<div align="center"> Cleveland Cavaliers: 21-12 Los Angeles Lakers: 18-15 Date: Thursday, January 13th Time: 7:30 PM TV: TNT Previous Games: Bobcats @ Cavs 100-98 OT (WIN) Lakers @ Nuggets 95-83 (LOSS) <font color="darkred"><font size="1">(Coach Paul Silas)</font></font> C - <font color="darkred">Zyrundas Ilgauskas</font> (16.5 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 1.6 APG) PF - <font color="darkred">Drew Gooden</font> (13.8 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 1.6 APG) SF - <font color="darkred">LeBron James</font> (24.4 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 7.2 APG) SG - <font color="darkred">Ira Newble</font> (5.9 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 1.0 APG) PG - <font color="darkred">Jeff McInnis</font> (15.3 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 5.6 APG) <font size="4">VS</font> <font color="purple"><font size="1">(Coach Rudy Tomjanovich)</font></font> C - <font color="Purple">Chris Mihm</font> (10.9 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 0.7 APG) PF - <font color="Purple">Lamar Odom</font> (14.2 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 2.7 APG) SF - <font color="Purple">Caron Butler</font> (13.4 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 1.3 APG) SG - <font color="Purple">Kobe Bryant</font> (28.2 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 6.7 APG) PG - <font color="Purple">Chucky Atkins</font> (11.4 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 3.9 APG) CAVS - <font color="darkred">Anderson Varejao</font> Predicted Stats: 7 points, 5 rebounds, 0 assists LAKERS - <font color="purple">Tierre Brown</font> Predicted Stats: 8 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists CAVS - <font color="darkred">LeBron James</font> Predicted Stats: 29 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists LAKERS - <font color="purple">Kobe Bryant</font> Predicted Stats: 30 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists</div> The second best team in the Eastern Conference visits STAPLES tonight to take on the Los Angeles Lakers. In many people's eyes, this isn't Cavs vs. Lakers; it's more like, eh...LeBron vs. Kobe, maybe? I mean, who isn't awaiting this matchup? Kobe is stronger and more dominant than previous years, and LeBron is more experienced and playing better than 98% of the players in the league...as a second year player. This collision should be something to watch. The Lakers are a great rebounding team...defensive boards, especially. How does that fare against the Cavs? Well, Cleveland's front court (Big Z, Gooden, and James) are all very good rebounders. Tonight, the Lakers will be lucky if they blow out the Cavs on the glass. Mihm had a 17-board game the other night, which is honestly surprising, since he's averaging a mediocre 7 a game (for our starting center). Odom is doing fantastic, so look for another 10+ night on the glass for him. One thing the Lakers do not want to do is let LeBron work his magic early. What exactly do I mean? Driving and penetrating...dishing the ball out to everyone that's in a wine-colored jersey...pretty much dominating the ball, but with consistency. Caron may be on him most of the game...but you'll definitely see the LeBron/Kobe matchup tonight. The defender, whoever it may be, needs to force LeBron to his left and close the lane quickly, making him shoot a jumper in traffic. Do this...and then worry about his eyes and passing. Odom and Gooden should be a good matchup, where Lamar needs to get physical and use his strength to manhandle Gooden in the post (is it possible?) and bring him out past the wing and drive to the hoop. Odom can do this...but it's a matter of attacking hard and not backing down that Lamar seems to have trouble with. If Odom can take advantage of Varejao when he's in the game, he may not have to attempt to pound into Drew Gooden after Varejao leaves the floor. Otherwise, it's going to be a long night for LO. Atkins and Tierre...where's the D? McInnis isn't among the elite point guards in the NBA, but he will throw dimes all night long if Atkins/Tierre are caught sleeping on the defensive end. If the Atkins Diet scores over 15 in this game, you could see Snow out to defend him on the perimeter. If Chucky's wrist isn't hitting shots, expect 25+ threes from the Lakers. This game should be fun to watch. It's not really hyped...at least not to my knowledge...but you can expect to see replays of it in your Top 10 on SportsCenter Thursday morning. The Cavs will get help from their bench in this game...especially from Varejao and Traylor, possibly Snow, but the Lakers should win this one at home, 95-91.
