<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'></p> <div class="entry"> Records: Lakers 7-3; Bucks 5-4 Offensive ratings: Lakers 112.4 (2nd); Bucks 104.6 (19th) Defensive ratings: Lakers 103.8 (9th); Bucks 107.9 (21st) Projected Starting Lineups: Lakers: Derek Fisher, Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom, Ronny Turiaf (although it could be Vladamir Radmanovic again), Andrew Bynum Bucks: Mo Williams, Michael Redd, Desmond Mason, Yi Jianlian, Andrew Bogut</p> Lakers Notes: We are a spoiled. Sometimes in our efforts to focus on how much Andrew Bynum has improved, or what a good floor general Jordan Farmar has become, we overlook something — Kobe is unbelievable.</p> In the first quarter he was the alpha dog — 4 of 7 from the floor (2 of 3 from beyond the arc), plus he got to the line four times, giving him 14 points in just under 11 minutes. After a rest he came back in and was 4 of 6 (3 of 4 from three) with another assist, giving him 26 points on 80% (eFG%) shooting for the half and a +8. For the game, Kobe had an offensive rating of 139 (points per 100 possessions pace) and — thanks to another big night from the bench — got to rest almost all of the fourth quarter.</p> The other thing of note — that was one of the Lakers better defensive showings this season. They held the Pacers as a team to 43.7% (eFG%) shooting. And I think Jermaine O’Neal will remember Bynum as more than trade bait in the future.</p> The Bucks Coming In:Right now, the Bucks are the luckiest team in the NBA. They have been outscored by their opponents (3.4 points per 100 possessions) but still have a 5-4 record. And, they are undefeated at home. Something is going to change — either the Bucks numbers will start to show them outscoring opponents or, more likely, they’ll drop some of those close games and their record will fall.</p> Yi Jianlian gets all the attention Bucks are Michael Redd’s team — he is using 27% of the team’s possessions when he is on the floor, is shooting 48.9% (eFG%, and that is a pretty good number considering how much of the offense he is carrying) and is averaging 24.8 points per 40 minutes.</p> The Bucks run many of their offensive sets for Redd — they run him off multiple screens, they make him the ball handler in some screen-and-rolls, they’ll even post him up (credit the official Lakers web site scouting report for that info). And don’t think this is the catch-and-shoot only Redd — last night he got to the line 20 times. The Lakers need to keep him off the line.</p> Pinky, Are You Pondering What I’m Pondering? A couple more thoughts on the newest Laker Trevor Ariza. Because of the time it takes to learn the offense, I think Ariza’s minutes will be limited at first (although I’d expect him to get a taste tonight). What will get him on the floor is his defense — there are times the team would be willing to sacrifice some scoring to have better defense on the wing. I expect his minutes and role will grow as the season wears on, and by next year he’ll have a comfortable spot in the rotation.</p> Keys To The Game: Both teams come in on the second game of a back-to-back, but The Lakers should be able to get some mismatches on offense — they don’t have anyone who can cover Kobe (does anyone really?), the Bucks have struggled to defend the three and there aren’t many threes like Odom, and Bynum should be able to do some damage against Bogut. The Lakers, on the other hand, should be able to use Kobe (and Ariza?) to slow Redd somewhat.</p> Like the Lakers, the Bucks can count on their bench in key moments — in crunch time last night in Cleveland it was Mo Williams taking most of the shots (in part because the Cavs can’t defend the point) and Charlie Villanueva in the paint (remember he had 26 against the Lakers last year). Yi and Mason sat and watched. The Bucks also have Bobby Simmons off the bench, who seems to have found his Clippers form and is shooting 53.9% this season. Whichever team’s bench comes through will have a big advantage.</p> Tonight’s Game: Where Five-In-A-Row Happens: If the Bucks had not won an emotional game last night, I might pick them to knock off the Lakers. My guess is that both teams come out a little flat tonight (if one team gets a healthy early lead that would be huge) but that the deeper Lakers bench gets them another lead, and a rested Kobe finishes them off. Still, this is the kind of game that worries me against a team that just seems to win right now.</p> Where you can watch: Game time is 5 p.m. (Pacific). In Los Angeles tune into KCAL (9), no national broadcast. Online, I’d suggest Gamecast.</div></p> Source: ForumBlueandGold.com</p> Bucks are coming off a tough game last night against the Cavs and the Lakers coasted to victory. I expect our team to have the fresh legs tonight and walk away with another victory before our showdown with the Celtics!</p> I'm curious to see how Bynum does in a back-to-back game as a starter.</p> Michael Redd torched Kobe last season, so expect Kobe to put the clamps on him tonight. He's held Redd to career lows in the past and I'm sure Kobe has been waiting for revenge.</p> Lamar Odom needs to start showing something now. He didn't do anything last night for the team and Milwaukee is a good matchup for him. I want to see Odom light them up for over 20 points tonight.</p> </div>
i cant take it when kobe is losing his matchup with the other teams shooting guard... redd is the main reason why the bucks are in this game with his 3rebs and 3 assists (leading to open looks) due to lakers double teams</p>
Kobe should give us this W to extend our streak to 5 by finishing the game with 28pts 5 rebs 6 assists 2 stls 2 blocks... or else red might heat up and steal this one away</p>
Lamar Odumb has shown up tonight with mistake after mistake. He's giving us nothing on either end. Laker turnovers and poor shooting are the only things keeping Milwaukee in this game.</p> I expect the offense to get going in the second half and the Lakers taking control of the game with a double digit lead. Lakers just need to keep attacking and earn trips to the charity stripe.</p>
This was the most atrociously officiated game I've seen in a long, long time. The Lakers got all the calls early on (leading to the free throw edge), but the Bucks got away with a lot down the stretch. It was the kind of game where the officials take away the players' intensity and desire to compete.</p>
Reffing was horrible...</p> Ah well, this isn't how I wanted to go into the Boston game, but oh well. Odom has had, what, 2 or 3 horrible games in a row now? That's good because based on averages, he's bound to show up with another huge game soon, hopefully against Boston because we'll need it</p>
i knew it... kobe didnt win the matchup against redd and the bench did not deliver... thats why we lost... if only kobe was in fiyah he culd have pulled of a win</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Trench)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> That 4th quarter hurt us bad!! Why did they take out Bynum??</p> </div></p> He picked up two cheap fouls so PJax was forced to bench him. Bynum got no respect from the officials tonight blatantly shameful. Bogut was shoving him in the back all night long, which is fine if you're going to allow that on both ends of the court.</p> Lamar Odom needs to be traded immediately. He had a mismatch all night long with Desmond Mason trying to defend him. He kept turning the ball over every time the Lakers tried to iso him against Mason in the post. Odom just doesn't produce for this team he's had one good game out of five identical to his entire career with the Lakers. I'm all in favor of having Luke start and have Odom come in off the bench to play with the uptempo second unit.</p> </p> </p>
lets try for kidd again, offering odom, kwame and fisher for kidd and a filler, good trade id say, especially if kidd wants out (which is likely because the nets are crap)</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (AKIRA)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> lets try for kidd again, offering odom, kwame and fisher for kidd and a filler, good trade id say, especially if kidd wants out (which is likely because the nets are crap)</p> </div></p> </p> I'd go for this if Kidd and Collins were involved in the package. It really is time to unload Odom. He calls himself a scrub? So be it. He doesn't have the passion for the game.</p> </p>
