<div align="center"> <font color="Red">Los Angeles Clippers</font> (5-3) @ <font color="Purple">Los Angeles Lakers</font> (4-4) Wednesday, November 17th Time: 7:30 PM Location: Los Angeles TV: FSN, NBALP Previous Games: Raptors @ Clippers 101-89 W Lakers @ Rockets 84-79 W Projected Starting Lineups CLIPPERS <font size="1">(Mike Dunleavy Sr.)</font> <font size="1">(Marko Jaric, Corey Maggette, Bobby Simmons, Elton Brand, Chris Wilcox)</font> <font size="4">VS</font> LAKERS <font size="1">(Rudy Tomjanovich)</font> <font size="1">(Chucky Atkins, Kobe Bryant, Caron Butler, Lamar Odom, Chris Mihm)</font> Factors off the Bench <font size="1">(Rick Brunson, Brian Grant)</font> Game MVPs <font size="1">(Corey Maggette, Lamar Odom)</font></div> Brandon's Analysis The Clippers are doing surprisingly well this season, while the Lakers are struggling on the defensive end, and are doing everything possible to avoid careless turnovers. The big question mark for the Lakers is Kobe Bryant, who has been using an electro-stimulator and many treatments for his left foot, after being diagnosed with plantar fasciitis a few games back. Expect Bryant to play less minutes tonight, while Odom attempts to carry the load for the first time this season. With Kobe off the floor, Rudy T will have to make a big decision as to who will play the two guard...which will more than likely be Caron Butler, moving Odom down to SF and giving Brian Grant more playing time tonight against Brand. If the Clippers feed the ball into Brand, with Maggette's penetrations, this could be a long night for the Lakers. On the defensive end, the Clippers will have to contain Odom, who will more than likely take advantage of Simmons. For the Lakers, Mihm will have to body Wilcox and keep the paint closed tonight (for Brand and Maggette also) for the Lakers to come away with the victory. Rebounding, on both sides of the ball, should play a huge factor in this game. Brandon's Prediction If Kobe plays 35 minutes and shoots over 45%, the Lakers should barely escape with a win. However, if Kareem Rush comes in for Kobe for half of the game, expect a low shooting percentage for the Lakers as a team, and the Clippers pull away with a 9-point victory.
The Clippers have been one of the impressive teams early in the season with a 5-3 record. Now when these teams go head to head tonight, it's not just going to be an all Laker affair, the Clippers and their fans have something to play and cheer for as well. The main concerns I have is of course Kobe Bryant. Kobe really allowed me to breathe a sigh of relief scoring 41 points in the loss at Orlando, but he hasn't practiced these last two days, and who knows how many minutes he'll go tonight? We definitely don't want him to get his foot aggravated again, so it'll be critical for Rudy T to be very careful with him. With that said, Lamar Odom needs to have one of his biggest games of his career tonight. He's been a steady scorer with his double doubles in our earlier wins back in the 2-2 road trip, but we need something like a 30-12-5 night to make things a lot easier for Kobe to not put so much workload on himself, and to relieve himself off that foot injury. Of course the fundamentals is brutal. Crashing and owning a fair share of the glass, ball movement among our key possessions, better shooting percentage from the field in 48 minutes play, cutting down on turnovers, and most importantly defense. After giving up an embarrassing 122 to the Magic, we went into Houston and only allowed 79. That's something that must stay consistent. I'm going with the Lakers by 8 tonight. I'm calling a statement game for Lamar Odom.
i'll go with LA on this one. lol! kiddin aside, lakers should win this one. i hope that lakers lead big early so they can rest kobe bryant. lakers by 7, 91-84
@kobe_8 The problem now with the Lakers at the moment that they cant keep big leads. They seem to lose them in 3th and 4th quarter so no rest 4 Kobe yet. As said before here and in another topic Rush should wake up or something. We all know he can shoot well but he needs to prove it again. He needs to step up so that Kobe can get a break and not play 40min. Also this game will depend on the big men down low. Odom is gonna have a great game. I'll take the Lakers by at least 5
The Battle of the LA Teams...who happen to both be playing well this year,esp the Clippers. Anyways,The Clippers have been very impressive,so has the Lakers.however this game will be very contested and both teams will go back and forth with scoring.my prediction on the LA Battle will have the Lakers on top.somehow the Lakers will find a way to win. Lakers 88 Clippers 86
THe main factor off the bench for the Clippers is Livingston not Brunson. The Clippers need to pass the ball to Brand and Wilcox so they can take advantage of Mihm and Odoms weak D. Also Jaric has to have a good game like the last 2 he has had.
I'm hoping Kobe shoots it right ! Just look at my signature... Ball movement please, Kobe let's involve others for the first three quarters and you can take over in the last. Penetration is going to be a little tough for the Lakers as Brand is a tremendous shot blocker while big-body Wilcox is admirably filling it at the middle, clogging the inside lane.
I think we will lose, but I hope I am wrong. I cannot believe Kobe Bryants shooting. The guy is amazing, but he needs to take fewer and smarter shots, 10-15 shots is WAY more effective then say 15-35. My prediction, score wise: Los Angeles Lakers 89 - Los Angeles Clippers 96 Off topic: Kobe will never be as good as Jordan until he can shoot above 50% like Jordan did.
This years Clippers team is so exciting to watch (like when Darius was a Clipp), I can't decide which L.A. team i like more. 2nd quarter just started, Clippers don't really wanna play much D, and the Lake show doesn't seem to be too interested in rebounds.
Kobe already has 6 assists and we just started the 2nd quarter, if thats not leading your team and getting teamates scoring and into it. well i want to know you definition of leadership.
Just looked at the stats, he already has 8 assist actually. I wish I could watch this game. I have no access here. -.-;;
SICK! DUNK WHOO nice game man KObe with 23 points 11 assists 6 rebounds 5 steals!! 2 blocks monster game got the teammates involved nice game the Lakers have AwAkEn.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TheNextJordan8:</div><div class="quote_post">SICK! DUNK WHOO nice game man KObe with 23 points 11 assists 6 rebounds 5 steals!! 2 blocks monster game got the teammates involved nice game the Lakers have AwAkEn.</div> Kobe had a monster game, lets talk about Atkins, he had a huge game and came up huge for the lakers. man everyone on the lakers played good, damn.
Great shooting by Kobe, great stats, great everything. Steven A. Smith stated that the Clippers were going to make the playoffs...yet, the Lakers knocked them off their pedastal tonight. Now I'm awaiting to hear Barkley or Smith say that the Clippers are overrated.
The Clippers have had the defensive problem on the perimeter, Jaric can't keep up with anyone quick and allows too much penetration, and Maggette has only been playing okay defense. The return of Kittles and Kaman will help, anyone else think Kaman looks like an actor when he's sitting on the bench in street clothes.
