Mavericks @ Lakers(12/11/03) @ Time: 10:30 Eastern Place: The Staples Center Tv: Local, ESPN ------------------------------ Probable Starting L's: Steve Nash/Gary Payton Mike Finley/Kobe Bryant Dirk Nowitzki*/Devean George Dirk Nowitzki*/Karl Malone Danny Fortson/Shaq ----------------------------- Injuries: Dal- SF-Josh Howard-Ankle-Game Time Decision PF-Dirk Nowitzki-Ankle-Questionable SF-Tariq Abdul-Wahad-Knee-Out PG-Jon Stefansson-Ankle-Out Lal: PF-Brian Cook-Finger-IR SF-Rick Fox Foot-IR C-Jamal Sampson-Back-IR --------------------------------- Keys: Dal- RUN!, the only players that can keep the pace up if dallas runs is Kobe, and Gary. If Nowitzki PLays, he needs to have a strong game, Nash should be looking for some vengeance on Malone, so look for him to have a big game. Finley has been struggling as of late and should snap that any time soon. Lal- SHAQ! SHAQ! SHAQ!... need i say more? Shaq dominates Fortson and if he can get going early this has the potential to be another LAL blow out. The Lakers are on a real hot streak but ahve almost lost two games, one to teh Jazz, and the other to the lowly Knicks, which they slept one. They need to come out with fire in their eyes. -------------------------- Prediction: Lakers by 7 P.S. i am not sure about those starting L's
In this game there is a lot of streaks that will be on the line. The Lakers will go for their 28th straight at Staples, their 11th straight win overall, their 13th straight home win this season, and the Mavericks streak in Los Angeles. What the Lakers have to do is take them out early just like the last game at Dallas. It'll break their spirits. If the lakers can maintain an offensive rhythm and continue to score points with consistency, Dallas will be in trouble. Also, Gary payton has to do a better job on defending Steve Nash. Gary just allowed Nash to run freely on the court at Dallas, and spot up and shoot 3 pointers. That can't happen again. Dirk Nowitzki is back for Dallas, and I'm sure he'll go for 30-35, so it'll be up to Malone to defend him as well as possible. Kobe and Shaq should have monster games for the Lakers. They always do. If Fortson defends Shaq one on one, it will be a miserable time for the Mavericks. Because Shaq just abuses him every game these two teams get together. Kobe should penetrate, like he always does, create contact, or try and hit shots while one of his teammates are double-teamed. Look out for Devean George. He played well the last game at Dallas, and he should receive a number of shot opportunities. My prediction: Lakers win big, and extend the many number of streaks. :mrgreen:
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting lakeshow:</div><div class="quote_post">Just give the ball to shaq. He'll do the rest </div> We shouldn't just give the ball to Shaq, we have other guys that can score 20-25 easily.
Yeah I know, the other guys will get their touches too but its full watching shaq just roll right past guys like najera and fortson like they arent even there.
I'm thinking a 5-10 point win for the Lakers. We have been dominating at home this season, and we've shown we can beat the Mavs at their place, this time it's at our home. Shaq WILL eat them alive. GO LAKERS!!
What do you Laker fans think of Dirk going for the Mavs? What kind of impact do you think he'll make tonight?
ahh thanks for doin this VAs finest. I hope my mavs dont loose. I know yall saw that lil preview with DIrk crying. OMG I JUST WANTED TO HOLD HIM.. oh well Mavs by 1
WOW..Crazy game so far.4 techinals on the Lakers in the first quarter. Gary Payton has been ejected!! Dallas up 27-18 with under 2 minutes left in the 1st quarter.
GP was robbed. I felt that it should be more to get ejected out of a game, especially in the 1st q, BAD CALL, and this one could screw us bad, but hopefully the Lakers will take it out on them, and keep up with the Mavs, we can't play catch up, feed it to Shaq! And I have a feeling Fisher will come up big. And I know Payton feels horrible for that one, you could tell by when he got ejected he didn't want to leave the court.
Lakers 19 Dallas 33 end of the first quarter Kobe 0-6,Nash shooting the ball well so far.Nothing going right for L.A.The refs are against them so far
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting allnet:</div><div class="quote_post">Lakers 19 Dallas 33 end of the first quarter Kobe 0-6,Nash shooting the ball well so far.Nothing going right for L.A.The refs are against them so far </div> Let's not get too excited, once this game calms down, we will pull ourselves back into the game, we just have to play our kind of ball, were not doing that right now, and it's going to be hard without having GP. And just for the record, let's not forget what happend last year. :mrgreen: I can just feel the Mavs falling apart right now, were creeping back on them.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Purple N Gold:</div><div class="quote_post">Let's not get too excited, once this game calms down, we will pull ourselves back into the game, we just have to play our kind of ball, were not doing that right now, and it's going to be hard without having GP. And just for the record, let's not forget what happend last year. :mrgreen: I can just feel the Mavs falling apart right now, were creeping back on them.</div> Not get too excited? I don't mind who wins this game.You may think I hate L.A but that isn't the case.I have been looking forward to this game all week.Lakers back in this one.39-34 to Dallas.Shaq with 2 fouls though.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting allnet:</div><div class="quote_post">Not get too excited? I don't mind who wins this game.You may think I hate L.A but that isn't the case.I have been looking forward to this game all week.Lakers back in this one.39-34 to Dallas.Shaq with 2 fouls though.</div> C'mon, don't try to say you are not excited about the Mavs breaking out to a big lead against the Lakers who haven't lossed at home so far :mrgreen: . There it is, we have the lead now, intensity, the home crowd, this is why we are undefeated at Staples. And we'll pound it on them with Shaq in the 2nd half, let's do this Lakers!!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Purple N Gold:</div><div class="quote_post">C'mon, don't try to say you are not excited about the Mavs breaking out to a big lead against the Lakers who haven't lossed at home so far :mrgreen: . There it is, we have the lead now, intensity, the home crowd, this is why we are undefeated at Staples. And we'll pound it on them with Shaq in the 2nd half, let's do this Lakers!!</div> Excited isn't the word.Surprised I would say was the correct statement.Kobe's shot is off big time so far.2-10.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting allnet:</div><div class="quote_post">Excited isn't the word.Surprised I would say was the correct statement.Kobe's shot is off big time so far.2-10.</div> Yea, were gonna need him to hit big shots down the stretch if we want to win this game, Hopefully he will find his touch in the 2nd half.
Are you talkin about that last brick he had? Cuz it was off, but he'll come around to help. He usually doesn't stay off the whole game, he'll find ways to get his points.
