Los Angeles Lakers @ Phoenix Suns

<u><span style="color:#800080">Los Angeles Lakers (33-26)</span> @ <span style="color:#FFA500">Phoenix Suns (45-14)</span></u><span style="color:#800080">Sunday, March 4th, 12:30pmat SunsTV: ABC, SUNTVRadio : KLAC-AM 570/KWKW-AM 1330<u>Lakers Starting Lineup</span></u><span style="color:#800080">Point Guard-</span><span style="color:#800080">Smush Parker11.8 Points Per Game2.4 Assists Per Game2.5 Rebounds Per Game1.5 Steals Per GameShooting Guard-Kobe Bryant29.0 Points Per Game5.6 Assists Per Game5.6 Rebounds Per Game1.5 Steals Per GameSmall Forward-Maurice Evans8.6 Points Per Game3.0 Rebounds Per Game1.0 Assists Per GamePower Forward-Brian Cook7.0 Points Per Game3.3 Rebounds Per Game1.2 Assists Per Game Center-Andrew Bynum8.4 Points Per Game6.5 Rebounds Per Game1.7 Blocks Per GameKey Bench PlayersKwame Brown-8.7 Points Per Game6.6 Rebounds Per Game1.2 Blocks Per Game</span><span style="color:#9932CC"><u>Suns Starting Lineup</u>Point Guard-Steve Nash18.9 Points Per Game11.8 Assists Per Game3.3 Rebounds Per GameShooting Guard-Raja Bell14.9 Points Per Game3.2 Rebounds Per Game2.6 Assists Per GameSmall Forward-Shawn Marion18.4 Points Per Game10.2 Rebounds Per Game2.1 Steals Per Game1.5 Blocks Per GamePower Forward-Kurt Thomas5.3 Points Per Game5.8 Rebounds Per Game0.4 Assists Per GameCenter-Amare Stoudemire20.8 Points Per Game9.9 Rebounds Per Game1.3 Blocks Per Game<u>Key Bench Players</u>Leandro Barbosa-16.9 Points Per Game2.6 Rebounds Per Game4.9 Assists Per Game</span><u>Key Matchup Of The Game</u> VS. <u>Kobe Bryant vs Raja Bell</u>On Halloween night in the Lakers last win against the Suns, Kobe never played because he was recovering from knee surgery. The knee is just fine right now, and he's ready for Raja. Everyone remembers the takedown Raja had on Kobe in the playoffs last year, and the flops Bell takes, crying Kobe hits him with elbows. Elbows or not, their first meeting since the playoffs should be a good one. Kobe, beat that punk!<u>Keys To Victory For The Lakers</u> * Transition Defense: Always against the Suns, Transition D is a point of emphasis. The Suns like to run off makes and misses, and the Lakers need to get back in a hurry. Force the Suns to beat you 5 on 5, and force them to execute in a half court set. * Perimeter Defense: Should I just make the whole Keys to Victory, defense? The Lakers guards have been pretty crappy lately at it, and they need to keep Steve Nash out of the paint. If he can run around and find open shooters, the Suns will toy with us all day. * Execute On Offense, No Quick Shots: The Lakers will win this game by getting to the foul line, and taking high percentage shots. They can't just jack up a quick shot, because thats where the Suns kill you. The Lakers have to use alot of the 24, and pound the ball. * Pound The Ball Inside: For six games of the playoffs, we saw this. The Lakers have got to feed Andrew Bynum and Kwame Brown, and work their offense around the big guys. Lamar Odom has to stay down low all game against Shawn Marion, and beat him inside. Odom can't shoot jump shots, and let Marion run all game.<u>Injury Report</u><u>Laker Injuries</u><u>Luke Walton</u>Injury: Sprained ankleStatus: Questionable<u>Vladimir Radmanovic</u>Injury: Seperated ShoulderStatus: Out<u>Maurice Evans:</u>Injury: Had fluid drained from his kneeStatus: Probable<u>Chris Mihm:</u>Injury: Ankle SurgeryStatus: Out<u>Phoenix Injuries</u><u>Shawn Marion:</u>Injury: Bruised Right HandStatus: Game Time Decision -- Probable

 

big game today. WE have to to attack the paint and control the temp of the game. We cant out run the Suns and defend them on the fast break. We need to play halfcourt offense

 

haha im loving the baby pic anyways we need this win to get back on track I still think we can win it since now they have Marion out.

