Time: 7:30 p.m. Location: Staples Center TV: Los Angeles: FSN, NBALP Denver: FSN, NBALP ---------------------- Probable Starters: Andre Miller/Gary Payton Voshon Lenard/Kareem Rush Carmelo Anthony/Devean George Nene/Slava Medvedenko Marcus Camby/Horace Grant ---------------------------------- Injury Report: Nuggets- Jon Barry-Out Mark Pope-Out Lakers- Rick Fox-Out Shaquille O'Neal-Out Karl Malone-Out Kobe Bryant-Out ------------------- Keys to the game: Nuggets- The keys for Denver is they have to score early on this small Laker lineup. They have all kinds of weapons to use on offense especially Voshon Lenard and Carmelo Anthony. I look for Voshon to get it going on the perimeter, and since Kareem Rush isn't used to being a starter, Lenard should be able to take advantage. The other frontcourt weapons the Nuggets have are Nene and Marcus Camby. Both capable of controlling the boards at any given time. And without Karl and Shaq still out nursing their injuries, they should be able to take full advantage of the rebound categories. Lakers- With another superstar out of the lineup, Gary Payton will just have to take this young team on his shoulders. He'll need to motivate these guys, and he'll have to get everybody involved. Guys that haven't seen extended minutes before will have to step up which is Kareem Rush. He'll have to penetrate to the basket, create contact, and get to the FT line as much as possible. Because if this team goes in a scoring slump, they'll be in big trouble. Devean George will also have to score consistently. Clearly, he's not an excellent first half shooter, but in the second half, he seems to gain confidence, and that is a decent plus. Laker Fever's prediction- With the Nuggets' talent, they're capable of scoring 100+ points a game, and with 3 superstars out of the lineup, this game can look miserable to watch. Nuggets by 13.
Nuggets by 8 if Payton isnt Huge, i dont like the Lakers starting L...i think it should be Medvedenko at C and Cook at PF...GP should have a nice night though
It's nearly impossible for the Lakers to win a game against a West team right now. Nuggets win comfortably by 20.
I don't think Lakers got a chance in this one. If they are lucky and play weak D and O (which is unlikely to happen) Lakers MIGHT get close. But overall, without Kobe, Karl, and Shaq, I don't think they got a chance. You never know tho anythin can happen. I take the Nuggets in this one by 15.
Nuggets- 99 Lakers- 88 Payton nets 25 points but Slava and Rush are the only role players to do much. Hopefully Fisher can provide a spark off the bench. And we need the fossil Horace Grant to start making some jumpers. (Sorry Horace!)
15 and 20 point victories by the Nuggets !?! Let's not underestimate the Lakers, despite then having 3 of their starters out for the game. The Lakers will struggle in this game, but it's very hard for a pro team to actually get blown out. Players on the Lakers will have to step up for the game, and desperate times usually brings out the best from role players. Derek Fisher is going to be the key factor in this game. He has to neutralize the production Earl Boykins provides off the bench for the Nuggets. He torched the Lakers both times, but he can be taken advantage of on defense. I'm curious to see how the Lakers approach this game. Do they open up and play a more uptempo game? Or do the Lakers become extra cautious and play a half court set and eat up the shot clock on each possession? I'm going to go against the crowd and predict the Lakers winning by 3 in this game.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm going to go against the crowd and predict the Lakers winning by 3 in this game.</div> WOW, I'm going to be honest, I don't have much faith in the Lakers winning this game.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Purple N Gold:</div><div class="quote_post">WOW, I'm going to be honest, I don't have much faith in the Lakers winning this game.</div> The Lakers always have a good shot at home. The Nuggets will be coming off a tough game in Phoenix and are due for a let down. The Nuggets might overlook this game, because their next matchup is a big one versus the Mavs. A desperate team is a dangerous team ... Go Lakers!
I'm with SC on this one, even without the big three - losing by 20 at home to the Nuggets? Not going to happen, I think the Lakers have too much pride to let that happen. They got blasted in Denver, and should be looking to even the score tonight. Keep in mind, the starting lineup is just that, the starting lineup. Cook will get his time, as well as Sampson and D-Fish. Fisher will be a key factor in this game, he'll get 25-30 minutes tonight, and should get about 15 shots. If he can come up big and the frontcourt can keep Camby and Nene off the boards, the Lakers just might have a shot. I'm not going to predict a winner, but I will guarantee that the Lakers will not lose by double digits. The Nuggets are a great home team, but nothing more than average away from the rarified air of Denver.
Nuggets win. Period. Denver gave the Lakers a run for their money in the Staples Center when they had a full lineup. Without Shaq, Malone and Bryant, Nuggets will win by 10.
I will be very surprised if the Nuggets don't win this by more than 15.Just compare the two teams rosters.It is debatable that the Nuggets bench is stronger than the Lakers starting 5 when without Kobe,Malone and Shaq. Nuggets have tended to take teams lightly this season,playing down to current teams.It could happen again tonight but doubtful.
the ball is round, anything could happen. i'm a lakers fan and i doubt it that they will win tonight but who knows, maybe they will i'm looking forward for slava and george to have a big game tonight. fisher needs to hit the shots his making, he needs his confidence back or else... he won't be back next year
The Lakers are like a wounded animal right now, they're not going to go down without a fight. Everyone is doubting them in this game, these are the times when champions rise to the challenge. But only time will tell...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Purple N Gold:</div><div class="quote_post">It's nearly impossible for the Lakers to win a game against a West team right now.</div> I agree with you. Nuggets by 10
I feel bad for all you Lakers fans. The Nuggets are going to take advantage of the sudden injurys and blow the Lakers out by 17
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TimFlem:</div><div class="quote_post">I feel bad for all you Lakers fans. The Nuggets are going to take advantage of the sudden injurys and blow the Lakers out by 17</div>No reason to feel bad for us. I know a lot of people are enjoying this, but not for long. You should feel bad about magic
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Kosarkas:</div><div class="quote_post">No reason to feel bad for us. I know a lot of people are enjoying this, but not for long. You should feel bad about magic </div> I would feel bad about my team but they could of one most of the games they lost so I just don't say anything about the Magic.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Kosarkas:</div><div class="quote_post">No reason to feel bad for us. I know a lot of people are enjoying this, but not for long.</div> Yeah, all Laker haters, get all your laughing in now, because it's going to get serious come playoff time. Now lets get ready to whoop these Nuggets!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Purple N Gold:</div><div class="quote_post">Yeah, all Laker haters, get all your laughing in now, because it's going to get serious come playoff time. Now lets get ready to whoop these Nuggets! </div> LMAO But I don't think the Lakers will beat the Nuggets in this one and your injured list could get bigger come playoff time :mrgreen: ( Hopefully for all those Laker Haters)
