by JSM on Sun Nov 16, 2003 11:32 am
alright...here's the breakdown for tonight's matchups
player matchups
Payton/Wade- Wade has been playing well, but he is too inexperienced to pose a threat to Payton. Payton gets to take advantage of another rookie. Payton won't have to play great D, since Wade has yet to show any signs of being a scoring threat. Payton should be able to out play Wade, just off of his knowledge of the game alone. Expect Payton to: be able to score when he pleases, get some easy steals and force turnovers (same thing pretty much), and be able to get some easy assists.
Kobe/Jones-Jones has actually been playing with some consistency. Jones will probably give Kobe some more problems than Hamilton did, since he's better at D and bigger than Rip. Kobe is still quicker than Jones is, and will probably have a good night once he tires out Jones. And Kobe will have gotten some rest, something he didn't have much of when he played against Detroit.
George/Odom- this is where we may have some problems. Odom is much bigger and longer than George. I think George will struggle, because he will have a hard time getting off his shot over Odom. And George won't be able to do much to stop Odom on D, because of Odom's size. So Malone and Shaq will have to come out some, to help aggravate Odom's shot, if they don't Odom will have a big night against us
Malone/Haslem-Haslem has only played decently when he went against teams either without big men, or a team that had a very weak inside presence. Well, he is going against Malone and Shaq will be in the paint too, so I don't expect him to do much of anything...he won't be able to have any shot opportunities or any chances at getting many rebounds.
Malone should have a good night, and get a double-double.
Shaq/B. Grant-Grant isn't much bigger than Haslem, and is a very undersized center. Shaq is much bigger than him, and should be able to have his way with him, and do as he wants in the paint. Look for Shaq to have a big game, since there is nothing preventing him from doing so. Shaq will also get a double-double.
Game info
It looks pretty good for us, since our record is 72 and the Heat's is 2-7. And the Heat are trying to get used to having Van Gundy as their head coach. Also remember the following: they have yet win win a game on the road, we have won 19 straight home games (regular season), and last time we played them ( Jan. 12) the final score was 106-81.
Follow Club Lakers on Twitter
), near the triple-double 