 

This can go in the General NBA section because the game is on ABC.

 

Hahahaha at the Raja pic. Not too far off from the real person, too.Anyway, without Odom I see this being an easy win for the Suns. On opening night, when 1 of the Lakers stars were out, they got the win because the Suns we at about half strength and leanring to play with each other again. They aren't 100% right now, but with Amare and Nash healthy, along with most fo their roster intact and clicking, it should be an easy win.Look for a big game from #24.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Brando @ Mar 4 2007, 09:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>haha im loving the baby pic anyways we need this win to get back on track I still think we can win it since now they have Marion out.</div>Shawn Marion should play, though Diaw is supposed to be out...not that it matters. We could very well get killed out there without Lamar, Walton, Chris Mihm,Vlad Rad, Maurice Evans (questionable) ugh Hopefully Bynum can step it up and Kobe can carry the scoring load.

 

Here is a little good news for the Lakers....Maurice Evans should play despite the soreness in his right knee.

 

^^ Great news we need Evans' energy off the bench

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pinoy Balla @ Mar 4 2007, 10:59 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>^^ Great news we need Evans' energy off the bench</div>No Doubt but he could very well start.

 

I don't think we'll win, but if we put up a good fight I'll be alright with it.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (LakersFan247 @ Mar 4 2007, 10:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>This can go in the General NBA section because the game is on ABC.</div>Keep it in the Lakers forum. It's mainly for Lakers fans to discuss.Bynum is hurt now........

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (KobeBryant_24 @ Mar 4 2007, 01:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Keep it in the Lakers forum. It's mainly for Lakers fans to discuss.</div>When it's on national TV it's for everyone to discuss because everyone can watch it.

 

Good Game so far. Lakers are showing a lot of heart. I hope Bynum didn't seriously injure himself there. BTW Kwame got fouled on that dunk attempt.

 

I swear Raja Bell is gay. Everytime he gets called for a foul he puts his hands by his mouth and makes a gay face<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ASUFan22 @ Mar 4 2007, 01:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>When it's on national TV it's for everyone to discuss because everyone can watch it.</div>Ok well don't get defended when I am bad mouthing the Suns

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (KobeBryant_24 @ Mar 4 2007, 02:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I swear Raja Bell is gay. Everytime he gets called for a foul he puts his hands by his mouth and makes a gay face</div> Kobe complains more than anyone on the floor out of both teams. Most players in the league complain because they know what they did or they bluff to get the ref to think about it and maybe give that player a favorable call later on.

 

Whatever...........Well the Lakers have tied it. Kobe is gonna have a break out 2nd half and we will win. Why? Because Raja Bell is too scared. That little bi*ch is gonna get owned, just watch.

 

Don't mess with Kobe bitches!

 

Kobe, you crack me up. :happy0144: You are the kind of person that gives Lakers fans a bad name. This message board is for educated basketball talk, and so is the Lakers board. If you want to do this go to clublakers.

 

This game is way too close. Amare and Nash not playing as well as they could be but Barbosa has been amazing. Hopefully he can keep it up. I see that Piatkowski has been getting more minutes lately. Maybe D'Antoni was saving his old body all year to use in the stretch run because he sure can shoot the ball. I was hoping to see Rose get some time though.

 

Anyway, my second half predictions.Kobe will finish with 36 points, hit a game winning 3.Lakers 108, Suns 107