Celtics @ Lakers Preview 12/28/03 Time: 6:30 p.m. Location: Staples Center TV: FSN, NBATV ---------------------- Probable Starters: Mike James/Gary Payton Ricky Davis/Kobe Bryant Paul Pierce/Devean George Vin Baker/Stanislav Medvedenko Mark Blount/Shaquille O'Neal ---------------------------------- Injury Report: Celtics- Raef LaFrentz-Out Brandon Hunter-Out Chris Mills-Out Lakers- Rick Fox-Out Jamaal Sampson-Out Brian Cook-Out Karl Malone-Out ------------------- Keys to the game: Celtics- Boston's chances will rely heavily on the productions of both Paul Pierce and Ricky Davis. Even though Ricky's numbers are down since being traded from Cleveland, he's still dangerous to get hot anywhere and anytime on the court. Paul Pierce ranks #3 in field goal attempts at 559.0 and ranks #5 in points per game at 23.7 so everybody knows he's someone to look out for. Also, since the Lakers are still without Karl Malone, Vin Baker can easily score over Slava Medvedenko since he is a soft defender. And he can also control a large portion of the glass. They're also a perimeter team, a team that can live and die off the 3 pointer, and since the Lakers have had poor perimeter defense these last couple of games, look for Boston to take advantage of that. Lakers- The Lakers have shown the last couple of games that they are vulnerable without Karl Malone in the lineup, and they really seemed to be out of sync and very inconsistent. What the Lakers will have to do is get Kobe involved in the game early, and for the Lakers to play defense. They also seem to allow the opponent to run all over them in the first half, so it's very important for them to come out with a ton of energy and composure, and play Laker basketball from start to finish. Since Raef LaFrentz is out for this game, I expect Shaq to be the dominant center he's known to be, and attack the low post, and hit FT's when necessary, because it's very obvious the Celtics will foul him as much as possible. Laker Fever's prediction- I am still very disgusted by how this team performed on Christmas night and they just look beatable. This is the first time I'm going against my Lakers, so I will say the CELTICS with the upset over the Lakers at Staples Center by 5.
I think Lakers can rebound and get the win tonight, Celtics just lost to the HAWKS (check out the forum) and Lakers really have no reason to lose. Shaq will dominate all game and Kobe should have a breakout game. No one can hold Shaq, its just that Slava really sucks lol.
I'm going with the Lakers in this one. I can't see them losing back to back home games. I could be wrong though. They energy and motivation has been absent these past few games...really sad for a team with so much talent.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rudeezy:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm going with the Lakers in this one. I can't see them losing back to back home games.</div> I can't neither. The Lakers will rebound from there first loss and beat the Celtics by 5.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting MVPlaya:</div><div class="quote_post">I think Lakers can rebound and get the win tonight, Celtics just lost to the HAWKS (check out the forum) and Lakers really have no reason to lose. Shaq will dominate all game and Kobe should have a breakout game. No one can hold Shaq, its just that Slava really sucks lol.</div> Game is not tonight
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Kosarkas:</div><div class="quote_post">Game is not tonight </div>Well Laker_Fever didn't give any information on the date of this game. I thought it was tonight also.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rudeezy:</div><div class="quote_post">Well Laker_Fever didn't give any information on the date of this game. I thought it was tonight also.</div> Boston is playin Phoenix tonight, and the game is tommorrow.
Oh, my fault.... Maybe I should add some dates to the previews. Sorry if I confused anyone. :thumbsup:
Thats true about the Celtics not being able to contain Shaq. But will Medvedenko be able to keep Vin Baker off the boards. And can Devon george hold Paul Pierce. This should be an excellent and intense game. I choose Celtics for the win, I truely dont think the Lakers are together yet. I think the the reason that the Lakers are losing now is because the wins that they have recieved have been from their pure talent and now its catching up to them.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting MVPlaya:</div><div class="quote_post">I think Lakers can rebound and get the win tonight, Celtics just lost to the HAWKS (check out the forum) and Lakers really have no reason to lose. Shaq will dominate all game and Kobe should have a breakout game. No one can hold Shaq, its just that Slava really sucks lol.</div> Slava Sucks??? He is one of the best role players on the team, and Jackson gets mad at him when he doesnt take shots, because for a big man he has a sweet jumper...as for the game, i dont know the lakers disappointed me last night, i think they can take this one thoguh....102-96
Lakers/Celtics match-ups have ALWAYS been classic to watch.Take a look through the history of the game and you will see Lakers and Celtics as the best games you will ever see.Teams change though....but the pride is still there for both teams. As for the Medvedenko debate....does he suck? no...but he is only an average player.The reason he hasn't played much in the past or now is because he plays no defense.Phil Jackson won't have players playing many minutes who don't give enough effort on the defensive end. I expect Pierce to dominate this game by taking it to George.PP is the kind of player who will get you in foul trouble because of his great driving skills. Ricky Davis is still coming off the bench BTW
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting allnet:</div><div class="quote_post">Ricky Davis is still coming off the bench BTW</div> Who's the starting SG for Boston on Sunday?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting VAs Finest:</div><div class="quote_post">Jiri Welsch is the starter i believe</div>I really wish the Warriors would have held on to him...he is going to be something special IMO.
Lakers are up by 11, 3 mins left in the first. If the Lakeshow does lose this one, I will no longer consider them championship contenders.
