Sun. 3/3 - Lakers vs Hawks -Predictions & Comments

Sunday, March 3rd
Live: 6:30 PM PST
TV: TWCSN
Radio: KSPN-AM 710/KWKW-AM 1330
Online Radio Link: http://espn.go.com/espnradio/losangeles/play?s=la

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beat the crap out of them for that tweet.

Get some!

win this one man, and take down Thunder at their home

We struggle with fast athletic teams so I think Al Horford and Josh Smith will have big nights. I hope we win though because we need it.

Worried about this game. How have we done on Sundays this year at home? Not too good I think

This game is key.

Utah has two easy games next, and Houston has about 8 easy ones out of their next 10.

We get Atlanta AND OKC so that's why this win here is so vital, but I do have a bad feeling about it...

Need to guard their frontcourt, put some bodies on them. Tough game, but I think we'll pull it out

Every team knows how to beat the Lakers. If they are fast and have a good transition game they will have no problems.

QUICK PREVIEW
Lakers (29-30) vs. Hawks (33-24)
6:30 PM EST

LAKERS
Won last 1
19-11 at home
12-8 vs. East

PROBABLE STARTERS
Steve Nash 12.0 points, 7.1 assists, 2.8 rebounds
Kobe Bryant 27.2 points, 5.6 assists, 5.4 rebounds
Metta World Peace 12.6 points, 1.5 assists, 5.4 rebounds
Earl Clark 8.1 points, 1.1 assists, 6.3 rebounds
Dwight Howard 16.2 points, 1.5 assists, 11.9 rebounds

HAWKS
Lost last 1
15-14 on the road
13-10 vs. the West

PROBABLE STARTERS
Jeff Teague 14.4 points, 7.1 assists, 2.3 rebounds
Kyle Korver 11.4 points, 2.1 assists, 4.1 rebounds
DeShawn Stevenson 5.8 points, 0.9 assists, 2.2 rebounds
Josh Smith 17.2 points, 4.2 assists, 8.8 rebounds
Al Horford 17.2 points, 3.2 assists, 10.0 rebounds

PREDICTION
The Lakers and Hawks don't square off frequently. The last meeting was a bit over a year ago. In that game, the Lakers got a bit lift from Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum to secure an 86-76 win. Dwight Howard will do the dirty work for the Lakers; and here there is good and bad news. Howard's teams are just 2-9 in the last eleven games against Atlanta, but in those, Howard has posted monstrous numbers: 22.0 points, 15.4 boards, including ten double doubles, five 20/10 games, and a two-game tally of 79 points and 38 boards.

Atlanta is no joke, but LA will have home court. Howard and Clark should be able to have their way with the smaller front court of Atlanta. Moreover, the poor record of Howard's Orlando teams can be overlooked; the Magic never had a Kobe Bryant in the back court. Lakers should win and move to .500.

Lakers 108
Hawks 103

Howard's teams are just 2-9 in the last eleven games against Atlanta, but in those, Howard has posted monstrous numbers: 22.0 points, 15.4 boards, including ten double doubles, five 20/10 games, and a two-game tally of 79 points and 38 boards.

Atlanta is no joke, but LA will have home court. Howard and Clark should be able to have their way with the smaller front court of Atlanta. Moreover, the poor record of Howard's Orlando teams can be overlooked; the Magic never had a Kobe Bryant in the back court. Lakers should win and move to .500.

Well Dwight Howards teams were also not under .500 in March either. I was feeling a win until I read all that now its probably slight advantage Atlanta unless Dwight has turned some corner that I'm aware of. Plus one must assume Kobe has a bad game soon given his recent string of successes. Hopefully we snag this W tonight because we are losing on Tuesday regardless. Any win works at this point and thats probably the most embarassing I've ever said as a Laker fan its really almost nauseating to think about...oh how the mighty have fallen

Get the aloe! Someone's got a BURN

It's time to make a statement. Time is growing short. OKC beat LAC now it's time to make a run or go home or stay home in this case.

Dave McMenamin ‏@mcten

Lakers minority owner Patrick Soon-Shiong is in the Lakers locker room. Metta: "Coach Pat, how you doing, baby?"

Battle Tested20 wrote:

Dave McMenamin ‏@mcten

Lakers minority owner Patrick Soon-Shiong is in the Lakers locker room. Metta: "Coach Pat, how you doing, baby?"

Los Angeles Lakers ‏@Lakers
World #1 tennis player @DjokerNole is here tonight. Had to get some shots up pregame. #GoLakers pic.twitter.com/GwlANeE8MR

Federer > DJoker just sayin

XXIV wrote:

Los Angeles Lakers ‏@Lakers
World #1 tennis player @DjokerNole is here tonight. Had to get some shots up pregame. #GoLakers pic.twitter.com/GwlANeE8MR

Federer > DJoker just sayin

I agree

Los Lakers.

About to fire up a Tom Collins and a (mostly) paleo brownie.

Lets go Lakers! must win game !

Charging

Ball don't lie, it was half charge half block

What a block by Dwight!

Lakers 104
Hawks 96