Time: 7:30 p.m. Location: Staples Center TV: FSN, NBALP ---------------------- Probable Starters: Sam Cassell/Gary Payton Trenton Hassell/Kobe Bryant Latrell Sprewell/Devean George Kevin Garnett/Slava Medvedenko Ervin Johnson/Shaquille O'Neal ---------------------------------- Injury Report: Timberwolves- Michael Olowokandi-Out Wally Szczerbiak-Out Lakers- Karl Malone-Out Brian Cook-Out ------------------- Keys to the game: -The keys for Minnesota is they'll have to get their backcourt up and running. Sam Cassell and Latrell Sprewell will have to do a lot better than their average performances in Oakland. Secondly, they'll have to feed the ball to Kevin Garnett in the low post. Whoever the Lakers put on him, whether it's Slava Medvedenko, or Jamal Sampson or Luke Walton off the bench, he'll clearly take advantage. Lastly, if they continue to use their transitional game and score easy points off that, they should be fine. With Kobe and Shaq back from their injuries, I don't think they'll be fast enough to keep up on the break. - The keys for Los Angeles is also on the success of their backcourt. Gary Payton will have to continue his pace of excellent shooting whether he's penetrating to the basket, or if one of his teammates is being double-teamed and he's wide open for a good look at the basket. Kobe Bryant even though he's still not at 100%, will have to try and not force too many baskets. If Kobe's smart, he shouldn't do too much penetrating to the hoop because he will receive a ton of contact as opponents will try and get that bad left shoulder. Shaq will receive limited minutes for a second straight game, so I look for him to slowly get back to the dominant force he is. Dominating the low post, making inside shots, teaming up with Medvedenko on offensive and defensive rebounds, and second chance opportunities. Laker Fever's prediction- The Timberwolves are the second best team in the league behind the Sacramento Kings, and they have the best road record in the Western Conference, but the Lakers are 20-3 at Staples Center. A place where they play confidently and consistently. Lakers by a comfortable 8 pts.
This is the first time ever I want the Lakers to win. I hope they rip them a new *******, now that Shaq's back. If he can shave off the rust, that is... Lakers by 7.
I'll go with the Lakers in this game by 8. Looking at the rosters, I don't which match-up is more lopsided, KG vs. Slava or Shaq vs. EJ. I think the Lakers are going to come out with fire in this game and overwhelm the TWolves right from the start. The Lakers need a statement game and this is their opportunity to get a huge home win and get back in the top 3 or 4 spot out West. The Lakers need to get Shaq off by pounding inside early and often. Things have worked in the Lakers favor leading up to this game, by Shaq and Kobe coming back, and the TWolves losing the player who killed the Lakers last season, Troy Hudson, to ankle injury. My prediction, Lakers take an early lead, lose most of it in the 3rd quarter, and then pull out a nice win down the stretch.
Lakers- 96 Wolves-93 Cassell rips the Lakers, but Kobe and Shaq come through down the stretch as Shaq shakes off some rust and scores 22.
I will take the Lakers in this one as well. Lakers at home = Lakers win. However, Shaq will have to log in big minutes, he will be the X factor down the stretch of the game. Lakers have to get big defensive stops in this one, can't let the T-Wolves settle into their offense, because that's when they come most dangerous. My prediction is the Lakers by 5.
I know I might sound crazy but I would use a small line up just to start. If you start Mark Madsen early, he can beat Shaq up the court everytime off of rebounds. Shaq not in NBa condtion right now, you have to run him to death early. Phil Jackson will more than like sit shaq , early if you run him. This will give the edge back to the t-wolves. And if they can take advantage early, then shaq pressence in the low post becomes less of a factor down the stretch. If the t-wolves can build a big lead & not give it up when the lakers make that 3rd/early 4th home court push to come back. Then you take shaq 4th quarter minutes away from him. Phil is going to play shaq alot of minutes inorder to bring the lakers back. So basicly what Iam saying is run him early because it will take away his minutes late. The lakers arent over concerned about winning games right now. They are more concerned with getting everyone 100% for there late playoff push. So phil isnt going to put shaq in any situation to get a re-injury, right now. A uptempo style of play would put that risk out there. So Mark Madsen is better than EJ at getting up & down the court. The T-wolves will more than likely double with KG & play alot of zone anyway. So why not use the smaller lineup.
The point guard position will again be key in this game,Cassell had his way with Payton in the last meeting.The same will need to happen again If Wolves are to win this game.Sprewell needs to shoot consistantly from the outside,in Golden State he never got going on the offensive end.We know what KG is going to do,It's just a matter of the other two of the big 3 coming to play. Should be a great game
I expect Payton to get the better end this time around. I'd always like to see the Lakers lose but this time it'll be hard for Minnesota to win. Lakers by 4.
Wolves by 5 in an upset to laker fans. The Lakers will keep it even through the 4th but fall apart at the final minutes IMO. Payton should come to play as well
Oh yeah and the t-wolves have one of the best pick & roll plays between Sam & their big men. I would put Shaq in the pick & roll everytime in the half court set . He hates guarding that play. Yeah the GPvs Sam match up wont be as lopsided this time around. Its probably going to be a back & forth war. The T-wolves are going to need a 4th player to step up & get into double digits hopefully Fred Hoiberg is knocking down his outside shot that could change the complexion of the entire game.
I think the Wolves have the advantage overall, defense and offense. However having Shaq and Kobe back definitely raise the Lakers chances. George and Slava will be outplayed, probably Payton as well. Not an easy win for us, but I say Timberwolves by 9.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TimFlem:</div><div class="quote_post">Wolves by 5 in an upset. The Lakers will keep it even through the 4th but fall apart at the final minutes IMO. Payton should come to play as well</div> How is the T-Wolves winning this game an upset? Minnesota is the #2 team in the West right now, and have been playing great ball lately. While the Lakers have only had Kobe back for 3 games, Shaq for 1, and are both not 100% for their injuries. Like I said, should be a good game, but I think the Lakers will pull away the lead in the 4th q.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AllNet:</div><div class="quote_post">Been reported Kobe will not play tonight and will be out for a week.Can't see a Lakers win tonight.</div>Man this just took alot of steam off this game but the lakers can still pull this one out. Shaq/GP is a very fromable duo. But if the T-wolves get up big early, I dont see LA having alot of fight in them with a gimpy shaq & no kobe. And GP has to out play Sam inorder for LA to win now.
I am changing my prediction now that Kobe is not gonna play. Lakers win by 15. LOL, just kidding! I don't see the Lakers winning without Kobe, but I feel optomistic for some reason. By the way, what is next for the Lakers? Shaq is out 2-3 weeks with a severe case of diharrea?!
Yep, T-Wolves by 10 is my prediction. Shaq back from 1 game, no way Lakers are taking this one tonight. I was pumped for a great game tonight, with all our starters healthy except Malone, I'm dissapointed. It will still be a good one to watch, but like Henacy said, Kobe being hurt took a lot of steam out of this one.
I am still sticking next to my prediction, I thinkn Shaq will have a big game...him and his stupid right calf...and GP will be big tonight w/Devean George showing up for tonights game
We need some bench production! (Fisher, Slava, Rush) It would also be nice if Foxy has his first breakout game since his injury. We can only hope for a good game tonight!
