<div align="center"> Los Angeles Lakers: 16-12 San Antonio Spurs: 25-7 Date: Tuesday, January 4th Time: 5:30 PM TV: KCAL, NBATV Previous Games: Nuggets @ Lakers 99-91 (WIN) Spurs @ Kings 86-81 (LOSS) <font color="purple"><font size="1">(Coach Rudy Tomjanovich)</font></font> C - <font color="Purple">Chris Mihm</font> (10.6 PPG, 6.8 RPG, <font color="red">0.4</font> APG) PF - <font color="Purple">Lamar Odom</font> (14.6 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 2.6 APG) SF - <font color="Purple">Caron Butler</font> (13.4 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 1.3 APG) SG - <font color="Purple">Kobe Bryant</font> (28.9 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 7.0 APG) PG - <font color="Purple">Chucky Atkins</font> (11.4 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 3.8 APG) <font size="4">VS</font> <font color="black"><font size="1">(Coach Greg Popovich)</font></font> C - <font color="black">Rasho Nesterovic</font> (5.7 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 1.1 APG) PF - <font color="black">Tim Duncan</font> (22.1 PPG, 11.8 RPG, 2.7 APG) SF - <font color="black">Bruce Bowen</font> (7.8 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 1.9 APG) SG - <font color="black">Manu Ginobili</font> (14.6 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 4.1 APG) PG - <font color="black">Tony Parker</font> (15.0 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 5.6 APG) LAKERS - <font color="purple">Tierre Brown</font> Predicted Stats: 8 points, 0 rebounds, 4 assists SPURS - <font color="black">Brent Barry</font> Predicted Stats: 12 points, 3/5 3PT, 2 assists LAKERS - <font color="purple">Kobe Bryant</font> Predicted Stats: 40 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists SPURS - <font color="black">Tim Duncan</font> Predicted Stats: 24 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists</div> [imgl]http://img112.exs.cx/img112/2349/ginobili7ym.jpg[/imgl]The Lakers are going to have to dig deep to find their shot, defense, everything...before going into this game against the Spurs, who are a serious contender for the championship this season. It's no question that the Spurs are loaded with talent, but unlike the past, the Lakers are not only going to have to stop Tim Duncan and Tony Parker. This time, a third star has busted loose for San Antonio, and that man is GINOBILIIIIII!!!! I'm no Sir Charles, but I do know that Manu has become a threat on both sides of the ball, and he could play a huge role in a Spurs' victory against the Lakers tonight...that is, if the Spurs get that victory. This game could be as easy for the Spurs as a game of Go <font color="Red">Fish</font>...<font color="Red">er</font>, maybe not that easy. Let's talk credentials. The Lakers bring to the table Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom, not exactly the perfect duo, but a good combination of scoring and rebounding...mixed with leadership, youth, and heart. Aside from them, a slew of guys who aren't afraid to take the three...maybe too often. Switch hands, and you'll find the Spurs...led by Tim Duncan and Tony Parker. With the exception of a previously mentioned Manu, San Antonio suits up a great perimeter defender in Bruce Bowen and a young stud by the name of Beno Udrih, who received the Rookie of the Month award for December. Beno > Sasha? It's looking that way so far. Something the Lakers are going to have to put an end to sooner or later are the turnovers. The Spurs won't let them get away with bad passes, or "butter fingers" either, so now is the time to correct things and get the ball rolling in Lakerland. If the Lakers produce enough turnovers for Parker and Ginobili, they can capitalize on them on the fast break and get some easy buckets...which could ultimately put this game away early. Otherwise, effective passing and good off-the-ball play can break down any defense, so the Lakers need to force Showtime back into their gameplay, and put pressure on Duncan and his troops. Defensively, the Lakers are in trouble. The Spurs know more plays than a Lenny Wilkens career playbook, so it's up to the Lakers' defense to keep them settling for jumpers or feeding the ball to Duncan, instead of easy backdoor plays and wide-open looks to everyone in a white and black jersey. Hopefully, San Antonio lost some sleep over their loss to the Kings in ARCO, and everyone is fatigued...but I doubt it. Off the bench, Tierre and Barry will play huge factors for their respected teams. Brown's speed will allow him to slash to the hoop, whether it's for dropping one off the glass for two, or an attempt to penetrate and dish. Brent Barry is lethal from the arc, and Los Angeles could find it very tough to hold off Duncan's inside game while keeping an eye out for Barry behind the three. Either way, these two could provide that extra spark off the bench to ignite a fire strong enough to carry these teams to long scoring runs...something neither squad wants to be against, but would welcome with open arms. The Lakers are bitter about the last meeting. Remember Kobe's anger in the fourth? Bruce Bowen may have twice as much trouble this time around, with the way Kobe's been playing as of late. Earlier in the season, everyone would predict a blowout. However, after the way the Lakers have been hanging with such teams as the Heat and the Suns, the Lakers aren't looking so bad as of late. This game is in San Antonio...my gut tells me the Spurs will pull away with a victory, but my heart won't allow that to happen. The Lakers will do the Spurs like they did the Kings, and will once again get revenge on the opposing team's court, 101-97.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting k-bryant8:</div><div class="quote_post">it's difficult for the lakers to win unless kobe played another crazy game.</div> Yeah...I know what we're up against, but this was what alot of guys said about the Kings at ARCO as well...but we came out with good defense and a better offense, and won. Something is wrong with Duncan anyways...he hasn't been himself lately...
