<div align="center">@ <font color="green">The Seattle Supersonics (28-11)</font> @ <font color="purple">The Los Angeles Lakers (22-16)</font> Time: 7:30 PM Pacific Place: Staples Center TV: FSN, NBALP</div> <div align="center"><font size="5"><font color="green">Sonic's Head Coach</font></font> <font color="green">Nate McMillan</font></div> <div align="center"><font size="5"><font color="green"> Sonic's Projected Starting Lineup</font></div></font> <div align="center"> <font color="green">(Luke Ridnour, Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis, Reggie Evans, Jerome James) </font></div> <div align="center"><font size="5"><font color="purple">Laker's Head Coach</font></font> <font color="purple">Rudy Tomjanovich</font></div> <div align="center"><font size="5"><font color="purple">Lakers's Projected Starting Lineup</font></font> <font color="purple">(Chucky Atkins, Sasha Vujacic, Caron Butler, Lamar Odom, Chris Mihm)</font> </div> <div align="center"><font size="5">Bench Factors</font> (<font color="green">Antonio Daniels</font>,<font color="purple">Jumaine Jones</font>) </div> <div align="center"><font size="5">Key matchup</font> (<font color="green">Rashard Lewis</font>, <font color="purple">Caron Butler</font>) <font color="green">Rashard Lewis:</font> 20.8 ppg, 1.0 apg, and 5.6 rpg <font color="purple">Caron Butler:</font>14.1 ppg, 1.5 apg, and 5.6 rpg</div> <font size="5">Keys to the Game</font> <font color="green">Utah:</font> <ul> [*]Ray Allen- Ray Allen won't be able to renew his rivalry with Kobe in this one because of Kobe's injury, so Ray must take it to Sasha early. Make Sasha pay for his lack of experience in the league, Ray wants a contract...what a better game than to explode for a huge outting. [*]Stop Lamar- Lamar is taking lead of this Laker team with Kobe out. He has gone one on one with KG and won, and hit other clutch shots. If you can isolate him early and get him in early foul trouble, the Sonics are half way to a W. [*]Luke Ridnour- This kid is amazing everyone this year. His averages may not be allstar level, but they are great for a role player. No one thought this kid would come in here and do what he has done. He must stop Chucky Atkins, who has been on a tear lately. [/list] <font color="purple">Los Angeles:</font> <ul> [*]Caron V. Rashard- Rashard Lewis has torn up opponents this year, he is playing like an all star. Caron Butler can play good D, he must bring his top defensive game in this one. [*]Stay Out of Foul Trouble- This is for Lamar, he is our star and key player while Kobe is out, if he gets in foul trouble that puts a lot more weight on Caron and Chucky. Lamar can't make stupid fouls. [*]Bench Play- We are going to need a good game from Jumaine Jones. The Sonics team is an amazing 3 point shooting team, we need to counter that with 3 point shooting of our own. [/list] <font size="5"> Prediction</font> This game should be a fast paced one. I still like L.A. in this one though, they have won without Kobe. I look for Lamar and Caron to have 20 pt games. I take L.A. in a close one...105-102.
Well, as much as I don't like to root for them, I'm rooting for the Lakers in this one. I think, as a T'Wolve fan, our best shot is to go after the division win and the more Seattle loses, the better our chances at going after the division lead. We beat them the last time we played them, which was on Friday. The Lakers are without Kobe once again, but thus far, they havn't been bad at all without him. I think Odom can reak some havoc in this game, and I do see the Lakers winning. Lakers-102 Sonics-98
man..i dont see us winning this they just shoot way 2 good, and we suck in defense.. How much i'd have loved us 2 win..we just won't..and i fear it's gonna be a blow-out game.. Seattle 122 Lakers 95
No blow out game at all. This game is ours. We will win this game. Lamar will step up and his all-star status that we all saw last year in Miami. Caron will have great defense on Rashard. Chucky is hot right now and hopefully will continue doing this. Lakers win by at least 5.
Nice preview Kobe 8 Ball. You just need to edit Keys to the Game from Utah to Seattle. I agree with you 100% on the key matchup. Caron Butler has to match the offensive numbers Shard puts up if the Lakers are going to stand a chance in this game. The Lakers have had plenty of days to prepare for the Sonics, so they should have a solid game plan for tonight. The question is if they can execute it, and finally get a win over a top team in the West. The player who worries me in this game is Antonio Daniels off the bench. He's been on fire the last few games for the Sonics, and he's going to have a huge edge over the Lakers backup, Tierre Brown. Can the Lakers finally win 3 in a row this season? My prediction, Seattle wins a close game 112-105. The Sonics shoot the ball, too well from the perimeter, and the Lakers are one of the worst in the league at defending it. There's been no signs of the Sonics cooling off from behind the arc, and with the ability of Ridnour and Daniels to drive and kick, the Lakers are going to get lit up from 3point land. The Lakers will keep it close by controlling rebounds and getting a lot of second chance opportunities. The Sonics will pull it out with clutch free throw shooting at the end.
Biggest game of the 1st Half? <div class="quote_poster">Quoting kobe0826:</div><div class="quote_post">man..i dont see us winning this they just shoot way 2 good, and we suck in defense.. How much i'd have loved us 2 win..we just won't..and i fear it's gonna be a blow-out game.. Seattle 122 Lakers 95</div> Tonights game is the biggest game of the 1st half and will be a barometer of the whole season. The Lakers are without Kobe, but are rested and have had four games to work on playing without #8. Is Chucky for real, Caron ready for the next step, and will Odom step up to play like an All Star? Seatle is a top five team from the West and if we don't win this game at home and rested, it means are depth is not up to playoff level. Do we have four guys who are going to stand around and watch for Kobe or can they play the game and play defense that's needed come playoffs. A lot of questions will be answered tonight. GO LAKERS!
Radman came off the bench and lit the Lakers up from all over the court. The Sonics went on a mini-run to close out the half and lead 57-51. Caron Butler hasn't been much of a factor after getting into foul trouble and only playing 15 minutes. The Lakers started off the game aggressive and attacking the rim, but the Sonics got back in the game when the Lakers stopped moving around on offense and settled for more jumpshots. The 3rd quarter is going to be big for the Lakers, they need to close the gap in the score, and still have energy heading into the 4th quarter. 3-point count is at 34 for both teams. *Tony Bobbitt finally got on the court for the Lakers
Lakers didn't close out the first half very well. but they are hanging tight. I want this win so baad! What a confidence booster!
Let's see, you let Radman torch you in the 1st half, and now he's doing it again in the 2nd half. Where are the damn defensive adjustments? The Sonics continued their streak through the 3rd quarter outscoring the Lakers 26 to 17 and now lead by 15 points and are well on their way to a romp at Staples Center. The Lakers are worried more about the whistles than the game and the Sonics are taking full advantage of it.
