Preview: Lakers @ Nuggets 1/7/04 @ Day/Date: Wednesday, 1/7/04 At: Staples Center Time: 6:00 pm(PT) TV: Local Los Angeles Lakers: 21-9 Quick fact: Lakers have lossed 7 out of their last 10, and are playing under .500 ball on the road. Previous 3 games <ul>[*] January 2nd, Loss 111-109 @ Seattle[/list] High Pts: K. Bryant 32 High Reb: H. Grant/K. Bryant 6 <ul>[*] January 4th, Loss 101-98 @ LA Clippers[/list] High Pts: S. O'neal 44 High Reb: S. Medvedenko 8 <ul>[*] January 6th, @ Minnesota[/list] High Pts:Game not played High Reb: Game not played Denver Nuggets: 20-15 Quick fact: Nuggets are 4-6 in their last 10, but have a overall record of 14-4 at home this season. Previous 3 games <ul>[*] January 2nd, Win 106-96 @ Portland[/list] High Pts: V. Lenard 27 High Reb: M. Camby 8 <ul>[*] January 3rd, Loss 84-76 vs Atlanta[/list] High Pts: C. Anthony 26 High Reb: Nene 9 <ul>[*] January 5th, Loss 98-74 vs San Antonio[/list] High Pts: M. Camby 13 High Reb: M. Camby 13 Probable Starters Frontcourt Slava Medvedenko/Marcus Camby Horace Grant/Nene Devean George/Carmelo Anthony Backcourt Kobe Bryant/Voshon Lenard Gary Payton/Andre Miller Keys to the game <u>Lakers</u> <ul>[*] LA has to create more for themselves. You don't have Shaq and Malone to dump it in to, mostly everything will be created from the outside.[/list] <ul>[*]Have to toughen up on D, Denver has some good perimeter shooters, can't leave them open.[/list] <ul>[*]George and Payton have to help a lot more on the offensive side, George was scoreless against the Clippers, and Payton was held to a bad shooting night.[/list] <u>Nuggets</u> <ul>[*]Play team ball, have a all around starting lineup, get everyone involved, feed it into Nene and see what he can do with no threat in the inside for the Lakers[/list] <ul>[*]The spark off the bench for the Nuggets will play a huge role for the Nuggets, their bench also has to step up.[/list] <ul>[*]Play at your pace of the game, Nuggets are 14-4 at home, control the tempo of the game.[/list] Current Team Leaders Lakers <ul>[*]Points: Kobe Bryant (22.1)[/list] <ul>[*]Rebounds: Shaquille O'neal (11.6)[/list] <ul>[*]Assists: Gary Payton (6.4)[/list] Nuggets <ul>[*] Points: Carmelo Anthony (18.1)[/list] <ul>[*] Rebounds: Marcus Camby (9.1)[/list] <ul>[*] Assists: Andre Miller (6.1)[/list] Key Match-up Backcourt play I think backcourt play will be a huge factor in this game. Nuggets will probably kill the Nuggets on the boards, but either way you put it, both the Lakers nor the Nuggets have a great inside game offensive wise. So I think a lot of the game will have effect on backcourt play, of course with Carmelo Anthony. The 'X' factor Will the Nuggets depth be too much for the Lakers? My predictions This one is going to be a very close game. Nuggets have the home court advantage, and have played well at home, but I still think the Lakers will have a chance on this one if the other Lakers are able to step up on the offensive side. Devean George hasn't been the same player since Shaq has been injured, he really has to get out of his funk and start playing some better ball, were going to need him to get baskets down the strecth of the game, Kobe can't do everything, he's doing all a player can do to win games, but the West seems to be giving the Lakers a tough time. On the other hand, Nuggets have a lot of depth, and some tough rebounders inside. With that being said to go along with a excellent shooter in Lenard and a deadly scorer in Carmelo, they will give the Lakers a tough time, however if the Lakers can do the right things that I listed up top, this game can go either way. But I doubt it, I take the Nuggs by 11. BTW: This is the game where Kobe goes to Denver, it's going to be hell.
