<div align="center">@ <font color="Purple">The Milwaukee Bucks (3-5)</font>@<font color="Purple">The Los Angeles Lakers (6-5)</font> Time: 7:30 PM Pacific Place: The Staples Center TV: Local</div> Head Coaches Terry Porter/Rudy Tomjanovich Projected Starting Lineups Backcourt Maurice Williams/Chucky Atkins Michael Redd/Kobe Bryant Frontcourt Keith Van Horn/Caron Butler Joe Smith/Lamar Odom Dan Gadzuric/Chris Mihm Key Bench Players Desmond Mason/Luke Walton Injury Report <u>Mil:</u> TJ Ford- Neck/Out Toni Kukoc- Hip/Out Zendon Hamilton- Knee/Out <u>LA: </u> Kobe Bryant- Foot/Probable Vlade Divac- Back/Out Jumaine Jones- Calf/Out Devean George- Ankle/Out <div align="center">Key Matchup Michael Redd/Kobe Bryant Redd: 25.2 points per game, 3.0 assists per game, and 4.9 rebounds per game Bryant: 27.9 points per game, 5.9 assists per game, and 7 rebounds per game</div> Keys to Win <u>Mil:</u> <ul> [*]Tight D- Kobe's shot has really struggled lately, continue to pressure him and make him take bad shots [*]Bench Play- Desmond Mason and company off of the bench should have it easy against the Lakers thin second unit, take advantage of that [*]2nd Shots- 2nd shots are always key for every team to win, its no different for the Bucks [/list] <u>LA: </u> <ul> [*]Kobe's Shot Decision- Kobe has stuggled from the field and has relied on getting to the line, he must take smart shots and drill his open shots [*]Tempo- The Lakers tend to play down to their opponent, they must play their own pace of game and keep the tempo they want, not the tempo the opponent wants [*]Kobe's Help- Chris Mihm and Caron Butler have been Kobe's most consistent help this year, Odom must step up his play and be more consistent, this is a perfect game for him to start. [/list] Kobe 8 Ball's Prediction The Bucks have struggled all year and I dont think they will be able to beat the Lakers. I take L.A. in this one by 7+ points.
Brandon's Analysis The Bucks aren't looking like the 2003 team, with their only three wins coming against Charlotte, New Orleans and Cleveland...but they are still a threat to beat a weaker defensive team. On the other hand, the Lakers, after struggling early to the Chicago Bulls, look to play a more aggressive game against the Bucks Tuesday night. Milwaukee needs to shoot for early leads with open shots and penetrations by Williams, who is having a stellar season so far for the Bucks. Michael Redd has been "on fire" this season, shooting 51% from the field and an astounding 47% from the arc, both career highs. The ball needs to be in his hands against the Lakers, who will more than likely leave him open while chasing down Williams and a quiet Van Horn, who can get easy jumpers with his off-the-ball play. The Lakers have to play this game with less turnovers, which has been one of the biggest factors in their inability to keep 10-20 point leads late into the game. Also, pulling down offensive rebounds may become a high priority if Kobe is forced to shoot out of a slump again, and could easily change both the pace and the momentum in a close game, in favor of the Bucks. Brandon's Prediction The Bucks will come out firing, and are expected to take a quick lead going into the second quarter. Kobe's game will elevate after the half, and the Lakers will take the lead into the 4th. Late in the 4th, expect another shooting spree by the Bucks, mainly from Redd and Van Horn...in which the Lakers will survive with Kobe and Atkins answering every shot, and eventually win the game, 101-97.
I have a feeling Van Horn is going to have a huge game, playing in front of his friends and family and all... I see the Lakers struggle early, but pull away in the 2nd half.
Mr. Bryant will contain Redd. The rest of the supporting cast need to step it up a notch. The Lakers seem to win when more than 4 players are in double digits.
Well there isnt much for me to say about the game. Its all said and done. I'll take the Lakers on this one cause of the better record. Lets hope that the Lakers will have a good game and not struggle against Redd. Lakers by at least 5
im gonna say that lakers will have a 15 point lead in the beginning of the 2nd...then by the 3rd theyll be down 2 and itll be up and down from there until the last minute. i think lakers will win 93-89
I think Kobe is making good game..atleast i hope he drops 29 or more points makes 7ast and 9 rebs and lakers wins about 8 points.Lakers biggest porblem is Redd atm put Kobe stops her and he make only 20 or less
The Lakers will win over the Bucks.LA In my opinion has more depth than the Bucks,and Kobe will have a good game tonight against Milwaukee. Lakers 96 Bucks 86
Tonight it's all about contribution from all five starters, crashing the boards taking a big rebounding edge over the Bucks, setting the tempo and use our transition game to our advantage, cutting down on turnovers which seems to never get adjustments on, DEFENSE most importantly, and better shot selections from the field. If we can do this for 48 minutes, I don't see why the Lakers don't win by a big margin tonight. I'm going with the Lakers by 12.
I would take Lakers on this game but the Bucks have lost 4 in a row so I'm betting they are looking to snap that streak today. Expect the Bucks to want this victory more than the Lakers. Bucks by 4.
The Bucks need to work hard on Kobe, making him shoot jumpers is key, once Kobe gets going by pentrating the D he is going to start scoring and his team will feed off him and vice versa, Desmond Mason will be able to keep up with Kobe because he is a solid defender, him and Michael Redd need to work together to keep the ball out of Kobe's hands. The Bucks should be hungry for a win, the Lakers have home feild advantage so they will be tough to beat.The Lakers are going to have to control the Bucks on the perimeter, they have players like Keith Van Horn, Michael Redd, and Mike James who can all shoot from the outside.I expect Kobe, Odom ,and Butler to have a big game as a trio. Lakers, 97-88
Vlade will play tonight. Im pretty sure he will see limited minutes to break him into the season and not rush him back from his injury, do you think he will be a factor at all tonight?
Karl Malone is at the game L.A. lookes good early getting some easy buckets and penetration, still very early though as the score is 9-7
Kobe has had 4 nice layups, is it more or is Kobe going back and forth with Desmond Mason? EDIT: DAMN Mason is on fire 7/7
