Lakers @ Grizzlies Preview

LA LAKERS (21-11) @ MEM GRIZZLIES (10-23) [GAME 33]

GAME PREVIEW (ANALYSIS):

The last time the Lakers visited the FedEx Forum, Kobe Bryant left Memphis fans in awe as he tallied 60 points, making 20 of his 37 field goal attempts. The Lakers needed every one of those points, en route to a 121-119 victory.

This time around, it’s a different story. Bryant is averaging nearly 27 points per game — which translates to a 5 point dropoff from last season. Bryant hasn’t had to carry a heavy scoring load throughout this early season — due in large part to the production Los Angeles has been receiving from the bench coupled with the emergence of Center Andrew Bynum.

Bynum scored 23 points on 8-11 shooting from the field and grabbed 13 rebounds as the Lakers put away the Pacers at home, for the 9th consecutive time, dating back to their NBA Finals meetings.

“Andrew’s playing great,” forward Lamar Odom said. “He’s dominating the inside and moving the ball and everyone’s getting the ball. It’s fun to play like that.”

Odom, who returned from a one game suspension due to his flagarant foul on Boston’s Ray Allen, finished with 13 points & 13 rebounds against Indiana.

The Lakers improved to an undefeated 7-0 record when all 5 starters score in double figures. “The bench has pulled us out of a lot of jams this year, too,” forward Luke Walton said. “They struggled a little bit tonight. They’ve got our backs and we’ve got their backs.”

Los Angeles aims for it’s 13th win in 16 tries tonight at Memphis.

MASSACRE’S MATCHUP:

The Lakers begin a key 2 game road trip tonight, their oppponents being Memphis & New Orleans. The Hornets sit with a 23-11 mark, one game ahead of Los Angeles for the 5th seed in a tightly-packed Western Conference. Despite being the 6th seed in the Western Conference, the Lakers are only 2.0 games out of first place and how they fair in the next 2 games would do a lot of damage — negative or positive.

PROBABLE STARTERS:

Mike Conley Jr., Mike Miller, Rudy Gay, Pau Gasol, Darko Milicic

INJURY REPORT:

No injuries reported.

Derek Fisher, Kobe Bryant, Trevor Ariza, Lamar Odom, Andrew Bynum

INJURY REPORT:

Kwame Brown: Moderate Ankle & Knee Sprains - Probable
Chris Mihm: Right Ankle Bursitis - Out (Not With Team)
Vladimir Radmanovic: Sprained Right Ankle - Out (Not With Team)
Sasha Vujacic: Sprained Left Ankle & Back Spasms - Questionable

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PREDICTED OUTCOME: Phil Jackson better have plans of starting Trevor Ariza tonight. The Laker defense will go a long way in deciding the result of this game. Rudy Gay has matured into a deadly wing scorer, and Los Angeles can’t let him heat up, especially with Mike Miller out on the perimter as well.

LA should have no problem putting away a team they are clearly better than.

Time: 5:00pm | TV: KCAL/9 HD | Radio: KLAC AM 570, ESPN 1330

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