On The Real - Cavs vs. Lakers

Cleveland Cavaliers (21 - 12) @ Los Angeles Lakers (18 - 15)

Date: Wednesday, January 13th
Time: 7:30 PM
TV: TNT

Previous Games:
Bobcats @ Cavs 100-98 OT (WIN)
Lakers @ Nuggets 95-83 (LOSS)

— Projected Starting Lineups —
Cavs

C - Zyrundas Ilgaukas (16.5 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 1.6 APG)
PF - Drew Gooden (13.8 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 1.6 APG)
SF - LeBron James (24.4 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 7.2 APG)
SG - Ira Newble (5.9 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 1.0 APG)
PG - Jeff McInnis (15.3 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 5.6 APG)
Coach - Paul Silas

Lakers

C - Chris Mihm (10.9 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 0.7 APG)
PF - Lamar Odom (14.2 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 2.7 APG)
SF - Caron Butler (13.4 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 1.3 APG)
SG - Kobe Bryant (28.2 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 6.7 APG)
PG - Chucky Atkins (11.4 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 3.9 APG)
Coach - Rudy Tomjanovich

— Who Dat? —

Cavs
Anderson Varejao
Predicted Stats: 7 points, 5 rebounds, 0 assists

Lakers
Tierre Brown
Predicted Stats: 8 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists

— Who Got Game? —

Cavs
LeBron James
Predicted Stats: 29 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists

Lakers
Kobe Bryant
Predicted Stats: 30 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists

— Brandon’s Analysis —
The second best team in the Eastern Conference visits STAPLES tonight to take on the Los Angeles Lakers. In many people’s eyes, this isn’t Cavs vs. Lakers; it’s more like, eh…LeBron vs. Kobe, maybe? I mean, who isn’t awaiting this matchup? Kobe is stronger and more dominant than previous years, and LeBron is more experienced and playing better than 98% of the players in the league…as a second year player. This collision should be something to watch.

The Lakers are a great rebounding team…defensive boards, especially. How does that fare against the Cavs? Well, Cleveland’s front court (Big Z, Gooden, and James) are all very good rebounders. Tonight, the Lakers will be lucky if they blow out the Cavs on the glass. Mihm had a 17-board game the other night, which is honestly surprising, since he’s averaging a mediocre 7 a game (for our starting center). Odom is doing fantastic, so look for another 10+ night on the glass for him.

One thing the Lakers do not want to do is let LeBron work his magic early. What exactly do I mean? Driving and penetrating…dishing the ball out to everyone that’s in a wine-colored jersey…pretty much dominating the ball, but with consistency. Caron may be on him most of the game…but you’ll definitely see the LeBron/Kobe matchup tonight. The defender, whoever it may be, needs to force LeBron to his left and close the lane quickly, making him shoot a jumper in traffic. Do this…and then worry about his eyes and passing.

Odom and Gooden should be a good matchup, where Lamar needs to get physical and use his strength to manhandle Gooden in the post (is it possible?) and bring him out past the wing and drive to the hoop. Odom can do this…but it’s a matter of attacking hard and not backing down that Lamar seems to have trouble with. If Odom can take advantage of Varejao when he’s in the game, he may not have to attempt to pound into Drew Gooden after Varejao leaves the floor. Otherwise, it’s going to be a long night for LO.

Atkins and Tierre…where’s the D? McInnis isn’t among the elite point guards in the NBA, but he will throw dimes all night long if Atkins/Tierre are caught sleeping on the defensive end. If the Atkins Diet scores over 15 in this game, you could see Snow out to defend him on the perimeter. If Chucky’s wrist isn’t hitting shots, expect 25+ threes from the Lakers.

— Brandon’s Prediction —
This game should be fun to watch. It’s not really hyped…at least not to my knowledge…but you can expect to see replays of it in your Top 10 on SportsCenter Thursday morning. The Cavs will get help from their bench in this game…especially from Varejao and Traylor, possibly Snow, but the Lakers should win this one at home, 95-91.