Wednesday, Feb. 25 6:00 pm TV: KCAL, NBALP Radio: KLAC-AM 570/KWKW-AM 1330 @ PROBABLE STARTERS: PG- SG- SF- PF- C- Injury Report: Lakers- Karl Malone-Out (IL) Jamaal Sampson-Out (IL) Denver Nuggets -Mark Pope (IL) -Jeff Trepnagier (IL) Players to Watch/Keys to the game LAL- Kobe Bryant is on a huge hot streak, but it will be interesting to see how he performs in front of the Denver Colorado crowd, where he was booed repeatedly last time they played there. If he can't get his shooting going, KB8 must involve role players, and feed Shaq the ball.. I predict he haves a good game, but yeah, he will surely be booed. DEN- Marcus Camby will need to at least keep Shaq busy on the defensive end, because Marcus is too scrawny compared to Shaq, and he cannot stop Shaquille. He will have to fight fire with fire, meaning attack the hoop, and try to foul Shaq out. Hitting free-throws will also be critical for the Nuggets. Fast Fact This will be the final matchup between these 2 teams, with L.A. winning 2 of 3 so far. PREDICTION Lakers- 98 Nuggets-91
^^ Nice preview. I expect Kobe to have another big game, because this is @ Denver and I'm sure he'll hear plenty of boo's. He usually plays well when the crowd is against him like that, and I also see Shaq getting Camby in early foul trouble. I don't think this will be an easy one however, Carmelo and Nene seem to match up good against us from what I've seen so far this year. I'll take this game at the Lakers by 4, with a close game throughout.
I'm hoping Denver can take this one. They need to get a win over a team like the Lakers while they're almost completely healthy. I'm going out on a limb here. Nuggets by 2.
^^ Keep hoping Crossover, the Lakers are focused since the All Star Break and are trying to gain ground on the injured Kings and the top teams in the Midwest. There's not much left to play in the regular season, so every win is huge for the Lakers at this point. Kobe usually has his better games against the Nuggets, and the Lakers have had their number this season. Like most teams in the NBA, the Nuggets don't have the size to contain Shaq inside. The Lakers need this win so they have momentum heading into Thursday's game against the Kings. I'm counting on the Lakers to take a commanding lead after 3 quarters, and then resting the starters in the 4th.
Lakers will win this one. Denver does not have the size and toughness, nor strengh to hold The Big Fella down in the paint. He will have his way all game, and with Kobe's current 2nd half break out, I expect him to have another big game. Denver will keep it close in the 1st half, but the 2nd half will be ALL Lakers. LA by 12.
Nice preview. I say the Lakers will take this one, but Nene will have a big game. Kobe will dominate Lenard, and he will probably score near 35 points. I say the Lakers by 6.
I think this should be a good game. I'm thinking that Kobe will, in all likelyhood, torch the aging Lenard. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised to see Melo guard him in the clutch due to the fact that he is younger and will be able to keep up with him. Plus, he's played fearless all year and I think that if anyone could step up to the challenge on that team, it's him. But, in the end, the Lakers will win this. Kobe and Shaq will be too much for the Nuggets. The Lakers are currently rolling and look like they're finally focused again. And, when the Lakers are focused on winning, they're tough to beat.
