Gameday Pr0phile - Blazers

Los Angeles Lakers (18-16, 3rd Pacific)

Portland Trailblazers (10-24, 5th Northwest)

Lakers Team Stats
Offense 96.9 ppg, 20.2 apg, 42.4 rpg
Defense 94.4 ppg, 19.7 apg, 40.9 rpg

Blazers Team Stats
Offense 87.0 ppg, 17.2 apg, 38.9 rpg
Defense 95.7 ppg, 19.6 apg, 43.1 rpg

Season Series
The teams have not met this season.
Last Meeting:

Despite Kobe’s 37 points, the Lakers lost 103-97, 25th April, 2k5

image courtesy AP / Danny Moloshok

Top 6 Lakers

PG Smush Parker 11.3 points, 3.0 assists, 3.0 rebounds
SG Kobe Bryant 34.1 points, 4.5 assists, 5.8 rebounds
SF Lamar Odom 14.7 points, 5.4 assists, 9.5 rebounds
PF Kwame Brown 5.9 points, 0.9 assists, 5.9 rebounds
C Chris Mihm 10.0 points, 0.8 assists, 6.6 rebounds
6th Brian Cook 7.4 points, 0.9 assists, 3.2 rebounds

Top 6 Blazers
PG Steve Blake 7.1 points, 3.9 assist, 2.4 rebounds
SG Juan Dixon 11.9 points, 2.2 assists, 2.5 rebounds
SF Travis Outlaw 4.2 points, 0.5 assists, 2.4 rebounds
PF Zach Randolph 17.9 points, 1.8 assists, 8.8 rebounds
C Joel Pryzbilla 6.7 points, 0.6 assists, 7.3 rebounds
6th THE KOBE STOPPER 11.4 points, 1.1 assists, 3.2 rebounds

Key Matchup: Kwame vs. Zach Randolph

Really, other than Randolph, the Blazers are a pretty bad team. Randolph, however, is nearly averaging a double double and is coming off of two solid games in a row with nearly 20 points and 11 boards in both contests. Kwame has averaged nearly a double double in his last two games as he looks to find his way in the triangle offense. His defense has continued to be solid. Look for Kwame to do a pretty good job in this matchup against a smaller opponent. If Kwame can hold Randolph to a poor shooting game and keep him around 15 points, LA should earn an easy victory.

Featured Peformers
Kobe Bryant 34 points, 5 assists, 7 rebounds
Zach Randolph 14 points, 2 assists, 8 rebounds

Outlook

Have the Lakers hit their stride again? After a five-game losing streak, Kobe has put the team on his back for the past three games. At least, that’s what the outsiders see. They don’t see the big game from Odom, especially in the second half of last game. They don’t see consistent contributions from Cook off of the bench, from Kwame and Mihm in the starting lineup. They don’t see Smush’s big game against Philly, or Sasha’s 56% 3pt shooting over the past 5 games. They just focus on Bryant. Just like some teams try to do. And that’s why LA wins games.

Take nothing away from Bryant for his amazing scoring run. It’s simply ridiculous. But look at the players around him. This season (as opposed to last), they’re showing up more frequently, are playing better ball all around, especcially on the defensive side of the ball. Lakers are almost playing team ball…when that happens consistently, LA will be a very good team. And, hey. Even if it is all Kobe right now and the critics are right, they’re still the 7th seed for the playoffs right now.

Lakers 101
Blazers 87