On The Real - Blazers vs. Lakers

Portland Trailblazers (17 - 25) @ Los Angeles Lakers (23 - 19)

Date: Tuesday, February 1st
Time: 7:30 PM
TV: FSN, NBALP

Previous Games
Clippers @ Blazers 90 - 86 (WIN)
Bobcats @ Lakers 101 - 90 (WIN)

— Projected Starting Lineups —
Blazers
C - Joel Przybilla (4.0 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 0.7 APG)
PF - Theo Ratliff (5.0 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 0.6 APG)
SF - Ruben Patterson (9.9 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 1.7 APG)
SG - Nick Van Exel (11.1 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 3.9 APG)
PG - Damon Stoudamire (14.5 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 5.5 APG)
Coach - Maurice Cheeks

Lakers
C - Chris Mihm (10.8 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 0.7 APG)
PF - Lamar Odom (14.9 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 3.3 APG)
SF - Jumaine Jones (6.6 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 0.8 APG)
SG - Caron Butler (14.6 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 1.6 APG)
PG - Chucky Atkins (13.1 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 4.3 APG)
Coach - Rudy Tomjanovich

— Who Dat? —
Blazers
Sebastian Telfair
Predicted Stats: 11 points, 0 rebounds, 4 assists

Lakers
Sasha Vujacic
Predicted Stats: 10 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists

— Who Got Game? —
Blazers
Damon Stoudamire
Predicted Stats: 28 points, 1 rebound, 9 assists

Lakers
Caron Butler
Predicted Stats: 25 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists

— Brandon’s Analysis —
The Lakers could find themselves in trouble against the Blazers tonight. Rumors of Rudy stepping down as the Lakers’ head coach will play a huge factor tonight, as well as him not being there in the first place. Los Angeles fought with the Bobcats a few nights ago…the Blazers may put up an even bigger fight at STAPLES against the Lakers, led by Caron Butler (or Atkins…or Odom).

Watch for Damon Stoudamire taking advantage of the weak defensive backcourt of LA tonight. You may even see Telfair get his own shot at exposing the Lakers’ “tierre-ible” D…and let’s not fail to mention Atkins’ ability to wander from his man every couple of plays. If the Lakers don’t get their act together on defense, they’ll continue to see 100+ points from every team until the end of April.

With Anderson missing tonight’s game, Miles serving his suspension, and Shareef still out with an elbow injury, the Lakers do have a shot at winning this game. I’m not exactly sure why Randolph is coming off the bench, but this may be the key to picking up a win versus Cheeks and his Blazers. If the Lakers can build a good lead before Zach and Telfair come off the bench against our weak bench players, we can hold onto the lead until the fourth, and fight it out…turning this game into a nail-biter (wow…I miss Kobe).

With Rudy a no-show, how many threes will the Lakers attempt? It’s a big question…but if anyone, I’d like to see Sasha attempt a few if he gets open. He’s not bad from 20+ feet…especially when he’s free to hit from downtown. A nice run to close out the first half, and another to end the 3rd, could really benefit LA and give Portland a tough lead to bust in the 4th quarter.

— Brandon’s Prediction —
The Blazers will attempt to steal the show in the first quarter by building up a 6-point lead. In the second, the Lakers will take advantage of the Caron/Van Exel matchup, where Butler will score 11 of his 25 points in the second. Eventually, LA will take the lead and hold onto it, winning the game by 6, 92-86.