<div align="center">@ <font color="red">The Portland Trailblazers (17-25)</font> @ <font color="purple">The Los Angeles Lakers (23-19)</font> Time: 7:30 PM Pacific Place: Staples Center TV: FSN, NBALP</div> <div align="center"><font size="5"><font color="red">Blazer's Head Coach</font></font> <font color="red">Maurice Cheeks</font></div> <div align="center"><font size="5"><font color="red"> Blazer's Projected Starting Lineup</font></div></font> <div align="center"> <font color="red">(Nick Van Exel, Damon Stoudamire, Ruben Patterson, Zach Randolph, Theo Ratliff) </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, Caron Butler, Jumaine Jones, Lamar Odom, Chris Mihm)</font> </div> <div align="center"><font size="5">Bench Factors</font> (<font color="red">Joel Przybilla</font>,<font color="purple">Brian Cook</font>) </div> <div align="center"><font size="5">Key Matchup</font> (<font color="red">Zach Randolph</font>, <font color="purple">Lamar Odom</font>) <font color="red">Zach Randolph:</font> 19.9 ppg, 2.0 apg, and 10.0 rpg <font color="purple">Lamar Odom:</font>14.9 ppg, 3.3 apg, and 10.2 rpg</div> <font size="5">Keys to the Game</font> <font color="red">Portland:</font> <ul> [*]Randolph- Zach Randolph should give Lamar Odom some problems. He is much bigger than Lamar and should be able to pound him all night, see if he can get Lamar in early foul trouble. [*]Bench- Their bench is really shallow at the moment due to injuries/suspensions. Their available bench needs to have huge games, be very productive for them. [*]2nd Chance Points- Zach Randolph needs to power his way to atleast 4 offensive boards and Theo Ratliff needs to be all over the glass, 2nd chance points will be huge for the Blazers in this one. [/list] <font color="purple">Los Angeles:</font> <ul> [*]Get Another Win- The Lakers beat the Bobcats to end their 3 game slide, they should be able to easily beat the Blazers. This is an easy game, they should be able to add another W to their win column. [*]Caron and Chucky- Caron Butler and Chucky Atkins have been our two most consistent players since Kobe's injury. They both are stepping up in Kobe's absence and filling the shoes for Lamar. Keep it up. [*]Lamar- This quite possibly could be his biggest game as a Laker. He is going up against Zach Randolph, a possible all star. Lamar needs to show up for this game if he wants to install confidence in his Laker teammmates. [/list] <font size="5"> Prediction</font> Simple. Lakers win another one, 102-94.
Prediction Simple. Lakers win another one, 102-94. ha^ you that confident bro? i don't see why. i mean, your acting like Kobe is playing the Lakers are weak as hell without him, they struggle with the Bobcats.. you think the Blazers are worse than Charlotte? Portland just defeated the Clippers with the same "shallow" lineup.. just learn basketball bro, thats all i ask
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Da_Future_2k5:</div><div class="quote_post">Prediction Simple. Lakers win another one, 102-94. ha^ you that confident bro? i don't see why. i mean, your acting like Kobe is playing the Lakers are weak as hell without him, they struggle with the Bobcats.. you think the Blazers are worse than Charlotte? Portland just defeated the Clippers with the same "shallow" lineup.. just learn basketball bro, thats all i ask</div> I am that confident, it has nothing to do with my basketball knowledge "bro" The Lakers are coming into this one coming off of possibly a season saving win against the Bobcats (sounds pathetic, I know) and will be looking to gain on their wins...they will come in here and play necessary basketball to win..just my opinion..no need to jump down my throat.
