<div align="center"> <font color="Blue">New Orleans Hornets</font> (1-10) @ <font color="Purple">Los Angeles Lakers</font> (7-6) Sunday, November 28th Time: 6:30 PM Location: STAPLES Center TV: FSN, NBATV HD Previous Games: Hornets @ Suns 95-86 L Kings @ Lakers 109-106 L Projected Starting Lineups HORNETS <font size="1">(Byron Scott)</font> <font size="1">(Darrell Armstrong, David Wesley, Lee Nailon, David West, PJ Brown)</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">(JR Smith, Tierre Brown)</font> Game MVPs <font size="1">(Lee Nailon, Chris Mihm)</font></div> Brandon's Analysis This game will be decided on two main factors: rebounding and turnovers. The Hornets, especially without Magloire due to a broken finger, could easily lose the rebounding game...and although it is said that the Lakers have trouble on the boards as well, it's mainly an issue of keeping teams away from the offensive glass, as the Lakers have been keeping up with other teams so far this year on defensive boards. The turnovers for Los Angeles could cause problems for them in this game. Wesley and Lynch are very capable of finishing strong on a bad turnover, something Atkins and Tierre want to avoid from the start of the game. Causing turnovers from the Hornets' penetrations will be a key for the Lakers, where Mihm will have to step in and either draw a charge, or create a bad passing situation for the guards, once in the lane. In this game, the Lakers should take advantage of PJ Brown. Odom will find that Brown rarely passes once given the ball, and with Odom's wingspan, Brown will have trouble getting around him for the basket...so keeping him farther from the hoop will not only keep his points low, but will also keep him from ripping offensive boards. However, if Brown is matched up with Mihm...it could be a long night against the "blocking machine" for the Lakers this season. Off the bench, expect to see JR Smith step on the court for a spark in the Hornets' offense. His shooting could put them back into the game at any given moment. Will we see Luke Walton? Possibly not...yet I believe his passing will definitely help us down the road, so maybe Rudy T will have a change of heart, and play Luke once the Lakers grab a strong lead tonight. Brandon's Prediction No Davis, no Magloire...the Hornets are in bad shape, and should definitely struggle thoughout the game. This one should be over by the 3rd quarter, with the Lakers winning, 95-80.
THe Hornets have none of their top 3 playing i see this as a runoff by the Lakers. I hope they can hold onto whatever they get
This should be an easy win for us. I hope that we don't get too cocky, and lose. Anything could happen. I expect Kobe to keep up his amazing performance, and my prayers go to Odom for a wonderful game we haven't seen yet. Odom is so much better than this. :/ Lakers take off with a strong lead, and hang onto it for an easy victory: 97-84.
a reason why ODom isnt being as agressive is that the refs are calling every little ticky tack foul on him and he cant do anything about it
This will be an easy win for the Lakers in my mind. the Hornets right now are a team with no confidence, and no real floor leader. The Lakers could easily take advantage of them with Kobe or Odom it is basically just a matter of picking your poison they can not get to confident though before the game or the Hornets may come back, and take advantage. As long as the Lakers keep the pressure on the Hornets all game should be a blow out.
this should be an easy win for the lakers, if they loose i will shoot my self, th hornets are the worst team in the league right now, and this should be an easy win, expect alot of dunks buy the lakers. lakers by 20! kobe wil have a huge game
Kobe is going to have a field day, he is going for 40+, Odom will get his typical 15 a game, Caron will get his. But we need to rebound well, and we cant play down to their level. This should be an easy blowout for us, I hope we take advantage of that..I think it will be 99-82
The Hornets will outrebound the Lakers but will struggle to score. Shouldnt be much of a defense struggle on either sides,maybe with the Hornets inside. Lakers should win though because they're alot stronger offensively.
I dont think Kobe will get 40 not that he cant but he wont be looking to score hes going to look to pass the ball and get caron and odom going this is the best game to get them going and start playin some team ball.
if the lakers dont win this game i will sport " I love my big red hot shaq daddy" for my sig for a week!!!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting yanix:</div><div class="quote_post">if the lakers dont win this game i will sport " I love my big red hot shaq daddy" for my sig for a week!!!</div> I'm quoting this, just in case you try and delete your post.
There is no reason why the Lakers shouldnt win this game.They are at home, and the Hornets are injury plauged team.You never know though an upset is always waiting to happen.
I think D Armstrong is going to cause a lot of Laker turnovers, so I expect another 5+ TO game from Kobe, but other than that, this game better be a breeze ... unfortunately, I'm not gonna be able to catch the game
I agree with pretty much all of you. It SHOULD be an easy win for us but usually these are the types of games that are the toughest. I am hoping that Butler and Odom have huge games(especially Odom) and it should be a game where the team could get comfortable with each other since it still is the beginning of the year. I think we'll win this one by 15.
By all means, the Lakers should win this. The Hornets are depleted right now with the loss of B-Diddy and Magloire, and quite frankly, without those two, they're in trouble. I think Kobe could have a field day tonight against the backcourt of Armstrong and Wesley. He could very easily light them up for 40 tonight. Odom also has the potential to go nuts tonight, especially if he uses his quickness and penetrates against a slower PJ Brown. All in all, I see the Lakers winning by at least 15 tonight.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Kobe 8 Ball:</div><div class="quote_post">Chick Hearn appreciation thread...greatest sports commentator ever...</div> It really made me miss him, he was so cool. I just could hear him saying in my head....The Jellos Jiggling, you know the rest.
