<div align="center"> <font color="green">The Milwaukee Bucks (34-34)</font> vs. <font color="purple">The Los Angeles Lakers (36-34)</font> Friday, March 24th, 2006 STAPLES Center 7:30 Pacific; Local </div> [div=50%] <font size="3">Projected Starters</font> <div align="center"><font color="green"> <font size="1">(T. Ford, M. Redd, B. Simmons, B. Bogut, J. Magloire)</font></font></div> <font size="1">Leading Scorer: Michael Redd - 24.9 Leading Rebounder: Jamaal Magloire - 10.0 RPG Assist Man: TJ Ford - 6.5 The Bench Man: Charlie Bell (7.1 PPG, 42% FGs, 1.6 RPG)</font> <font size="3">Backcourt</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/tj_ford.jpg[/imgl]<font color="green">TJ Ford</font> PPG: 11.7, RPG: 4.5, APG: 6.5 TJ Ford is having a very respectable season averaging 12/4/6. He could have a very good game in this one because he's quick, and Smush Parker struggles with quick guards. If the Lakers have to, they'll put Sasha Vujacic on him, which will cause some problems because Sasha is quicker, especially when going for steals when putting full court pressure on. TJ needs to take advantage of Smush when he's on him, because that could be the key point the Bucks should try to expose in this game.</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/michael_redd.jpg[/imgl]<font color="green">Michael Redd</font> PPG: 24.9, RPG: 4.3, APG: 3.0 The Bucks leading scorer is going to have his hands full in this game. He has the opportunity to guard Kobe Bryant, so don't expect him to put up 25 points if Kobe's moving on offense, it'll get Redd tired. On Offense, Redd will also have to make Kobe work, because Kobe's a great defender. Redd should try coming off screens to get open, or Kobe will be over him all night.</font> <font size="3">Frontcourt</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/bobby_simmons.jpg[/imgl]<font color="green">Bobby Simmons</font> PPG: 13.9, RPG: 4.7, APG: 2.2 The Bucks' prized free agent hasn't lived up to his contract, but he hasn't been a slouch, either. He's been a very good role player. He should struggle this game because he has the lenthy Lamar Odom to defend, and defending him. Lamar's too quick for him, so expect Simmons to get taken to the hole, a lot. Simmons has to hit the mid-range jumper when he's open, or Lamar might be able to slack off of him to help with post defense.</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/andrew_bogut.jpg[/imgl]<font color="green">Andrew Bogut</font> PPG: 8.9, RPG: 7.2, APG: 2.3 The Australian native is having a pretty nice rookie season. He was being heralded as the next Tim Duncan, and he certainly has the fundamentals to live up to that. You can expect him to have a big game becuase Brian Cook is not a great defender. The Lakers might put Andrew Bynum, Kwame Brown, or Ronny Turiaf on him in the mid first quarter and leave it that way, because Cook can't box this guy out. If Phil isn't smart enough and leaves Cook on Bogut, expect Bogut to have a career game.</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/jamaal_magloire.jpg[/imgl]<font color="green">Jamaal Magloire</font> PPG: 10.1, RPG: 10.0, APG: .7 Magloire is a very respectable big man. Kwame Brown is a very respectable defender. This should be a great matchup, one that the Bucks should take advantage of by getting Magloire going early. If he can discourage Kwame, he'll have his way with him all night.</font> [/div] <font size="3">Projected Starters</font> <div align="center"><font color="purple"> <font size="1">(S. Parker, K. Bryant, L. Odom, B. Cook, K. Brown) </font></font></div> <font size="1">Leading Scorer: Kobe Bryant - 34.7 PPG Leading Rebounder: Lamar Odom - 9.2 RPG Assist Man: Lamar Odom - 5.5 APG The Bench Man: Luke Walton (4.5 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 2.0 APG)</font> <font size="3">Backcourt</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/smush_parker.jpg[/imgl]<font color="purple">Smush Parker</font> PPG: 11.7, RPG: 3.2, APG: 3.4 Smush Parker has been playing a lot better lately, he's been having a bigger impact. He has trouble with quick guards and in the 4th quarter. Well, he's facing TJ Ford, so if he starts off struggling against Ford, expect him to be pulled for Sasha. He also needs to get some shots in the hoop, early. When he gets going early, he's not easy to stop.