The Lakers stagger into the Bradley Center in downtown Milwaukee to face the Bucks. The team is on a two-game losing streak that has only happened three times this season but needs to end tonight. I’m not sure what it is about the Bobcats, this team simply matches up well with the Lakers.
The best thing about tonight’s game is that after it this extra long road trip will end and the Lakers will be headed back to the west coast. The Charlotte game was a bit sluggish until things heated up in the fourth quarter.
As we all know NBA Basketball is a game of runs, Charlotte had more of them, and the Bobcats ended the third quarter on a 15-4 run to take a four point lead that was later increased to 10 points. The Lakers starters put together an 8-0 run and played suffocating defense as well.
The Bobcats then put on an 11-0 run coupled with stifling defense, the Lakers offense remained stagnant and the combination earned Charlotte a season sweep. In typical road game fashion, the Bobcats were aided by a 22-6 free throw advantage.
The Lakers shot 29 more shots than their opponent but were held to 39% shooting and under 100 points for the second game in a row since November. The reserves have this writer experiencing déjà vu as they were out scored again, 23-11. The second unit needs to knock down shots.
This team needs to get back in rhythm and build momentum so that they’re playing their best basketball for the post-season. In the meantime the Lakers need to finish off this road trip strong they’ve lost their last two games in Milwaukee.
March was brutal month for the Bucks they’ve won one of their last five games and only five of the last 19. The Lakers have an excellent opportunity to take out their frustrations of not playing well on this team.
Prior to tip-off USA Basketball’s Men’s National Team Director Sean Ford will be on hand to present Michael Redd his Olympic Ring for helping the team win the Gold Medal.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, defensively is where every game will be won or lost. The Lakers need to control the glass, stop the dribble penetration and rotate out to three point shooters. The Lakers will see a zone defense and need to attack it.
Slow down Richard Jefferson, Charlie Villanueva, Ramon Sessions and the reserves who scored 38 points in their win over the Nets. The Lakers need to establish Pau in the post and let him set the table for everyone else.
Tipoff: 5:00 PM PST
Television -
- Los Angeles: KCAL TV Channel 9 (Joel Myers & Stu Lanz)
- Milwaukee: FSN Wisconsin (Jim Paschke & Jon McGlocklin)
Radio -
- Los Angeles: AM570 KLAC (Spero Dedes & Mychal Thompson)
- Milwaukee: WTMJ 620 AM(Ted Davis & Dennis Krause)
Injuries -
Lakers:
- Andrew Bynum (Knee)
Bucks:
- Andrew Bogut (Back)
- Michael Redd (Knee)
- Keith Bogans (Ankle)
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