<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.
I admire your confidence in your team but you expect to beat the Spurs at the SBC center, with TD coming off a bad game and Pop who is bound to get them to bounce back is very wishful thinking. Spurs should win by 12-15 points. Duncan should destroy the weak L.A frontcourt, Parker should also expose the weak point guard spot. Unless you have great shooters or great defenders teams normally get blownout by the Spurs, more so in San Antonio. I also don't see Kobe getting 40 and If he does It will take him at least 30 shots to get It. Which will hurt L.A's chances to even contend.
Bruce Bowen set a career high tonight with 24 points which included 5-11 threes as the Spurs destroyed the Lakers 100-83. The 17 point game flattered the Lakers. Spurs pretty much dominated from start to finish. Another good game from Brent Barry with 14 points which included 4 threes, he is starting to get his act togeather. Funny how Bruce Bowen's career high's in the regular season and playoffs have both come against Kobe and the Lakers
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AllNet:</div><div class="quote_post">Bruce Bowen set a career high tonight with 24 points which included 5-11 threes as the Spurs destroyed the Lakers 100-83. The 17 point game flattered the Lakers. Spurs pretty much dominated from start to finish. Another good game from Brent Barry with 14 points which included 4 threes, he is starting to get his act togeather. Funny how Bruce Bowen's career high's in the regular season and playoffs have both come against Kobe and the Lakers </div> Spurs played a great game...shot the ball great. Laker's weren't in the building...big wake up call for the Lake show something needs to be done.
Something definitely needs to be done, but unfortunately it's not going to be addressed this season and the Lakers will need to find a way to find their rhythm and win with their current roster. Last night they were defeated in the first quarter and never got into the game physically or mentally. The Spurs are the superior team and they demonstrated once again this year they have the Lakers number. The Lakers have a serious problem defending dribble penetration and it leads to easy dunks or wide open 3 pointers by the opposition. Giving up easy baskets is making it harder for the offense because it cannot get out on the break and take advantage of 2 on 1 or 3 on 2 situations. Instead the Lakers are forced into a half set game and they settle for perimeter shots. The Lakers have very little inside on offense, they were counting on Divac to be the answer in the middle, but he's been injured. The rest of the team is built to run, but in order to get out on the break they need to improve their defense and rebounding to take advantage of Kobe's, Odom's, and Butler's ability to finish around the basket.