</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/kobe_bryant.jpg[/imgl]<font color="purple">Kobe Bryant</font> PPG: 34.7, RPG: 5.3, APG: 4.7 After a shooting slump, Kobe Bryant has re-emerged. He has a fun matchup tonight, as he's going up against one of the best shooters in the league. Kobe gets up for tough defensive matchups, he's expecting one in this game. Kobe can't tire him out on defense though, when he needs a breather, the Lakers need to put George on Redd. On offense, Kobe has to initiate first, shoot in the second half. The Lakers are at their best when he gets others involved, first.</font> <font size="3">Frontcourt</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/lamar_odom.jpg[/imgl]<font color="purple">Lamar Odom</font> PPG: 14.6, RPG: 9.2, APG: 5.5 This is a new Lamar we're seeing, the one we've wanted since last season. He should be able to get started early against Simmons, and when he does that, the Lakers are unstoppable. Look for Lamar to be aggressive and drive to the hoop often in this game. I expect another near triple double: 19, 11, and 9.</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/brian_cook.jpg[/imgl]<font color="purple">Brian Cook</font> PPG: 8.2, RPG: 3.3, APG: 1.0 Cook is not a good defender. That simple, don't expect to see a lot of him in this game, because Bogut can explode. If Bogut gets going early, expect to see Turiaf in the game, because with Cook in there, Andrew will get at least 20 and 10.</font> <font size="1">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/kwame_brown.jpg[/imgl]<font color="purple">Kwame Brown</font> PPG: 6.3, RPG: 6.1, APG: 1.0 Has he finally turned the corner? Kwame has been playing stellar ball lately. Last game against the Kings, Kwame put up 21 and 11. Do I expect those same numbers? No, what I do expect is tough defense against a very respectable opponent in Jamaal Magloire. Kwame needs to crash the offensive board as well, I'm calling 15 and 12 for him. </font> <font size="3">Lakers Keys to the Game</font><ul>[*]<font color="purple">Lamar and Kwame</font> - These two players have been playing incredibly consistent lately. Lamar has been scoring and Kwame has been getting great position and snatching boards like it's his job, which it is. If they continue that, the Lakers should have no problem winning this game.[*]<font color="purple">Initiator</font> - The Lakers need Kobe to be the one to spread the ball around. When he does that early, the Lakers are one of the best teams in the league. Expect Kobe to look to get others involved early, and then take over in the second half.[*]<font color="purple">Be Aggressive</font> - They were aggressive against Sacramento, they should be aggressive tonight. They have some momentum going, and if they want to snatch that 6th seed for an easy matchup with Denver, they need to win this game. Controlled aggressiveness will get them the win.[/list]<font size="3">Prediction</font> I really don't see the Lakers losing this game, they're coming off of a huge victory against their rival team, the Queens. Lakers: 101, Bucks: 90..
The Lakers cannot have a let down game after a huge win against the Kings. After watching Utah beat the Suns by playing physical basketball, I'm a little more easy with the idea of facing Phoenix in the first round. The Jazz beat the Suns by controlling the rebounds and not turning the ball over. The Jazz were down big in the game, but then went with a power lineup with 4 forwards to get back in the game and not get burned in transition. The Bucks aren't a good defensive team and the Lakers can get out to an early lead by attacking their interior. The Buck guards like to cheat on double teams, and it's going to open up the perimeter for the Lakers. I expect Brian Cook to have a big game for the Lakers if they can get the Buck guards to cheat. Also Bogut isn't comfortable defending out on the perimeter. I really hope Kwame Brown's last game was a turning point for him on the season. He looks a lot more comfortable in his role and doesn't have the anxiety when the players give him the ball in the post. I don't think Bogut or Magloire are strong enough to hold Kwame out of the paint and Kwame has the foot speed to get around them as well. I'd love to see Kobe lock down Michael Redd again. He's had his way with him in head to head matchups holding Redd to career lows.
the got to win this game to try to secure a 6th seed. We cannot lose this game. we have to come out firing like we did against Sac.
