
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Although they have won 3 straight games after losing 3 straight, the Lakers don’t feel too relieved about their style of play lately.
The Lakers committed 24 turnovers, many of them unforced miscues, to a Warriors team that has one of the lowest ranked defenses in league.
A convincing victory over the Kings may set the champs at a bit of an ease, despite the team being out of playoff contention.
Los Angeles has had trouble against Sacramento this season needing two overtimes to win 112-103 on the road Dec. 26. Bryant had two clutch 3-pointers in the second OT, and in the next matchup made a buzzer-beating shot from beyond the arc as the Lakers overcame a 20-point deficit to beat the Kings 109-108 on Jan. 1.**
The Kings possess another Rookie of the Year candidate in Tyreke Evans, averaging 20.3 points, 5.6 assists and 5.1 rebounds.
The Lakers will have to play disciplined and physical to put Sacramento away. Kobe averages 38.5 points against them this season, but L.A. should look to establish their triangle offense early and efficiently.
Bynum and Gasol will have to keep an eye on Spencer Hawes, who can spread the floor with his 3-point shooting. But the frontcourt’s biggest concern will be Carl Landry. Landry is averaging 18.0 points and 7.7 rebounds in 3 games against the Lakers.
Excluding Lamar Odom, the bench hasn’t played particularly well recently. Expect the Bench Mob to bring more of a collective effort to give the Lakers starters an early rest.
PROJECTED STARTERS:
LAKERS:
(C) A. Bynum
(PF) P. Gasol
(SF) R. Artest
(SG) K. Bryant
(PG) D. Fisher
Injuries:
J. Farmar is day-to-day.
K. Bryant is day-to-day.
KINGS:
(C) S. Hawes
(PF) C. Landry
(SF) D. Greene
(SG) T. Evans
(PG) B. Udrih
Injuries:
J. Brockman is out.
**=Information was provided by ESPN©.
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