<div align="center">@ <font color="purple">The Los Angeles Lakers (32-29)</font> @ <font color="navy">The Washington Wizards (33-27)</font> Time: 4:00 PM Pacific (Tape Delay) Place: MCI Center TV: Local</div> <div align="center"><font size="5"><font color="purple">Lakers' Head Coach</font></font> <font color="purple">Frank Hamblen</font></div> <div align="center"><font size="5"><font color="purple"> Lakers' Projected Starting Lineup</font></div></font> <div align="center"> <font color="purple">Chucky Atkins- 13.9 ppg, 4.4 apg, 2.6 rpg Kobe Bryant- 28.6 ppg, 6.4 apg, 6.1 rpg Caron Butler- 14.0 ppg, 1.6 apg, 5.3 rpg Lamar Odom- 15.6 ppg, 3.8 apg, 10.4 rpg Chris Mihm- 10.2 ppg, .6 apg, 6.8 rpg</font></div> <div align="center"><font size="5"><font color="navy">Wizards' Head Coach</font></font> <font color="navy">Eddie Jordan</font></div> <div align="center"><font size="5"><font color="navy">Wizards' Projected Starting Lineup</font></font> <font color="navy">Gilbert Arenas- 25.4 ppg, 5.2 apg, 4.5 rpg Larry Hughes- 21.7 ppg, 5.0 apg, 6.1 rpg Jared Jeffries- 6.4 ppg, 1.9 apg, 4.6 rpg Antawn Jamison- 20 ppg, 2.2 apg, 8 rpg Brendan Haywood- 9.6 ppg, .9 apg, 6.9 rpg</font> </div> <div align="center"><font size="5"><font color="purple">Bench</font><font color="navy"> Factors</font></font> (<font color="purple">Jumaine Jones</font>,<font color="navy">Steve Blake</font>) </div> <div align="center"><font size="5"><font color="purple">Key</font><font color="navy"> Matchup</font></font> (<font color="purple">Kobe Bryant</font>, <font color="navy">Larry Hughes</font>) Projected Stats <font color="purple">Kobe Bryant: 29 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds</font> <font color="navy">Larry Hughes: 24 points, 6 assists, 6 rebounds</div></font> <font size="5"><font color="purple">Keys</font><font color="navy"> to</font><font color="purple"> the</font><font color="navy"> Game</font></font> <font color="purple">Los Angeles:</font> <ul> [*]<font color="purple">Kobe</font>- Kobe is going up against one of the better defenders in the league in this game. He is going to have to play smart ball, any mistakes and Larry Hughes will capitalize on them. [*]<font color="purple">High Scoring?</font>- They allowed 116 to the Bobcats, there is no way they can do that and beat the Wizards. It isn't possible, Washington will just out run them. [*]<font color="purple">Get Back on D</font>- In Washington's first win over L.A. they ran the ball. L.A. didn't get back on D. If L.A. wants to start off the road trip 3-0, they will get back and play D like they mean it. [/list] <font color="navy">Washington:</font> <ul> [*]<font color="navy">Come Out Strong</font>- They are coming off a heartbreaking loss to Boston last night. There legs are going to be tired so they need to get out early and get the crowd behind them. [*]<font color="navy">Run</font>- That is how Washington won in L.A., they ran from start to finish. Every bucket L.A. scored, they got back before L.A. To win again, just repeat that same formula because the Lakers defense has been horrible as of late. [*]<font color="navy">Recovery Game</font>- This is a recovery game for Washington, mainly Gilbert Arenas. He had a hell of a game the first time he played his hometown team, he is going to need a repeat. He struggled last night, shooting the ball horribly at 7-22, so he needs to come in here and make smart decisions with the ball. [/list] <font size="5"><font color="purple">Random</font> <font color="navy">Movie</font><font color="purple"> Quote</font>*: </font> Coach Gary Gaines: [half-time speech] I want you to take a moment, and I want you to look each other in the eyes. I want you to put each other in your hearts forever because forever is about to happen here in just a few minutes. I want you to close your eyes, and I want you to think about Boobie Miles, who is your brother. And he would die to be out there in that field with you tonight. And I want you to put that in your hearts. Boys my heart is full. My heart is full. *Idea stolen from Supersonic <font size="5"> <font color="navy">Prediction</font></font> I took the quote from Friday Night Lights. Don't ask me why lol. I think Washington is going to win this game. I want them to win. They came into Staples and beat the Lakers, I don't think we can beat them at home. They have everyone back healthy, something they also had when they beat us. It will be a good, close game..but Washington will pull away at the end. 105-97.
The Wiz need to start winning games to gain momentum back, this will be an important game IMO. It's a home game, so the Wiz will/should take this one. Arenas will rape Chucky Atkins, and expect another big night from Hughes, though Kobe has been known to prey on him. I'd like to see Kwame start, but I'd expect him to come off the bench, if the Wizards can add a good inside effort to the outside play this should be their's. Kobe will likely have a 30+ game, and maybe 40+, but it won't be enough. Washington 105 - Lakers 99
The Wiz really need this one. This is a turnaround game for them. I don't really see the Wiz at any disadvantage with their starters except for maybe the Jamison-Odom, becaus eof AJ still coming back from his injury. As og stated Arenas will go prison cell style on Atkins. I think the Wiz will win by 4 or 5.
The only bright spot for the Lakers in this game was Caron Butler who had 20 points on 9-18 shooting, and grabbed 11 rebounds. The Lakers as a team shot 35.2%, and also took 34 three's only making 10. The Wizards did fairly well, Hughes had a big game with 21 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists, and 4 steals. Arenas wasn't too hot today [knee injury], but Haywood picked up the slack scoring 16 points on 7-7 shooting, and Kwame added 9 points and 11 rebounds. Jamison exited the game after only playing 8 minutes, and was 1-4 with 2 points in that time. Good win for the Wizards! Jared Jefferies also continued his good play with 9 points and 9 rebounds today
Great game from Haywood, he didn't have to worry about rebounds with Kwame all over the boards grabbing 11. The guards had decent games shooting, but Hughes had a wonderful statline. Great win, lets get back some momentum, hopefully we can win without Jamison some more. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">WASHINGTON, March 14 (Ticker) -- Larry Hughes, Gilbert Arenas and the Washington Wizards got the better of the Los Angeles Lakers for 48 minutes. Unfortunately, they may be without All-Star forward Antawn Jamison for a lot longer. Hughes collected 21 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists and Arenas added 21 points as the Wizards routed the Lakers, 95-81, for just their fourth victory in 12 games. But the win might have been costly for the Wizards, who saw Jamison exit the contest late in the first quarter with right knee tendinitis. He did not return. </div> Full Recap Box Score
