On The Real - Lakers vs. Wolves

Los Angeles Lakers (17 - 14) @ Minnesota Timberwolves (17 - 15)

Date: Monday, January 10th
Time: 5:00 PM
TV: KCAL, NBATV

Previous Games
Rockets @ Lakers 111-104 (WIN)
Wolves @ Wizards 117-114 (LOSS)

— Projected Starting Lineups —


C - Chris Mihm (10.7 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 0.5 APG)
PF - Lamar Odom (14.6 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 2.7 APG)
SF - Caron Butler (13.3 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.2 APG)
SG - Kobe Bryant (28.5 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 6.8 APG)
PG - Chucky Atkins (11.3 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 3.9 APG)
Coach - Rudy Tomjanovich

C - Michael Olowokandi (4.9 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 0.4 APG)
PF - Kevin Garnett (23.8 PPG, 15.0 RPG, 6.3 APG)
SF - Wally Szczerbiak (15.5 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.1 APG)
SG - Latrell Sprewell (11.8 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 1.9 APG)
PG - Sam Cassell (15.6 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 5.9 APG)
Coach - Flip Saunders
*Sam Cassell is questionable for tonight’s game

— Who Dat? —

Jumaine Jones
Predicted Stats: 8 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist

Eddie Griffin
Predicted Stats: 12 points, 5 rebounds, 0 assists

— Who Got Game? —

Kobe Bryant
Predicted Stats: 34 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists

Kevin Garnett
Predicted Stats: 24 points, 16 rebounds, 5 assists

— Brandon’s Analysis —
Although this game may seem to be an easy win for the Wolves just by looking at team statistics (where the Wolves lead the Lakers in field goal percentage and assists, among others), the Lakers do have one advantage over Minnesota: rebounding. This comes as a surprise, however, since the Wolves have the leading rebounder locked up in Minny (that being Garnett). Also, Minnesota’s gameplay as of late has been all but fantastic…losing seven of their last nine and dropping to 7th place in the West.

The Lakers will test its triangle offense for the second time this season, after practicing with it Sunday. The first time? The Lakers were successful against the Rockets, stabbing into Houston for a 24-point lead before halftime and eventually hanging on for the win. The Minnesota defense will surely be tested against the triangle…where Minnesota has held teams to 44% shooting all season, although Los Angeles (said to have a terrible defense) has held theirs to 43%. What is going on in Minny and LA?

The last time these teams met, it was the Western Conference Finals. Kevin Garnett was the MVP and the Wolves were on top of the West. Kobe and the Lakers were climbing the mountain with them, and eventually knocked them off to advance to the Finals. Today, it’s a different story, where it seems as if both Kobe and Garnett are looking around, wondering what teammate, if any, will step up and earn his paycheck. Possibly Odom and Wally? It seems to be…so watch for these two tonight, where Odom should pull down double-digits off the glass, while Szcrzcrabiojrajl-biak may be breaking down the LA interior defense all night long.

Two guys off the bench that may catch fire early will be Griffin and Jones. These two will benefit most from the bench, especially Eddie Griffin, who may be brought in to torch the Lakers with threes and long jumpers. Both Jumaine and Eddie will help out on the glass, and could very well be nice to have on the court for defensive purposes as well. Look for both Griffin and Jones to ignite their teams from the bench in tonight’s matchup.

— Brandon’s Prediction —
The Wolves may have more problems than the Lakers, but I have a feeling it’s not so much on the court as it is in the locker room. Something just isn’t right with this team, the same team (with the addition of Griffin) that dominated the West last season. The Lakers are experimenting with the triangle, and it could prove to be beneficial to their offense tonight…where they should take this game on the road and continue climbing the ladder in the West, 97-92.

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