MAGIC @ LAKERS PREVIEW

MASSACRE’S MATCHUPS - ORL MAGIC (14-4) @ LA LAKERS (9-7)

GAME PREVIEW (ANALYSIS):

Orlando has started off the season at a 14-4 record, primarliy because of the play they’ve received from 4th year NBA Center, Dwight Howard. They’ll look to continue their brilliant road play tonight as they face the 9-7 Los Angeles Lakers, but it will be a difficult task as the Magic have lost 10 consecutive games to the Lakers in Los Angeles, without a victory in over 12 seasons.

Los Angeles is coming off a 120-96 loss in Utah, a game in wihch the Jazz we’re missing both Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur. Despite missing their starting PF/C combo, Utah managed to dominate Los Angeles inside.

“One of my coaches said we were as soft as Dairy Queen ice cream (at Utah),” coach Phil Jackson said.

Utah scored a total of 70 points in the paint, a large precentage coming from Deron Williams who scored 35 points for the Jazz. “They were just having a frolic in the lane,” Jackson said. “Our big guys just didn’t step up and play and our guards weren’t controlling the dribble and penetration.”

Kobe Bryant scored 28 points Friday night, surpassing another great, John Stockton, on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. Bryant is currently sitting in 31st with 19,738 career points. His next target is Tom Chambers with 20,049 career points.

Maurice Evans and Brian Cook will return to Los Angeles for the first time since they we’re dealt to orlando for 6-8 G-F Trevor Ariza.

MASSACRE’S MATCHUP:

Andrew Bynum, Los Angeles Lakers - Bynum will matchup with another promising center tonight. Look for a lot of open baskets inside as Bryant commands the double teams. Predicted stats: 17 points, 12 rebounds 1 block.

Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic - Dwight Howard’s career numbers against the Lakers won’t lead you to beleive the 21 year old Center is averaging 15 rebounds through nearly 20 games this season. Friday you witnessed the Deron Williams, and unless the Lakers plan on playing physical inside get ready for the Dwight Howard show. Predicted stats: 32 points, 14 rebounds 3 blocks.

PROBABLE STARTERS:

G: Jameer Nelson
[Career vs. LAL: 6.6 PPG, 3.4 APG, 3.0 RPG, 34.2 % FG, 3.3 3PT]
G: Keith Bogans
[Career vs. LAL: 6.4 PPG, 1.4 APG, 3.4 RPG, 43.5 % FG, 38.9 3PT]
C: Dwight Howard
[Career vs. LAL: 11.7 PPG, 1.2 BPG, 8.3 RPG, 56.3 % FG]
F: Rashard Lewis
[Career vs. LAL: 17.1 PPG, 1.2 SPG, 1.4 APG, 5.8 RPG, 49.6 % FG, 43.2 3PT]
F: Hedo Turkoglu
[Career vs. LAL: 7.6 PPG, 1.8 APG, 3.5 RPG, 40.7 % FG, 38.0 3PT]

INJURY REPORT:

Tony Battie: Left Rotator Cuff Surgery - Out

G: Derek Fisher
[Career vs. ORL: 10.5 PPG, 1.6 SPG, 3.9 APG, 2.4 RPG, 50.0 % FG, 54.6 3PT ]
G: Kobe Bryant
[Career vs. ORL: 24.3 PPG, 1.3 SPG, 5.6 APG, 4.6 RPG, 45.1 % FG, 33.3 3PT]
C: Andrew Bynum
[Career vs. ORL: 7.0 PPG, 1.7 BPG, 1.0 APG, 3.3 RPG, 75.0 % FG ]
F: Lamar Odom
[Career vs. ORL: 16.2 PPG, 1.2 SPG, 4.5 APG, 7.9 RPG, 48.6 % FG, 30.0 3PT]
F: Ronny Turiaf
[Career vs. ORL: 7.0 PPG, 2.5 BPG, 3.5 RPG, 55.6 % FG ]

INJURY REPORT:

Kwame Brown: Moderate ankle and knee sprains - Out

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PREDICTED OUTCOME: Dwight Howard will dominate sinde, as Orlando’s guards light it up from beyond the arc. Too much for Los Angeles to slow down, Magic walk out of STAPLES with a victory in a high-scoring contest.

6:30 PM Pacific | Sunday, December 2nd, 2007
TV: FSNW-HD | RADIO: AM 570 KLAC, ESPN 1330 |@ Los Angeles, CA