i also take lakers but i like this one in a blowout, how about a 20 pt win? not to diss on heat but shaq is motivated i guess after he said the lakes should have outscored the Magic by 20, 30, not by 2.... so i guess this would turn out to be one... also kobe isn't expected to play again... that's sad but payton said this is the first time all season he's seen kobe in spirited and energetic moods... that's cool... i guess kobe would play the last road game...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Fishball:</div><div class="quote_post">i also take lakers but i like this one in a blowout</div> I'm sure Dallas had that same attitude going into their game last night against the Hawks . Also, Dwyane Wade is back and he will be playing tonight, and this could seal the Lakers fate. The Lakers only come to Miami once a year and I know that the Heat have been preparing for this one for a long time. I predict the heat will win by 5
Nice preview, struggle against the heat....that's pretty bad. Well they're not as bad as the Hawks or Wizards I suppose. Lakers can take this if Fisher shoots well, Heat have a great chance if Wade plays well off the bench and really adds to this game. Let's face it, Devean George isn't really a factor here. Butler will easily take care of him with his awesome defense. Hopefully there is no longer any friction between him and Alston. Alston must shoot well, even though he's not that much of a shooter or pass very often for easy baskets. You have to get ahead quick, control the boards and tire them out. Odom will have a hard time contending with Shaq and Slava, maybe Grant can help him out. Heat by 1-3 in a buzzer beater.
I'm going with the Lakers by 9 in this one. If the Lakers can build momentum early and start hitting shots in rhythm, they should be able to build confidence as they play. And they cannot go on another shooting slump. They must be able to shoot about 50% for the game. Just like what Purple N Gold said, get the ball around to Shaq, and allow the backcourt to create shots for themselves. Nothing more simpler than that. This team really has to buckle down on defense, and not allow the opponent to make huge runs at them. They have to shut Miami down and they have to do for 48 minutes total. Lastly, if Luke Walton gets a ton of minutes, don't be surprised. I've heard Phil was impressed by Luke's performance and plans to give the rookie extended minutes.
I thought the Magic game was going to be a Lakers blow out, some I'm not going to underestimate how bad we are right now. I'm going to take the Lakers by 5 in this game. The team came together after an emotional win in Orlando, and I expect the momentum to carry over tonight. I'm worried about us containing Lamar Odom, so far power forwards have been going off on us every night. Eddie Jones always brings his A game against the Lakers, but hopefully Rush can neutralize his production. The Big Fella needs to make his free throws, because Riley is going to have plenty of bodies hacking him all night, trying to frustrate O'Neal. Last game Luke Walton stepped up to give us a lift, so we'll need him or someone else to do the same tonight to seal this victory. Prediction: Lakers by 5
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TimFlem:</div><div class="quote_post">Lakers by 4. If they can't blow us out then they surely can't blow Dallas out.</div> You mean Miami right?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Laker_Fever_834:</div><div class="quote_post">You mean Miami right? </div> Yeah sorry my mind was somewhere else.
I say Heat by 4, They are a very good team at home, Wade should be playing today i think he missed the last 2 games but i dont know why. They must double shaq.
The Heat might pull off an upset here. I hope they do because it seems more and more likely that the Lakers might not be that great after all. The Heat will probably play better than everyone predicted them to and maybe, just maybe, the Heat takes this by 8.
I'm loving this. Lakers just started toying with the Heat towards the end of the game. I don't know what Shaq had inside of him tonight, but he looked like the Shaq of his pirme. He simply dominated this game, and opened up the offense for our other players. And what has gotten into Derek Fisher? Last game he was clutch for the Lakers, and shot well. And today, 6-9 for 18 points off the bench, everything was clicking for LA tonight. George also played great tonight, posting a double double with 17 points and 11 rebounds. The game started off slow for the Lakers, but they were able to pick it up in the 2nd quarter and played well from then on. Big W for the Lakers tonight, and it looks like Kobe should be back in the next game or two.
good game!! BIG is coming into his own he's dominating at the end of the game... pleasant to see... Fish, George, and Payton were all fabulous....
Wow, and what an excellent 19th birthday celebration it was for me. After having 3 helpings of cake, I went to SportsCenter and watched highlights of our Lakers just completely dominate the Miami Heat en route to a 98-83 victory. Players to point out in this victory: Shaquille O'Neal of course was the main priority in this one scoring 25 pts on 12/18 shooting. Gary Payton 17, on 7/19 shooting, Derek Fisher 17, and also went on a 8-0 tear in the fourth quarter to help LA get to the W, and the guy I just love to criticize all day. Devean "Gump" George..a double-double 17 pts 11 boards. Now it's official. I'm happy to report Kobe Bryant will definitely return tonight for Lakers/Rockets at Houston, and I'm sure these Lakers would want revenge on the Christmas Day loss back in Staples Center.
