Preview: Sonics at Lakers 1/28/04 @ Day/Date: Wednesday, 1/28/04 At: Staples Center Time: 7:30 pm(PT) TV: Local Los Angeles Lakers: 26-15 Quick fact: Lakers have been a solid 5-5 in their last 10. Seattle Sonics: 22-21 Quick fact: Sonics are only 9-11 on the road this season, and 5-5 in their last 10 Probable Starters Frontcourt Jerome James/Horace Grant Calvin Booth/Slava Medvedenko Rashard Lewis/Devean George Backcourt Ray Allen/Kobe Bryant Brent Barry/Gary Payton Keys to the game <u>Lakers</u> <ul>[*] If Lakers want to have any chance of winning this game, they must get consistent scoring and rebounding from role players.[/list] <ul>[*]Slava has to play like he has been, Lakers are weak inside, but he has made the inside game stronger.[/list] <ul>[*]Take smart shots, work the offense around the backcourt, since that's where the Lakers are most strongest right now.[/list] <u>Sonics</u> <ul>[*]Let the bulk of the play be done by the backcourt, that's where they are most strongest also.[/list] <ul>[*]Make some kind of a battle occur on the inside, Seattle isn't the best inside, but get some kind of inside game going.[/list] <ul>[*]Get the ball to Ray Allen, let him take on Kobe like their first meeting,he was successful, and possibly he may be able to take over the game again[/list] Key Match-up Ray Allen vs Kobe Bryant Look for Allen and Kobe to go at eachother ALL GAME. Why? Watch the first meeting between these two teams. The 'X' factor Will a non 100% Kobe still be enough for the Lakers to pull it out with a victory? My predictions Honestly, this game can go either way. But my prediction is the Lakers by 3. Though Kobe is not 100%, I feel comfortable about LA winning this, they are at home, and if we get the production we have been getting from our role players lately, the Lakers may possibly come out with a win.
Good preview...I think it will depend on the Sonics do-or-die three point shooting...if they hit their shots like last time, they will blow out the Lakers...if they have an off-night, Lakers win a close game....Shaq isn't playing for sure I heard... btw, under key matchups, you have Nash vs Payton under Kobe and Allens pics
How will Seattle pull up after the heartbreaker to Dallas? Both Vitaly Potapenko and Antonio Daniels were superb in the last shot loss, and will add depth to a Seattle line-up. Sonics have the wood on the Lakers, Ray has the wood on Kobe. Sonics by 8.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James:</div><div class="quote_post">Ray has a big one.</div> Yup, sooner or later Kobe is going to have to start taking the match-up seriously. He has absolutely no respect for Ray's game, and he gets torched every time.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trail_Blazer76:</div><div class="quote_post">Yup, sooner or later Kobe is going to have to start taking the match-up seriously. He has absolutely no respect for Ray's game, and he gets torched every time.</div> Exactly. I see the Sonics taking this one, and loudly. Sonics by 12, after a Lakers run to prevent an even worse loss.
I'm just happy Kobe's playing. Seems the Sonics have the advantage overall, I mean come on, Horace Grant for a center. No effort or skill whatsoever. Rush and Cook are whom I'm looking forward to see play, especially score. However the Lakers won't and can't take this. Allen and Lewis will most likely kill them, Sonics by 9.
hopefully I'll be able to see this game...and I hope they get this win. They've proved they could beat Lakers--over & over again...so what's there to lose? Hopefully they'll get hot in the 3rd and repeat there magic of winning (except for last night...agh, haha...)
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Magic Johnson:</div><div class="quote_post">Rush and Cook are whom I'm looking forward to see play, especially score.</div> You're going to be disappointed then because Cook has been injured...he's out 4-6 weeks... The biggest problem that Ray Allen has presented to the Lakers is his abilitiies in pick n roll situations. The lakers just do not defend that well at all, and Allen seems to capitilize each time they meet..when help does come, the seattle shooters always seem to make the lakers pay...look for seattle to do the same thing over and over again tonite...if their shots fall, i see a blowout..15+ pts
Well Ray Allen still owns Kobe Bryant, but last night's heartbreaker to Dallas took it's toll on the Seattle Sonics, and the Lakers ran over them in the final period, 96-82. After jumping out early and getting run over in the second period, a 24-17 third had the Sonics within one with a period to play. However a combination of Laker dominance and Seattle weariness in the last meant LA were too strong down the stretch, posting a 14 point win to level the season series at 1-1. Ray Allen continued his love afair with the Lakers, posting a triple double (18, 10 and 10), with six turnovers not enough to dampen a great performance. Rashard Lewis didn't suffer the usual hangover he has after a big game, posting 22 and five, while Ron Murray was the only other Sonic with double figures with 13 off the bench. Antonio Daniels started in place of the injured Brent Barry, having eight points and five assists, while Calvin Booth had eight rebounds. For the Lakers, it was Gary Payton against his old team with 24 points, and five assists. Bryant added 14, while Derek Fisher had 11 points a six steals off the bench. Shaquille O'neal in his come back only played 18 minutes, and had seven points and five rebounds. Overall it became clear that Seattle didn't have the legs to go with a fresher Lakers outfit, who to their credit showed that they could rely on their role players to get the job done. A positive sign for Seattle fans was to see Rashard Lewis follow up a strong game against Dallas with another leading role, such has consistency been a problem for him. <font size="1">Box Score courtesy of NBA.com.</font> Next Game: vs Kings, Sat Jan 31st
