It's Cross-Town Rivalry Day in Los Angeles with the Lakers versus Clippers and also UCLA versus USC. The Lakers are coming off an impressive victory over the Jazz and play a similar style team today against the Clippers. The Clippers have struggled in their past 5 games, and can't seem to find their offensive rhythm. They've only cracked the century mark one time in their last 5 games, against the struggling Grizzlies. The Lakers defeated the Clippers in their first matchup and they should be fired up tonight to take a 2-0 lead in the series. Kwame Brown has been dealing with his ailing mom and has struggled recently. But tonight the Lakers need him to show up big and keep Brand in check. Kobe Bryant is playing brilliant basketball and has become a multi-dimensional threat on the court. Moving back to the facilitator role allows him to read and react to the defense. I expect Kobe to try and get his teammates going early, because the Clippers are going to pay extra attention to him after his 52 point performance. Kobe also dropped 40 on the Clippers in the first game, so Dunleavy will have to draw up his defensive schemes to disrupt Kobe. However, the difference this season is everyone on the team is confident in scoring and are making their shots. If the Clippers overplay on Kobe, he's going to pick them apart and his teammates will have to deliver. Dunleavy will likely live and die with Kwame Brown beating his team tonight, so Kwame has to be ready to catch the pass, finish around the basket, AND MAKE HIS FREE THROWS. I won't be surprised to see Kwame get 15 shot attempts in the game today. If he's not getting done, then Bynum will have to step up off the bench and deliver. With Phoenix surging (6 straight wins), the Lakers need to keep pace and register another road win tonight and improve to 4-0 against their division.
I predict Kobe to have another big game. Kobe will end up with 40+ and the lakers win by at least 5+. Kobe will be more assertive in this game since its becoming a rivalry. I dont see them losing this game.
4-8 and 1-1 at the FT is not too bad for a start for Kobe. We all know Kobe lives and breathes the 2nd half of play.
I'm in seattle so I can't watch this, how's it looking? I'm following it on NBA.COM but that doesn't really tell you much about style of play and how crisp they are out there....someone talk to me
Lakers are playing really well but kobe isnt! 10-20 FG% and 7 to's not to mention his 0-3 from the arc lol
hes not doing so well, but in all fairness, 3 of them have been buzzer beaters where he HAS to toss the ball up.
Lakers win again! Kwame Brown had the big game I predicted, he was very active early on and made his impact on the defensive end. If he made some those free throws he'd have double digits in points. It looks like Radman finally found his shot. Great news for us. Kings and Warriors also lost to help us gain a game on each of them.
So let me get this straight... Kobe had a bad game even though he had 29 points shooting just under 50%? I guess the 7 turnovers then?
<div class="quote_poster">Brian Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Nice win by the Lakers. I like how on Yahoo, it says the Clippers "contained" Bryant</div> Haha, I think they were being sarcastic. You gotta admit, Shaun Livingston did a nice job on Kobe last night with those two blocks. I can't wait for the next meeting and I hope Dunleavy makes the mistake of starting Livingston on Kobe.