The Kings haven't played that great at home. I believe they are 2-3 in their last 5 home games at Arco. The Spurs are the better team but anything is possible. The Spurs have been pretty much unbeatable at home and that will not change tomorrow night. Spurs by 13.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Real Deal:</div><div class="quote_post">Yeah...I know what we're up against, but this was what alot of guys said about the Kings at ARCO as well...but we came out with good defense and a better offense, and won. Something is wrong with Duncan anyways...he hasn't been himself lately...</div> Don't even compare the Kings at arco and the Spurs at the SBC center, Spurs have the best home record in the NBA, something the Kings have struggled with this year. Oh and nothing is wrong with Tim, he has a bad shooting game against the Kings but apart from that he has been as great as he normally is. His minutes have just been limited due to most of the recent games have been easy wins. Wouldn't be surprised If the same happens tonight.
Great preview Real I like the backgrounds. I think that the Lakers will win just because they are the Kobes oh my bad I mean the Lakers! Kobe will drop 40 and the whole crowd will go crazy.
Kobe will go for 40, 10, and 8..Lamar will get his 15 and 10..other than that, I don't see much production for us..unless Caron wants to explode for 20. I have to take San Antonio in this one, its going to be ugly for the Lakers...102-88 SA
Very nice preview Real Deal. The problem with Kobe scoring 40+ points is he ends up not passing the ball enough and is too fatigued for rebounds. I don't mind if he scores 40+ points, I honestly don't, as long as it's 50% or better shooting and he's grabbing rebounds and throwing those open passes... that is, when he's not in midair. I just want to see a lot of the Lakers in double digits in scoring, and hopefully Lamar can get at least 25 points like he should be getting. Or at least more than 7-9 shots. It'd be nice if Carn Butler throws up 20 like Kobe 8 Ball mentioned, but he's inconsisent right now. Who knows what'll happen. I'm taking the Lakers... but it'll be a close game. Something like... 111-106.
If Kobe starts off like he did against the Kings, when he only had like 10point in the first half but had already dished out like 7assisent than its possible to win. He needs to see his teammates and help them. That how you win games. I think he knows that and will do it. Lakers by 3. 98-95
I think it's not going to come down to Kobe trying to score 40, but having to. People say that he doesn't trust his teammates. That's not true...he gives them enough passes to score...but if it is in fact true, there's nothing wrong with it: I don't trust them right now, either.
The Spurs are tough to beat, especially at home. If the Lakers want to win this Kobe is going to have to have a huge game, the other Lakers are going to have to step it up as well. The Spurs are a very solid defensive team, and the last time the Lakers played the Spurs they help Bryant to 36% shooting despite him scoring 28 points. So I'm expecting the Spurs to do a good job on him again.
This is funny, All i see Real Deal keeps saying the lakers are going to win, so the lakers are going to have 82 wins- 0 losses? I dont know what u see in the lakers but i know the spurs are going to win 110-89.
^That's funny, a lot of Real Deals predictions have been that we lost... and some of them we won. Like against the Kings, I believe he predicted we'd lose? We won. You're uneducated, and annoying. The Spurs may win, they may lose... it's a big "depends".
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting YugoRocketsfan:</div><div class="quote_post">This is funny, All i see Real Deal keeps saying the lakers are going to win, so the lakers are going to have 82 wins- 0 losses? I dont know what u see in the lakers but i know the spurs are going to win 110-89.</div> That's funny. And all I see you do is not make previews. Make a preview for a team, and then you can judge mine. By the way, check my Kings preview when they played them in ARCO. I predicted a Kings win...I was wrong.
Well if one team has a bad game it cant have 82 bad games, plus arent the Spurs better than the kings? Plus watch Beno Udrih hit those field goals. Plus im not making fun of you're previews, im making fun of youre prediction
Hah, Real Deal.. did you just post when I did again? I'm a Laker fan and yes, I think the Spurs are a much better team right now than the Lakers. It doesn't mean we can't win... I won't be surprised if we lose either. "Well if one team has a good game it cant have 82 good games, plus aren't Kings better than the Lakers? Plus watch Kobe Bryant hit those field goals."
Yeah, no where you'll find me say that the Spurs are a worse team than the Lakers...but that doesn't mean they can win 82 games, either.
I think most of the field goals that kobe attempts are going to be either blocked, missed, or even sometimes made, and plus how come lakers dont let divac play for a couple of minutes they treat him like darko milicic cept worse