Although both teams are doing very well and have exceeded expectations (Yes, even LA), but everyone is looking at this game as Kobe vs LeBron, a battle between the league's best guards. LA got the home court advantage, which seem to help them in the big games (Except the Heat game). I predict a very close game and LeBron's first career triple-double.
This will be an interesting matchup, Kobe and Lebron haven't had a matchup yet have they [they had a short matchup but Kobe got injured in the game, Kedrick Brown attack]. . Kobe said Lebron's more of the passer, while he's more of the scorer, and after the Lakers lost to Denver I see a big game from #8 scoring wise. I think Cleveland takes this one, I see Kobe going out to beat out Lebron, but I don't see the rest of the Lakers coming out with the same fire, and Lebron will also have just as good a game overall while coming out with the win. Cavs 101 - Lakers 96 Kobe has something like 30-7-5 and Lebron 27-7-8
This should be a great game and a great match up. LeBron is the wonder boy of the league and whenever he plays an elite player like Kobe Bryant it's going to be hyped. I expect the Cavs to win this one. The only way the Lakers will win is if they hang in the game, because I feel as if Kobe is going to have a tough game. If the Lakers hang tough they'll have a chance to win the game in the clutch, but if not I see the Cavs wining this one, 99-88.
Kobe went down with an ankle injury, not sure the current situation, but he got injured last time they played too, so I guess this matchup isn't supposed to happen.
Ah with LA's wonderboy not in the game, I expect the Cavaliers to smell blood while they have a chance. Great 1st quarter by JMac and Z. Z will have his way all night.
Wow kobe twisted his ankle pretty bad..they say the xrays r negative though. Hopefully odom can fit in well in the system
Kobe: Severe Ankle Sprain <font color="Red">Kobe will have an MRI tom. They said it was a Severe Ankle Sprain, & possibly torn ligaments.</font> Lakers fans better pray that they had taped him up real tight, b/c I had a similar ankle sprain and I tore multiple ligaments. I was on crutches for three weeks. Kobe having to be carried off the court shows that it's pretty bad. Hopefully for L.A. he won't be out too long. Lamar Odom will have to take over.
Let me shine some light on you guys who don't know about the ankle sprain..a severe one is the worst you can get, 3rd degree, often requires surgery, often ending seasons...he rolled his ankle in and then out, or vice versa, which almost guaruntees some ligament tears, which will require surgery..don't be shocked if we lose Kobe for the years..c'mon Lamar.. On a brighter note, Sasha Vujacic better get more time, I love what I have seen from him so far, better pg than Atkins.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Kobe 8 Ball:</div><div class="quote_post">Let me shine some light on you guys who don't know about the ankle sprain..a severe one is the worst you can get, 3rd degree, often requires surgery, often ending seasons...he rolled his ankle in and then out, or vice versa, which almost guaruntees some ligament tears, which will require surgery..don't be shocked if we lose Kobe for the years..c'mon Lamar.. On a brighter note, Sasha Vujacic better get more time, I love what I have seen from him so far, better pg than Atkins.</div> dont be serious PLEASEEEEEEEe anything watchin the game on tv? they say anything about his ankle? is he ok!?!? omggggggggg
You can't tell how long Kobe will be out until the MRI. It's possible that there are No torn ligaments. Just have to wait and see. From someone that has had this same injury, IT SUCKS!! He will definitely be out for some time. But now a days the recovery speed is double or triple with top athletes!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting thisbejgz:</div><div class="quote_post"> dont be serious PLEASEEEEEEEe anything watchin the game on tv? they say anything about his ankle? is he ok!?!? omggggggggg</div> ^ It's on National TV. Turn on TNT.
Go Lakers! Caron had some nice moves.... Its the ODOM show.... Kobe dont be seriously injured please!
By the way fellas, by medical definition a sprain is a tearing injury to a ligament. Any sprained ligament is a torn ligament. Just depends how much it is torn.
Oh btw, did anyone hear the TNT reporter when Kobe injured his ankle? "Kobe will have a M.I.R. soon."
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting rocky votolato:</div><div class="quote_post">Oh btw, did anyone hear the TNT reporter when Kobe injured his ankle? "Kobe will have a M.I.R. soon." </div> ??? I dont get it lol. I didnt see it maybe thats why i dont understand.
