<div align="center"></div> <div align="center"> </div> <div align="center"></div> <div align="center">Time: 7:30 p.m. PT Location: Staples Center TV:ESPN</div> Season Series: Lakers 1-0 1/10/05: Lakers 105, T'Wolves 96 Previous Games: Raptors @ Timberwolves 100-91 L Jazz @ Lakers 102-94 L Last 10 Games: T'Wolves 3-7 (Lost 1) Lakers 6-4 (Lost 1) Head Coaches: Probable Starters: Anthony Carter/Chucky Atkins trenton Hassell/Sasha Vujacic Latrell Sprewell/Caron Butler Kevin Garnett/Lamar Odom John Thomas/Chris Mihm Sixth Men Troy Hudson/Brian Cook Injury Report T'Wolves Ndudi Ebi Sam Cassell Michael Olowokandi (suspension) Lakers Kobe Bryant Devean George <div align="center">Players To Watch </div> <div align="center">Kevin Garnett & Lamar Odom</div> <div align="center">Garnett: 23.1 pts, 14.90 rebs, 6.2 assists, 1.59 steals Odom: 14.4 pts, 10.60 rebs, 2.7 assists, .67 steals </div> <u>Emo's Laker Analysis</u> Odom's Sudden Offensive Outbursts: I must say it's very unfortunate that Kobe Bryant is injured with his sprained foot, and I seriously don't know what got into Lamar recently in Kobe's absence, but he's now slowly starting to become the Lamar Odom he's capable of being in Los Angeles. He's becoming more aggressive with the basketball, he's getting more accustomed to the low post which is one of his biggest strengths, besides the Utah game in which he was just horrible, he's taking better shot attempts, and is not shying away from leading his team to a victory. With ourselves being short of offensive firepower with Kobe still nursing his injury, a sole focus of points will need to come from Odom tonight. And I'm not talking about his typical 13 pt 12 rebound games either. I'm talking more of a 30-10-5 performance. Shot Selections: Just an awful game previously against the Jazz in which we shot a poor 39.5% from the field. I didn't get a chance to watch that game since I can only pretty much see nationally televised broadcasts, but my gut feeling tells me a bunch of forced shots, rushing shot attempts, and a bunch of downgrading statistics. Minnesota is going to come into our house looking to avenge their loss earlier to us this month, and with themselves being one of the disappointing teams in the league this year, they're hungry for a victory and the Lakers just can't settle to struggle mightily from the field. We need to be solid, hit open shots with ease, and whatever happens to stay consistent. <u>Emo's Laker Prediction 1/20/05</u> This is a tough one to call just because Minnesota is very hungry looking for something to build on in this dismal 19-18 start, but I'm going with the Lakers on this one just because they're playing in the friendly confines of Staples Center. Lakers by 2.
Wow Emo off by just one. I liked Chucky and Carons aggressiveness and even though Lamar was in foul trouble teams already respect him as a threat with those double teams. Good win by the Lakers.
Atkins was solid tonight. Once again, Lamar was huge for us in the clutch, his stats are misleading. He is a major factor in why we won, he was in foul trouble all game, but him and KG went at it blow for blow in the 4th. Atkins..play like that with Kobe in the lineup. I am starting to believe Caron is destined to be Kobe's Odom. The kid has so much potential...and with Kobe taking him under his wing, he will learn.
This game was amazing, both teams played great down the stretch of the game, but I'm glad the Lakers pulled it out. Caron Butler's jam, Odom's one on one matchups with KG, and Atkins setting the nets on fire last night. Huge win for the Lakers to start their homecourt stretch. They finally played as a team, and Atkins finally did a good job of driving and dishing. Lamar Odom did a nice job closing out the win going right at KG and taking him to the rim three times. If we can finally take this momentum and run with it, the Lakers won't lose much ground with Kobe injured. Go LakeShow!
