<div align="center"> <font color="Red">Chicago Bulls</font> (0-7) @ <font color="Purple">Los Angeles Lakers</font> (5-5) Sunday, November 21st Time: 6:30 PM Location: Los Angeles TV: FSN, NBALP Previous Games: Bulls @ Nuggets 99-81 L Lakers @ Suns 107-102 L Projected Starting Lineups BULLS <font size="1">(Scott Skiles)</font> <font size="1">(Kirk Hinrich, Eric Piatkowski, Andres Nocioni, Tyson Chandler, Eddy Curry)</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">(Luol Deng, Luke Walton)</font> Game MVPs <font size="1">(Kirk Hinrich, Kobe Bryant)</font></div> Brandon's Analysis The Bulls are winless so far this season, with an 0-7 start. The Lakers are coming off a loss to Phoenix, but not before putting up a fight. Kirk Hinrich will have to lead this team from the first quarter, and try to pull away with a halftime lead before the Bulls even think about winning this game. Luol Deng's numbers have somewhat dropped, but he should be a scoring threat off the bench tonight for Chicago, along with Ben Gordon, who may run into trouble against Kobe Bryant late into the game. If Hinrich doesn't have more than 8 assists, with a few of them to Eddy Curry, the Bulls won't even come close to a victory. The Lakers will have to focus on keeping the lead, and keeping the Bulls under 100 points, which should be an easy task for Los Angeles...who are 5-0 holding opponents under 100, yet losing the other five games this season as their opponents broke the 100-point total. Butler should take a fair amount of shots in this game, being matched up with Nocioni, who sometimes seems to be lost on defense. Brandon's Prediction Chicago won't be happy playing against the Lakers at STAPLES, especially when Los Angeles gains momentum early in the game. Look to see the Bulls' shooting percentage in the 30's in this game, as the Lakers run away with this one, 97-82.
My Prediction: 97-78. Lakers win. I have a feeling that the Lakers will play good tonight. And i'm hoping that Kobe can shoot over 50% and stay agressive.
The only players the Lakers have to worry about are Luol Deng and Kirk Hinrich, if one of them lights it up it could be game right there. We have a lock at the SG, SF, PF spots because our players our better and the C is a throw up Mihm could have a big game or could not. Lakers by 6+.
Perhaps the Lakers will underestamate (hope i spelled it correctly) the Bulls. No game is ever won easy. Not even against a team that is 0-7 but still I hope that the Lakers will stay focused and win by at least 20.
I'm a big Bulls fan and all, along with the Lakers of course, but, I see no chance for the Bulls. The Lakers are playing good, despite the loss. They had a huge lead, but couldn't hold on to it. I think the Lakers will bounce back and crush the Bulls. Chi-town has answer for Kobe, and quite frankly, no one to guard him either. He's gonna have a big game against a combination of Nocioni/Deng/Gordon/Piatowski, and whoever else they throw at him. I predict the Lakers winning by 15, Kobe has a big game, hell, maybe even another triple double.
Nice preview! Let's hope the Lakers can take a big lead and HOLD ON TO IT, for once. The Lakers will be looking to rebound after a tough loss to the Suns and get back to playing above .500. The Lakers have had problems with the Bulls in the past, but I don't see a let down at Staples center. The Lakers have to be flawless against the weaker teams in the league, because they have yet to beat a strong Western Conference team. I'm sure they would like to get some momentum before their matchup against the Kings on Friday. This is an important stretch for the Lakers because they have a chance to rack up on W's with their next 7 games. They face off against Chicago (0-7), Milwaukee (3-4), Sacramento (5-4), New Orleans (0-8), Milwaukee (3-4), Chicago (0-7), Golden State (2-8). The Kings are the only team playing .500 or better so the Lakers need to go at least 5-2 on this stretch to keep up with the Suns. My prediction Lakers by 12.
The Lakers should have no problem with this if they can shoot and move the ball around well. I think Kobe will shoot well tonight, he needs to get his shot on track and this game will help him I think. I take L.A. by 15+, they should blow them out.
I'm not very happy with Kobe playing in this game. Kobe's foot is still bothering him, and I'm not so sure why he's trying to play through the injury. This is one of the problems I have with him, really... What he needs to do is take a few games off, use the electro stimulator on his foot as much as possible, and then return to the court when he is healed up. We have a few easy games ahead of us...no better time than to start now.
The Lakers play is pathetic! They came out flat in this game and have not matched the energy of Deng, Hinrich, and Gordon off the bench for the Bulls. Speaking of bench, our bench has not shown up again for us. The Lakers have so many match up advantages in this game, but they aren't taking advantage of any of them. Kobe should be posting up and Odom should be on the high post because there's no chance of Chandler or any other Chicago big to handle his footwork. Rudy T where are your halftime adjustments?
Kobe's got Shaq-itis ... damn, 6-15 freethrow shooting .. .. now he's going to the line again EDIT: 1st one good 2nd one good!!!! lol , 8-17 now
Scott Skiles needs to be fired for starting Nocioni over Deng, I didn't think It would be possible for a guy to get rookie of the year and 6th man of the year all in one season but Luol may just pull It off.