Mihm = Pryzbilla (even) Odom = Randolph (even) Jones < Patterson (Ruben is too strong for Jumaine) Butler < Van Exel (Butler coming off a great game and Ruben will contain him, dont expect another big game out of Caron... Van Exel torching his former team, look towards that) Atkins < Stoudamire (this is what you wont agree with, but Mighty Mouse has been on a complete tear, i know Chucky has been playing great too but he's not as good as Damon) Main Bench Players: Theo Ratliff, Sebastain Telfair, Travis Outlaw vs. Brian Cook, Briant Grant, Tierre Brown i dont really see an advantage for the Lakers there?? Telfair will shock the Lakers with his amazing speed, expect a big game. so to say this is an EASY win, is just dumb
No win is easy for the Lakers, but I think they will win a close game against the Blazers tomorrow night. On paper Portland has looked better than most teams for the last 10 years, but with all their talent they've never been able to put it together. They currently have team chemistry problems again, the latest being Miles blowing up at Mo Cheeks. Last year the team was basically divided on two sides, those Pro-Cheeks vs. Anti-Cheeks. I imagine it's the same situation again this year. The Lakers have their own problems, but chemistry wise they are fine and it will give them the edge against the Blazers. The key will be if Lamar Odom can out play an injured Zach Randolph. Even though Randolph is back, he's still not at 100%, and Odom has to take advantage of his knee problem, by taking Randolph off the dribble. At this point in his career, Ruben Patterson, doesn't have the speed or athleticism to contain a player like Butler anymore. He will try to be physical with him, but Butler has an explosive first step, and should be able to get around Ruben at will. The Lakers, definitely need to worry about Mighty Mouse. He has been on fire this season, and he usually torches the Lakers. The Lakers backcourt defense is terrible, and I can see both Damon and Van Exel going for 20 in this game. For the Lakers though, Atkins has also been on a tear, and Mighty Mouse is one of the worst defensive guards in the league. So they should basically be a wash in point contributions. Last night against the Bobcats, the Lakers were very aggressive taking it to the rim. Hopefully they've worked on that aspect of their game and can keep attacking against the Blazers. I predict the Lakers winning 103-97.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Da_Future_2k5:</div><div class="quote_post">Mihm = Pryzbilla (even) Odom = Randolph (even) Jones < Patterson (Ruben is too strong for Jumaine) Butler < Van Exel (Butler coming off a great game and Ruben will contain him, dont expect another big game out of Caron... Van Exel torching his former team, look towards that) Atkins < Stoudamire (this is what you wont agree with, but Mighty Mouse has been on a complete tear, i know Chucky has been playing great too but he's not as good as Damon) Main Bench Players: Theo Ratliff, Sebastain Telfair, Travis Outlaw vs. Brian Cook, Briant Grant, Tierre Brown i dont really see an advantage for the Lakers there?? Telfair will shock the Lakers with his amazing speed, expect a big game. so to say this is an EASY win, is just dumb</div> Coming in here saying that Telfair is going to have a big game is ignorance...the kid is averaging 3 points and an assist a game, he will not have a big game. Where are you getting Przybilla is = to Mihm? Mihm is better than Joel. If you want stats, go look at stats..Mihm wins. How are you going to say Van Exel > Butler? Butler is bigger than him and has been playing great ball for us, I do not think Patterson/Van Exel will stop him much, he will get to the line. I agree with Stoudamire being better than Atkins, but Atkins has been on a tear lately, that is a good matchup. And, as you stated...Lamar = Randolph. The Lakers are coming off of a win, they have a winning season going, they have their home crowd behind them. Meanwhile, Portland has another losing season, have coaching turmoil. There is no reason why the Lakers can't beat them, respect my opinion..I respected yours.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Kobe 8 Ball:</div><div class="quote_post">Coming in here saying that Telfair is going to have a big game is ignorance...the kid is averaging 3 points and an assist a game, he will not have a big game. Where are you getting Przybilla is = to Mihm? Mihm is better than Joel. If you want stats, go look at stats..Mihm wins. How are you going to say Van Exel > Butler? Butler is bigger than him and has been playing great ball for us, I do not think Patterson/Van Exel will stop him much, he will get to the line. I agree with Stoudamire being better than Atkins, but Atkins has been on a tear lately, that is a good matchup. And, as you stated...Lamar = Randolph. The Lakers are coming off of a win, they have a winning season going, they have their home crowd behind them. Meanwhile, Portland has another losing season, have coaching turmoil. There is no reason why the Lakers can't beat them, respect my opinion..I respected yours.</div> WOW YOUR IGNORANT. ok listen... 1) Telfair hasnt got to play all year except garbage time, last game vs Clippers he got a good bit of playing time due to D.A. being out, and had 11 pts and produced great... 2) Pryzbilla has been ballin over the past week, including a 23 rebound game, and a 16 pt 17 reb game.. hes playing GREAT, no doubt hes playing better than Mihm this month, you can compare if you would like. 3)You dont think Caron Butler can be stopped? hahaha, you must love the Lakers to say something that silly. Ruben Patterson will lock him up easily. Caron is inconsitent anyways. Van Exel will light up the Lakers, mark that down. 4)The Lakers are coming off a win? WHOOPTY DO, so are the Blazers.. wow man your dumb
