<div align="center"> </div> <div align="center"><font color="Orange">Phoenix Suns </font> (4-0) @ <font color="Purple">Los Angeles Lakers </font> (3-2) </div> <div align="center">Time: 7:30 p.m. Location: Las Vegas (Thomas and Mack Center at UNLV) TV: KCAL Previous Games: Clippers @ Lakers 113-102 W Jazz @ Suns 108-67 W Starting Lineups SUNS <font size="1">(Mike D'Antoni)</font> <font size="1">(Steve Nash, Joe Johnson, Shawn Marion, Amare Stoudemire, Jake Voskuhl)</font> <font size="4">VS</font> LAKERS <font size="1">(Rudy Tomjanovich)</font> <font size="1">(Chucky Atkins, Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom, Brian Grant, Chris Mihm)</font> Factors off the Bench <font size="1">(Leandro Barbosa, Brian Cook)</font> Game MVPs <font size="1">(Amare Stoudemire, Brian Grant)</font></div> Brandon's Analysis The Lakers are faced with a tough decision as to who to play at the four...between Brian Grant (body) or Lamar Odom (agility). If Amare Stoudemire serves as the matchup at the power forward spot, the Lakers are more than likely going to play Brian Grant (which is the most reasonable possibility). An aspect that the Lakers are going to have to expose in this game is the ability to play tough defense and read passes driven directly into the lane. The Suns will have to contain Kobe Bryant's perimeter shooting in this game, but hopefully (for Suns fans), his defender is NOT Quentin Richardson, who hasn't been displaying average defense since his first day in the league. Chris Mihm will have to position quickly for every rebound, and be prepared for a physical game against Amare, who will (more than once) take the ball to the hoop past his defender, to meet Mihm at the net. Nash may have an easy game tonight, especially with effective penetrations against the smaller Atkins. Bet on Nash pulling up a few threes also, as the Suns may feel like they have an advantage on the boards against Mihm and Grant. A tendon in Caron Butler's finger could keep him out of the game, or at least for part of it...which leaves us with one less defender. This calls for a solid game from Jumaine Jones, who has been impressive as of late in the pre-season. Brandon's Prediction Unfortunately, the Suns have been on a rampage since the beginning of pre-season, and I have a feeling that it may continue tonight against our Lakers. Our frontcourt will struggle against the Suns, as well as Atkins and the backup guards. Expect a strong game from Kobe and good numbers from Tierre Brown and Brian Cook, but no more. Odom still has to find his role on the team, and playing both the three and the four will affect his game tonight, against both Marion and Amare. Suns will more than likely run off with this game, 93-81.
i have a good feeling about the game. Kobe is going to step it up and score about 40 points plus. lakers by 6
I think the Lakers will play very well in spurts but come up short in the end. The main thing is to find the right combination of players to dial in the right team chemistry. Even in a loss this game will really help the Lakers. 94-88
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting yanix:</div><div class="quote_post">i have a good feeling about the game. Kobe is going to step it up and score about 40 points plus. lakers by 6</div> Nope he scored 12 Pts but look at Grant with 22Pts. WOW Every player who stepped in the court last night score, even Luke with one. http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/boxscore?gid=2004102413
Excellent win by our Lakers last night. But in this win, I'm still concerned with Caron Butler and Lamar Odom. On the offensive side of things, they're still not getting the job done from the field, and I'm worried if this will carry on to opening night against the Nuggets? But I do see some bright spots. Chris Mihm did an excellent job with his consistent scoring with 15, and did his best battling in the low post, a big up's to Brian Grant who I never thought would be our leading scorer with 22 with a contagious scoring touch, and for our final roster spot which I believe should be Tierre Brown played exceptionally well. Two more preseason games to go, and I'm juiced up and ready to welcome back the real Laker squad for the 2004-05 season.
Odom and Butler are not doing so well, but Im not too concerned. The chemistry looks to be coming together, the team is playing great "TEAM BALL", and our team is winning games. This season is going to be awesome. No more pass to shaq or Kobe. Its going to be a team effort all the way.
^ Butler did great tonite...he onlyed played the first quarter, and had 18 points on 3-4 FGs, and a ton of free throws..