Sasha might be injured tonight and is listed as questionable. This means Smush Parker has to be more careful on defense. He's the only player quick enough to guard TJ Ford, the alternative is Devin Green. However, if Parker gets in foul trouble the Lakers could put Jimmy Jackson on the court and have him post TJ Ford all night long.
As we prepare to play our last Eastern Conference opponent of the regular season, it is important to recognize the fact that we have not seen this team since early December. A significant portion of every NBA game plan is devoted to personnel. What each player’s strengths and weaknesses are will help determine how we want to defend. When we see a team frequently in a short amount of time the familiarity of both individual tendencies as well as the team’s offensive schemes usually leads to a better defensive effort. An example of this is the fact that our most recent victory over the Sacramento Kings was the third time we played them in a month and it was our best defensive effort of the three games. This game against the Bucks presents a different set of challenges at the other end of the spectrum. In this instance it is extremely important that the players give their full mental and physical attention at the game day shootaround. A typical shootaround starts with the team meeting in the theater at the practice facility. The coach responsible for the scouting report will give a brief introduction to the team. In this instance he will point out the fact that behind T.J. Ford the Bucks will really look to push the ball and set a lot of pick and rolls in transition – many with the pickers back to the baseline (sometimes referred to as step-up pick and rolls). He will talk about the different ways they like to get shots for Michael Redd (running him off baseline screens, dropping it into him in the post etc). And he will mention how effective the Milwaukee big men are especially in the area of offensive rebounding. The team will then watch a video edit that emphasizes both the individual tendencies as well as the play sets that Milwaukee likes to run. Following the video the team will go on the floor and walk through some of the key plays that we will see that night. This is an important step in the process because the players will actually see and feel the defensive rotations we want in order to take away the main options of their key offensive sets. It is also a time when the coaches can quiz guys on the people they will be guarding. For example, as we are walking through their step up pick and roll the guard will swing the ball to a player on the perimeter on the weakside. The coach can then ask how we would want to close out on this person. If it is Bobby Simmons (who has improved his 3 point shooting to 41%) we would want to go all the way to him so he does not get an open look at the 3. This would change reaction would change if it is a player not as proficient at shooting from distance. Finally, in the meeting before the game we will show another short video highlighting their main play sets. A coach will also go over our defensive coverages using diagrams on the board and questioning players to ensure their understanding. All these steps are important every game but when we are facing an unfamiliar opponent being focused during this preparation is critical.
well, this should be a laker win. i mean, this is just the bucks. we should be able to win easy. all we have to do is play defense and stop micheal redd. i just hope kwame continues his play and as well as odom. if so, and kobe has a decent game, i would be shocked to see us lose.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting phiLA:</div><div class="quote_post">well, this should be a laker win. i mean, this is just the bucks. we should be able to win easy. all we have to do is play defense and stop micheal redd. i just hope kwame continues his play and as well as odom. if so, and kobe has a decent game, i would be shocked to see us lose.</div> Not that I want the Lakers to lose, but I wouldnt be shocked if it happens. All season long, the Lakers have played great against the elite and played high school ball against the weak. The Lakers have to want it...
Empra's right, but let's hope Lakers win. I'll be happy with a Lakers win, but I'll be even more happy if the Lakers win by more than 5.5 so I win my bet =)
Lakers need to step the defense up in the 2nd half. The Bucks are getting too, many easy baskets in this game.
How did this happen? They were up by like 13! Im going out with this girl so I can't watch the game, I expect to see a Laker W by the time I get back oh! and wish me luck
Man, I hate Sasha. Trade him for KG! haha. Damn, why is he chuggin up back to back threes without even working the clock with a lead of 8? Those back to back 3 point attempts helped the Bucks get within 2 again!!! GAH!!
Kwame Brown has been a total beast lately, if he can keep this play up, and Lamar too, we're a top 10 team in the league, easily. Over the past 6 games, Kwame's been averaging 12.3 PPG and 8 RPG, including 16 and 9 tonight. If he can keep that play up over the rest of the season, he'll have a lot of confidence entering the playoffs, and eventually, next season. He's finally grasping the triangle, and he's becoming a beast. That one handed dunk was SICK.
