@ Day/Date: Tueday 3/2/04 At: Philips Arena, Atlanta Time: 4:30 pm(PT) TV: Local Los Angeles Lakers: 37-20 Quick fact: Lakers have played great ball lately, their 7-1 since the break, and we have just seen a whole different team in the 2nd half. Shaq dominated last game vs the red hot Nets as he put up 19 points, and 14 rebounds. Atlanta Hawks: 19-40 Quick fact: Atlanta is 4-6 in their last and are only 4-11 in the month of Febuary. Since being cleared from all trades they are 1-4, with their 1 win coming against the Sixers. Probable Starters Frontcourt Shaquille O'Neal/Joel Przybilla Brian Cook/Chris Crawford Rick Fox/Stephen Jackson Backcourt Kareem Rush/Boris Diaw Gary Payton/Jason Terry Keys to the game <u>Lakers</u> <ul>[*]Feed the ball to Shaq, Hawks don't have what it takes to stop the Big Fella inside, wear them down.[/list] <ul>[*]LA has got solid bench production lately, which has been a key to the Lakers success, Fisher and Walton need to produce.[/list] <u>Hawks</u> <ul>[*]Shot selection will be a key for the Hawks, they will need to knock most of them down to hang in an offensive game against the Lakers.[/list] <ul>[*]Play with intensity, that's been a success for Atlanta this year as far staying in games, if they execute when it's most needed they can make a run at this game.[/list] <ul>[*]Make some kind of a battle occur inside against Shaq. Do whatever you can, double team him, foul him, but you can't just let him dominate or you will fall behind.[/list] Key Players Gary Payton --- Jason Terry The 'X' factor Do the Hawks have what it takes to contain the Big Fella? My predictions Ok, let's be realistic here. The keys to the game, and everything else was basically just to not embarrass the Hawks. They stand no chance in this game. Shaq will tear apart the Hawks frontcourt, while Payton does the same to the backcourt. Rush will even be a big part of this game. Just don't see this game being close at all. I expect the young guys to get the bulk of the minutes, and we'll be able to put it away in the 1st half. Lakers by 21 if they don't feel the need to toy with them.
I dont get whats wrong with boris diaw on the hawks. He should try to score more often with no one on that team except for terry now. Lakers by 16.
I don't think the Hawks will be a problem for the Lakers.They have been playing great recently.But the Hawks might surprise them and play well.I predict that Shaq will dominate in the paint because no one on Hawks team can stop him and the Lakers win by double digits.
Cook won't be starting.Crawford will dominate with 70 points,40 rebounds and 15 blocks Not It's obvious that LA will take this one and bench players will get a lot of minutes tonight.
Great preview PNG, These are just one of the games where you simply look at this 19-40 team and put a W next to it. Just like what you stated earlier in your facts, Shaq will completely tear up and destroy the Hawks frountcourt...(who's Joel Przybilla and Chris Crawford anyway?) Our backcourt of Gary and Kobe should be able to take advantage of the young, inconsistent Hawks' backcourt, and if this game gets out of hand early, look for our bench of Rush, Walton, Russell and Fisher to take over the remainder of the ballgame. Lakers by 21.
Nice Preview Purple. The Lakers can't inderestimate the Hawks they can put up a great challenge every once in a while. But I think the Lakers know this and will come in this strong and finish out even stronger. Lakers by 15+
Isn't Kobe going to miss this game because he's has to be in Eagle County?...either way, Lakers win big....
I also think the Lakers will win big in this game. They turned it up on the Nets, and I expect them to continue playing better defense as they prepare for the post season. Atlanta shouldn't be overlooked, but they just don't have the talent to compete against the Lakers. The Hawks also don't have much to play for except draft position, so I don't expect a strong effort for them in this game. They are expected to lose and they will get thrashed all night.
The Hawks have beaten some good teams this year and surprised a lot of people, but that was before they dealt Ratliff and Shareef. I don't see this game being much of a problem for us either, I think we'll go up by 25+ early and hand it to the bench for the 4th quarter. By the end of the game though, I expect a little smaller lead because our bench probably won't be working as hard as the Hawks bench, who is down by a lot. In the end, Lakers by 16.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting notMuchgame:</div><div class="quote_post">KCAL 9 news says Kobe is not expected to play tomorrow....</div> Alright, I'll fix that. I still think the Lakers will win big. I have a feeling Rush will produce big in this one.
I hope the Lakers come in with a destroy mentality. Like if they were playing against the Kings. Just end up beating em by more points then they score. Hawks score a alltime low of 48 points, and Lakers get 1 twizzy. But realisticly, Lakers by 20.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting notMuchgame:</div><div class="quote_post">Isn't Kobe going to miss this game because he's has to be in Eagle County?...either way, Lakers win big....</div> Yes, he was suppose to be in the same room as the "Victim" but they seem to of cancelled her appearance.
Nice Preview..BUt despite being a huge lakers supporter especially kobe We aren't going to win that easy..remember almost every time the lakers lose its against a shitty team..so maybe they are going to underestimate them and **** it up in the 1st half..but still lakers by 3
The last time the Lakers played the Hawks, the Hawks got their tails whooped 113-67. I know the Lakers will definitely wim this one tonight. Lakers by 10+.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting kobe0826:</div><div class="quote_post">Nice Preview..BUt despite being a huge lakers supporter especially kobe We aren't going to win that easy..remember almost every time the lakers lose its against a shitty team..so maybe they are going to underestimate them and **** it up in the 1st half..but still lakers by 3</div> Last time these two teams played, the Lakers beat them by the score of 113-67. Add up the points and tell me how much they lost by. BTW, why do you have that pic as your avatar?
