Tues. 3/5 - Lakers @ Thunder - Predictions & Comments

Tuesday, March 5th
Live: 6:30 PM PST
TV: TNT
Radio: KSPN-AM 710/KWKW-AM 1330
Online Radio Link: http://espn.go.com/espnradio/losangeles/play?s=la

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Let's steal this one Lakers Ibaka for sure gonna get suspend and Dwight can finally become dominant again

We'll have our hands full. Hopefully we can pull it out, would be a huge win.

Most people are probably predicting this to be a loss, but man if we could somehow win this game it'll really go a long way in helping us make the playoffs. It'll give us both the momentum for winning in OKC and of course the +1 in the win column.

i think it's time we won a convincing game against an elite team. doing that on the road to take us over 0.500 would do wonders for the confidence of the team and its fans.

I really, really, really, really want it....

I just don't see it.

It's gonna suck to back under .500 again but it's just all too likely.

But I will say this, if we go into OKC and win this game and match up with the Thunder in the 1st round we will put some fear in their hearts about that matchup and our guys will have a lot of confidence that they can beat them. This would be a big win

Lakers by 5

This has to be a team effort. Can't just rely on Kobe. Dwight needs to step up and be that elite player we've been expecting to see.

QUICK PREVIEW
Lakers (30-30) at Thunder (43-16)
9:30 PM EST

LAKERS
Won last 2
10-19 on the road
17-20 vs. West

PROBABLE STARTERS
Steve Nash 12.1 points, 7.2 assists, 2.8 rebounds
Kobe Bryant 27.3 points, 5.6 assists, 5.5 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 16.1 points, 1.5 assists, 12.0 rebounds

THUNDER
Won last 1
26-4 at home
30-9 vs. West

PROBABLE STARTERS
Russell Westbrook 23.4 points, 7.9 assists, 5.2 rebounds
Thabo Sefolosha 7.8 points, 1.7 assists, 4.1 rebounds
Kevin Durant 28.6 points, 4.6 assists, 7.8 rebounds
Serge Ibaka 13.6 points, 0.6 assists, 7.8 rebounds
Kendrick Perkins 4.5 points, 1.6 assists, 5.9 rebounds

PREDICTION
The Thunder have taken two of three this season against the Lakers and eight of the last eleven dating back to last season. This would be a huge win for the Lakers, but it seems rather unlikely that they'll escape with the win.

Kevin Durant has averaged nearly 38 points in the last three against LA, and Russell Westbrook has chipped in nearly 26 points and 10 assists. That duo is going to be tough to overcome. A mammoth game from Dwight Howard could open some shooters and knockdown threes could open some driving lanes for Kobe, but it's all a long shot for LA.

Lakers 105
Thunder 117

Loss. Hopefully we bounce back tho.

Well don't forget Ibaka might be suspended so that would give us a green light to attack.

As much as I want it, that Denver game made me lose confidence in winning a big game & making a statement. I see us hanging around for a bit then Thunder pulling away around the 3rd.

At least tomorrow we can get back to .500 hopefully with a win over the Hornets.

Mike Bresnahan ‏@Mike_Bresnahan
Lakers haven't heard anything about a suspension for OKC's Serge Ibaka. "We're thinking he's playing," Mike D'Antoni said.

Of course....why am i not suprised?!

I have a football booster meeting tonight,so will probably only see the second half. I am guessing that this will be a tight one, with the winner doing so by a margin less than 4 points. The homer in me is predicting the Lakers will win by 1.

Remembering back to the last time we played, I feel like we won that game bc Kobe's facilitating caught OKC off guard. And of course he hit some ridiculous shots down the stretch

Hopefully we've improved since then and don't rely on old habits (i.e Kobe scoring a bunch) or Kobe overpassing to win this game.

Total BS. How can a guy throw a punch like that and not get suspended 1 game??? Makes no sense. Of course, if his next game wasn't against the Lakers the League would have already said something.

tigerjeterkobe wrote:Total BS. How can a guy throw a punch like that and not get suspended 1 game??? Makes no sense. Of course, if his next game wasn't against the Lakers the League would have already said something.

Yeah... Flagrant 2, 25K fine & no suspension?

I like Kobe's response

I want to suggest a win. But I still need to drink a few more shots. I'm bearish

therealdeal wrote:I really, really, really, really want it....

I just don't see it.

Whatever the result...all I know given their play of late is that they won't lay down like dogs. Mad respect to all canines everywhere.

I really want a win tonight. We'll have to play a perfect game to get this one.

All that's missing is for Dwight to show up and have a really big game. Not holding my breath.

These games never start on time

Wrath12X wrote:These games never start on time

I know. I dont know why they just cant move the first game up by 5 minutes?