Nice Preview. This should be a tight and exciting game. Lakers are under-manned, and therefore the remaing players will have to deliver on a high level. Especially the big men, Slava Medvedenko and Horace Grant. Denver have a real chance at this game, as they should be able to out play the Lakers on the backcourt. Watch for Voshon to produce some nice numbers, with Carmelo leading the scoring charts. Denver gave the healthy Lakers a run for their money in the Staples Center, so I expect to see them produce a solid win in this game. Nuggets by 5. My preview
Excellent preview Purple N Gold, The Minnesota loss just completely showed how flat this team looks right now, and with Gary Payton's 13 pt performance last night, this shows this game will be completely on Kobe Bryant's shoulders. Also he's going to have to deal with the crowd since he's playing in Colorado territory, so also it'll be important to know mentally if he'll be involved in the game. If I were Phil Jackson, I'd just bench Devean George. He just hasn't been himself since Malone and Shaq went down with their injuries, I'd rather start Byron Russell. Veteran guy, has been a starter for mostly his whole career, and he's really been picking up on his perimeter game, why not try him out for tonight? Because there is completely no production from him whatsoever, and production of the Laker frontcourt. But back to my prediction.... Lakers will lose their fourth straight, Carmelo will just be too tough inside, and with the Lakers poor performance on the perimeter, Voshon Lenard will just light it up.
Hmm. The last Nuggets/Laker game was a damned close one, with Kobe hitting the buzzer beater in LA (and I was pissed, too). I think this is the time where Denver picks up one at home to break their losing streak they've been on as of late. A big win here would be a great character boost, as well. LA is going to come out and try to get an early lead, especially the Laker backcourt combo of Kobe and Gary. If the Nuggets can keep them from heating up and don't commit too many turnovers, then this game should be an easy win for them with the absence of Shaq and Malone. I'll take the Nuggets by 7.
Awesome preview, great unique layout, structure and tidbits. It's gonna be funny to see Grant being slaughtered by the sheer power of Nene. I only hope that Rush and Cook get some good minutes in. They're gonna be real big if given the chance of experience, and what better time then when they can temporarily replace the injured stars. Learn the part, become the backup.
Lakers getting stomped on by the nuggets. Rush is playing good, Kobe just doesnt look like himself these past 2 games.
Melo is bringing it to Kobe. Kobe even threw an elbow at him and Melo got in his face...Kobe wanted no part of it.
Man, this game is ugly...Has there been an offensive set run yet? This looks like a playground game...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting notMuchgame:</div><div class="quote_post">Man, this game is ugly...Has there been an offensive set run yet? This looks like a playground game...</div>And that is in the Nuggets favor.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rudeezy:</div><div class="quote_post">Melo is bringing it to Kobe. Kobe even threw an elbow at him and Melo got in his face...Kobe wanted no part of it.</div> Yeah, he doesn't need two trials this year. I like this game.
i cant ... believe we lost by so many points after losing gainst twolves i thought nuggets we would be able to beat ...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Crossover:</div><div class="quote_post">Yeah, he doesn't need two trials this year. I like this game. </div> I'm sure you like any game where the Lakers lose, right? Didn't see this one, had a basketball game. I can't say anything anymore, the reason of the losing is not changing, it's the same thing every time. Lakers get out rebounded(Got out rebounded 60 to 37 tonight! , Kobe gets no scoring help(though Payton did pitch in well tonight on the offensive side), and their also totally out matched every game. Just check out the sig, I don't think we can beat a West team right now, without Shaq. BTW: What the hell is up with Devean George lately? 5-28 in his last 3 games? We need Shaq and Malone back badly, we'll just have to wait. Box Score Recap
The problem is probably that there is still too much concentrated on Kobe alone and that there is lack of team spirit. Look at nuggets or even twolves right now, they dont have only one player that scores much.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Purple N Gold:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm sure you like any game where the Lakers lose, right? Didn't see this one, had a basketball game. I can't say anything anymore, the reason of the losing is not changing, it's the same thing every time. Lakers get out rebounded(Got out rebounded 60 to 37 tonight! , Kobe gets no scoring help(though Payton did pitch in well tonight on the offensive side), and their also totally out matched every game. Just check out the sig, I don't think we can beat a West team right now, without Shaq. BTW: What the hell is up with Devean George lately? 5-28 in his last 3 games? We need Shaq and Malone back badly, we'll just have to wait. Box Score Recap</div> Nah, not really game. But, the Nuggets are one of my favorite teams (they have the Bird Man and Carmelo, c'mon - Boykins, too). So you know how that goes. As for George, I see him as a complimentary player. He compliments very well with the bigger stronger guys, because they draw a lot of attention, making for more opportunities for him. Without them, his shooting percentage drops and he loses motivation, seeing that for the most part, he can't create on his own.
