@ Day/Date: Tueday 3/2/04 At: Philips Arena, Atlanta Time: 4:00 pm(PT) TV: Local Los Angeles Lakers: 41-22 Quick fact: Lakers are without Kobe, but down the stretch have still managed to play solid ball, despite the loss to the Hawks. LA are 7-3 in their last 10. Boston Celtics: 28-36 Quick fact: Celts have struggled pretty much the whole season, but have gotten a hot streak going, and this team finally looks like their ready to make a playoff push. As of now, their still only 6-4 in their last 10, but have won 6 in a row. Probable Starters Frontcourt Shaquille O'Neal/Mark Blount Brian Cook/Brandon Hunter Rick Fox/Jiri Welsch Backcourt Kareem Rush/Paul Pierce Gary Payton/Chucky Atkins Keys to the game <u>Lakers</u> <ul>[*]Feed the ball to Shaq, Celtics don't have what it takes to stop the Big Fella inside, wear them down.[/list] <ul>[*]With Kobe and Malone out, it will be key for LA to get solid bench production.[/list] <ul>[*]Guard the perimeter, Celts have a few guys that can hurt you from there, especially from the 3 pt line. Get a hand in their face, and they should be fine.[/list] <u>Celtics</u> <ul>[*]Work the ball in and out, and create open shots from behind the arc.[/list] <ul>[*]Try to get Shaq into foul trouble, that's the only way to get out of him dominating, make some kind of battle occur inside.[/list] <ul>[*]Take smart shots, defensivley Lakers slack off at times, and if your able to run the court instead of letting them set-up in defense, it could be a huge advantage for the Celts.[/list] Key Players Shaquille O'Neal --- Paul Pierce The 'X' factor Do the Celtics have what it takes to contain the Big Fella? My predictions I'll take the Lakers by 3 in a nailbiter. They have not played well on the road, and without Kobe, I don't see them taking this one easily at all. Celtics have been a hot team lately and if they get the fast break going and find holes in the Laker defense early, then this could go either way. However, I think it will be close throughout the whole game, but the role players will step up for us and get the key stops defensivley. Execution has been a problem for Boston, and down the stretch in a game vs a team like the Lakers, I don't think they will be able to hang.
Great Preview Purple N Gold, I'm going with the Lakers by 4 in this one. And in order for them to earn this victory, just like you said, they must feed the ball inside to Shaq. Allow him to wear them down, dominate, and take out all frustration from his ejection Monday night. Secondly, I feel Kareem Rush can have a better game than just 10 pts Monday. He's knocking down his left handed shot with confidence, and he is very capable of lighting it up at any given night only if he can a better plan of shot selections. We need Gary to equal his performance of 21 pts. We're going to need as much offense neccessary to beat this team because Boston is gonna bring everything they have. Lastly, the Lakers must guard the perimeter. They live and die behind the arc.
Nice preview, I think the Lakes should win this, but the Celtics have just been Hot lately, they could beat us...I think we need to feed Shaq, I think he will be pissed he was tossed last game..I am calling Lakers by 5
Halftime at the Fleet Center: Lakers: 68 Celtics: 60 Leading Scorers: Payton: 6/10 14 pts Rush: 6/9 14 pts Bryant: 2/5 10 pts (yes if you haven't heard Kobe is playing and wearing a harness) O'Neal: 3/7 8 pts
yes i have a bet on this game and its looking like i might win, it is great seeing kobe back. gp is having a good game along with kobe and shaq
Heroic performance by Kobe. Even though he didn't shoot well, he still dropped 10 dimes in a surprising game back from him. Hope Malone can be back as soon as he is fully healthy!
Great game by the Lakers. Kobe played a good game considering his shoulder was in a harness. Shaq was dominant also. If I'm correct, I don't believe he missed after half time. Plus, Kareem Rush was great off the bench scoring 17 points in just 22 minutes of playing time. I do believe that is efficiency.
Excellent performance by our Lakers as we went into Boston and ended their winning streak at six games. And what a surprise return by Kobe Bryant only missing two games to his shoulder injury when the report was he'd at least miss up to a month. Are there still gonna be more Kobe haters out there? The Laker offense was just well balanced all around from the Shaq Diesel scoring 28 pts on 11/15 shooting..he was just a force, nobody could stop him. Just the typical, dominant Shaq. Gary payton scoring 20 on 8/14 shooting. His second game in which he scored 20 or more points. Now maybe Gary can stop whining and play some ball. Kobe Bryant who contributed 18. Even though he had an off night, his presence on the floor just boosted the confidence of this ailing team, and much love to Kareem Rush. 17 pts off the bench. Is there any other Laker fan out there that trusts his left-handed stroke? And I'm also happy to say Karl Malone will be back tomorrow night against the Timberwolves, and Karl IT'S ABOUT TIME!!!