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Da_Future_2k5:</div><div class="quote_post">WOW YOUR IGNORANT. ok listen... 1) Telfair hasnt got to play all year except garbage time, last game vs Clippers he got a good bit of playing time due to D.A. being out, and had 11 pts and produced great... </div> OMG Telfair had one...good game, what makes you think someone who is better off in college, raw, not developed, inexperienced, etc... is going to come into one of the biggest venue's in basketball and post up a good game. He will not get more than 5 pts, he needs to learn the game first. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">2) Pryzbilla has been ballin over the past week, including a 23 rebound game, and a 16 pt 17 reb game.. hes playing GREAT, no doubt hes playing better than Mihm this month, you can compare if you would like.</div> Alright, you might be right here but its just over the past week, Mihm has played better than average ball for us all year long, and is continuing to get better. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">3)You dont think Caron Butler can be stopped? hahaha, you must love the Lakers to say something that silly. Ruben Patterson will lock him up easily. Caron is inconsitent anyways. Van Exel will light up the Lakers, mark that down.</div> Caron will get his points, yea he might be inconsistent, but he has been playing great ball over the past week (using your arguement). He will get to the FT line, he has been great for us later...I doubt the self-proclaimed "Kobe Stopper" is going to stop Caron from getting his 15+. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">4)The Lakers are coming off a win? WHOOPTY DO, so are the Blazers.. wow man your dumb</div> We will see who comes out of the game with this win.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Kobe 8 Ball:</div><div class="quote_post"> We will see who comes out of the game with this win.</div> my whole arguement is the game will not be EASY like you say, sure the Lakers can win, but if they do they are going to have to play damn well. i think it will be a close game, with the blazers winning. but the lakers are at home so we'll see if they get any phantom foul calls like they normally do, if not, i dont see them winning.
This may be a good game. Obviously everybody knows the Lakers aren't the same team without Kobe, and looking at the Blazers record they have not played that well themselves this year. In my opinion this game is going to come down to who executes and plays better defense. It's going to be important for the Lakers to play well inside and out, guys like Atkins,Butler,Cook, Odom, and Jones are going to need to shoot well from the outside for the Lakers to be successful since Portland is a good interior defensive team. The Blazers on the other hand just have to play hard defense and hope to out play the Lakers as a whole, that's the only way I see them becoming victorius in this matchup.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">You guys should make a sig bet on the game.</div> I am all up for a sig bet between him..for 2 weeks..if I lose I will wear something of his choice, if I win he can wear something of my choice..just need a designer
well you were right about the Lakers winning... Zach Randolph easily had the worst game of his career, i've never seen him play that bad. Wow... I am in shock at how someone that good can play that bad. The Lakers shot great for the majority of the game, Blazers scored like 10 pts in the 2nd quarter.. just a horrible game all-around by them. An off night is all it was. Mo Cheeks... too bad hes not resigning like Rudy T. And this game was a joke, the Lakers played like the '92 Dream Team, once in a season type game.. if they played like this every game they would be undefeated
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Da_Future_2k5:</div><div class="quote_post">well you were right about the Lakers winning... Zach Randolph easily had the worst game of his career, i've never seen him play that bad. Wow... I am in shock at how someone that good can play that bad. The Lakers shot great for the majority of the game, Blazers scored like 10 pts in the 2nd quarter.. just a horrible game all-around by them. An off night is all it was. Mo Cheeks... too bad hes not resigning like Rudy T. And this game was a joke, the Lakers played like the '92 Dream Team, once in a season type game.. if they played like this every game they would be undefeated </div> So how about that sig bet ?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Kobe 8 Ball:</div><div class="quote_post"> So how about that sig bet ? </div> i never made a sig bet, sorry, if Lakers beat the Spurs thursday, i'll put anything you want in my sig
Lol, if they beat them..I will put anything in my sig also..I will hold you to that though... Caron was the spark for tonights game, Lamar came on strong at the end. We came on strong defensively at the beginning of the second quarter. Good game, good win... *prays for win against San Antonio*
