Good preview...I think it will depend on the Sonics do-or-die three point shooting...if they hit their shots like last time, they will blow out the Lakers...if they have an off-night, Lakers win a close game....Shaq isn't playing for sure I heard... btw, under key matchups, you have Nash vs Payton under Kobe and Allens pics
Seattle are 22-21 going into this one, not sure where you got your record from but I'd kill for that instead!
I agree with KJ, The Sonics always play A+ ball against the Lakers, and Ray Allen always outplays Kobe, I take the Sonics by 5
I corrected the errors...moving on. It's official, Shaq will not play tonight. Shaquille O'Neal almost surely won't play Wednesday night against Seattle, making it 13 games he will have missed since straining his right calf Jan. 2. Rick Fox will be available, but without Shaq I don't like the Lakers chances either. The Laker strength is their backcourt, but the Sonics match up well with it, and have the outside shooting, the Lakers have not been able to defend all season. I think the key matchup is going to take place at the SF position with George/Fox and Shard. Shard is coming off a huge night, and he has the opportunity of being the difference maker in the game. The frontcourt and backcourts are a wash, but Shard gives the Sonics an edge at the SF position. The Lakers do have the benefit of playing at home, and facing a team coming off a tough loss in Dallas. *Brent Barry is out for this game as well, but Flip Murray should be able to fill in along with Ridnour.
For the Lakers to have success in this game, clearly it will be on their backcourt production. We know Gary is capable of scoring at any given time, but who knows about Kobe? He's still not at 100%, and what if he goes into a scoring slump early? I think it'll be important for him to get involved early in the ballgame, and to hit a decent number of shots so that he can gain confidence, and maintain a offensive rhythm. I'm glad that Rick Fox will be in uniform tonight, and maybe Phil can consider making him the starting SF. Devean George has just been inconsistent, and he isn't the same Devean without Shaq, Malone, and Kobe. Plus if Fox starts, he'll have the feel of the game again, and he can get himself back in shape going up and down the court. He may be off on his shooting accuracy for a while, but he provides defense. Something this team needs right now. I trust Slava to have a decent game. He might not get to the career high he achieved in Utah, but he should be a dominant force in the inside since Jerome James and Calvin Booth aren't really that dominant. The Lakers play so well at Staples Center so I can't count them out in this one. Lakers by 6.
wow, Allen is on the verge of another triple double against the Lakers... Same ole Rick Fox, 0-2 with 4 fouls
Damn, my bad for the errors. I was rushing last night, thanks for correcting it shape. Now on topic about the game, didn't see it because I was at my bball game. But how in the hell did the Lakers pull this one out, I'm just checking out the scores. Slava 5 points, 6 rebounds. Kobe, 14 points, but Payton lead the pack with 24. I also see Shaq played, as he was listed doubtful for this one. Someone please summarize this for me. :mrgreen: BTW, congrats to Ray Allen for the triple double, but I thought he was going to take this game over, expected a 30-40 point performance out of him.
delicious! The Lakers get a win and it was good to see both the MDE and Ricky Fox back. Good win for the Lakers, despite the injuries.
Ah, yes what a excellent win for the Lakers. 96-82. And let me tell all the Laker fans here..it was a relief looking at Shaquille O'Neal and Rick Fox return from their injuries and return to the Staples Center floor. And what do you know...Rick Fox was at it again...2 pts and 4 personal fouls. And who noticed Shaq trying to dunk and falling on his back? Maybe that'll teach him to not be so selfish next time. Now back to the game.... Gary Payton played an excellent game. Led all scorers with 24 points on 11/16 shooting. Now if only he'd shoot like this every night, maybe haters will stop criticizing him. Because he's still a effective, productive player at 35 years of age. Kobe Bryant, yes still at 75%, did his best to contribute 14 points on 6/15 shooting. Just wait until he's at 100% again. Wouldn't that be dangerous? Devean George....the man I just like to criticize all the time, did all he could for 48 minutes to pitch in with 10. Hopefully as the season goes on, and the players slowly come back healthy, he'll get out of his mental problems and be the Devean George we saw earlier in the season. Slava's game, 2/8 shooting for five points, didn't really surprise me because he's not consistent on his statistics. And one more player I have to mention...Luke Walton. 2/2 with 4 pts. Hold your head up Luke...pretty soon you'll get your opportunities. Clearly a team win, and hopefully we can keep this going against Minnesota.
