<div align="center"><font color="Purple"><font size="5">SEASON FINALE</font></font></div> <div align="center"> </div> <div align="center"><font color="Purple">Los Angeles Lakers </font> (55-26) @ <font color="Red">Portland Trail Blazers </font> (41-40) </div> <div align="center">Time: 7:00 p.m. PT Location: Rose Garden TV: KCAL, NBALP</div> Season Series: Blazers 2, Lakers 1 12/13/03 Blazers 112 Lakers 108 2/17/04 Lakers 89 Blazers 86 4/06/04 Blazers 91 Lakers 80 Previous Games: Warriors @ Lakers 109-104 W Spurs @ Blazers 78-66 L Last 10 Games: Lakers 7-3 (Won 1) Blazers 5-5 (Lost 3) Head Coaches: Phil Jackson/Maurice Cheeks Probable Starters: Gary Payton/Damon Stoudamire Kobe Bryant/Derek Anderson Devean George/Darius Miles Karl Malone/Zach Randolph Shaquille O'Neal/Theo Ratliff Sixth Men Kareem Rush/Shareef Abdur Rahim Injury Report Lakers Rick Fox Horace Grant Jamal Sampson Blazers Omar Cook Travis Outlaw Vladimir Stepania <div align="center">Players To Watch </div> <div align="center">Kobe Bryant & Zach Randolph</div> <div align="center">Bryant: 23.4 pts, 5.50 rebs, 5.0 assists, 1.73 steals Randolph: 20.1 pts, 10.40 rebs, 2.0 assists, .84 steals </div> Keys To The Game <u>Lakers</u> In order for the Lakers to end their season on a strong note and put pressure on the Kings for the division title, they'll have to do the following keys: The Lakers are coming off a 45 point performance by Kobe Bryant. I really feel that Phil Jackson will draw up enough gameplans in order for Kobe to receive as much attention as possible similar to Shaq on almost every possession. If Kobe doesn't find his range early in the game, it wouldn't hurt for him to pass the ball and be a better playmaker towards his teammates rather than clanking shots off the rim or committing ridiculous turnovers. Shaq will be looking forward to this finale because the last time these two met at Staples Center, Portland completely took Shaq out of his game by clearing him away from the basket and double teaming him. I look for Shaq to have his way with Ratliff, and to muscle his way to the basket. It's about time Shaq finishes strong in this finale so that he can jumpstart himself for the playoffs this weekend. Also, during the game, he has to stop making ticky-tac fouls. All the stupid reach in fouls that he does just allows him to stay in foul trouble, and it changes the Lakers style of play in so many ways. If this game turns into Laker dominance by halftime, watch for Phil Jackson to bring in our reserves. People like Walton, Cook, Russell and so on. It'll be important to see how they perform in the closing minutes of this game, and it'll decide who makes the playoff roster or not. <u>Blazers</u> If the Blazers want to win the final home game for their fans, and put a dent on the Lakers playoff seeding, they'll have to do the following keys : The Blazers in their previous game scored a low dismal 66 points. So the improvement must come from their backcourt. Damon Stoudamire and Derek Anderson must have a better shooting night from the field. As a team, in my opinion, they'll need to shoot no better than 50% to keep pace with the Lakers in their home finale. Get the ball to Zach Randolph. He had a huge game the last time these two met at Staples Center with his athletic ability to get to the basket, cleaning up the glass, and his ability to keep his team motivated. Since he's a huge candidate for the NBA's Most Improved Player, I'd expect him to go out on top in front of the Portland crowd in the last game of the year, and really try to dominate this game to impress the voters. Portland will have to do a decent job of keeping Shaq out of the paint and disrupting his game. They were very successful at doing that beack in Los Angeles, but doing it twice to Shaq seems impossible. Plus, if any man comes in Ratliff's direction, look for Ratliff to slap the ball back in his face. Laker Fever's Prediction The Lakers realize and understand that this is their season finale, and with themselves being a game behind the Kings for the Pacific Division crown, they'll do all they can to get this win tonight, and put pressure on Sacramento to beat the Warriors at this place. Portland has played the Lakers tough this season, but this game for the Lakers is a must win for a possible #2 seeding in the playoffs. Lakers by 7. ~LOOK OUT FOR MY PLAYOFF THREAD COMING NEXT WEEK
I think the Lakers will play hard tonight, because Sac. has been struggling lately, and if they lose to GS, and L.A. wins we have the 2 seed. All I can do is hope for that to happen, Nice preview. I thinkt he key is Shaq, he needs to show up to play, all the blame was put on Kobe in that loss to Sac, wasnt Shaq saying it was his team? I didnt see him produce much either. I take L.A. by 6
Which team will show up tonight, the Lakers or the Fakers? This game is a toss up in my opinion. Unfortunately for the Lakers, the Kings game is later, so they have the advantage on how they play the Warriors. So knowing this, will Phil Jackson rest his starters and experiment with his rotations, or will the Lakers approach this game with desperation? The Blazers have had our number all season, and they will try to play the role of spoiler. This is going to be a tough game, I'll take the Lakers by 3 if they win and play the starters the entire game, if they don't, the Blazers will win by 8.
Another tough game for the Lakers. I think it will be like the game from last night but not fall that much behind that early. But still a tough game, I got the Lakers by 5.
Lakers are playing from behind again in this game. They are trailing 45-50 at the half. They need to step up their transition defense in this game. Shaq and Miles lead their teams in scoring with 12 points each. The other big game, Kings lead the Warriors 23-18 in the first quarter.
Update ... Karl Malone is out for the 2nd half of the game after rolling his ankle. Good news Golden State now leads 34-28 in the 2nd quarter.
Devean George is now out of the game with a calf strain. Down by 5 in the early part of the 4th quarter. Very sloppy game by both teams, and the 2 Laker superstars are in foul trouble. At least Slava is playing great in this game, he's been the only bright spot.
YEAH! #8 makes an amazing shot to tie the game and force OT. After missing two free throws, Kobe got back on defense fouled Ruben Patterson, putting him on the line. Ruben missed 2 free throws and Kobe came down and busted a shot with Ruben all over him. OT Baby! Go Lakers.
Tied with 6 seconds left, looks like double OT for the Lakers. Warriors are up by 4 with 30 secs left in there game.
Wow, 2OT, this game is close. Kings lose by the way. A win for the Lakers will clinch the Pacific title.
aww, I'm from Chicago so it isnt televised here. Im follwoing it through NBA courtside Live. Im so antsy right now. I dont want the lakers to win, with home court they have an even bigger chance to dominate agaisnt the kings... oh no!
Wow, I'm in LA right now for a mini vacation, and watching this game is really interesting, especially since I'm a Wolves fan. The Lakers are an amazing team, and this game is so important that I'm loving the drama every second.
Romination, now you know why we love the Lakers so much. :mrgreen: Edit: Lakers win it!! Lakers win it!!
oh wow... two big time three pointers in one game.. talk about a clutch player. One to force overtime and one to end it in 2nd OT with a game winner... Unbelievable clutch player, you can't get any better than that... I've never seen anyone hit as many clutch shots as this guy, ever. How many games has he won with a buzzer beater this season? un...believable.
OMG! WOW! Kobe was amazing! You guys hopefully now send the Queens to a first round defeat against Dallas. Lol, Queens fans are scared now.
