The Lakers hit the hardwood, after exacting a little revenge by beating the Boston Celtics in their highly anticipated Christmas day match-up, to battle the Golden State Warriors. The Lakers can’t have a let down or allow their intensity level to decrease because they’re facing a team that just acquired their ninth win.
In the Warriors win, they beat those same Celtics by ten points on Friday December 26th. The Celtics could’ve been spent, could’ve simply ran out of gas after going 19-1 traveling cross country but at the end of the day Boston took a loss and had to drag another ‘L’ off of the court.
The interesting thing about that game and how it pertains to the game against the Lakers is that the Warriors were down 12 points at the half, but came back to outscore the Celtics 60 – 38 in the second half.
Longtime friend and true Warrior Ronny Turiaf finished with 14 points and 8 rebounds.
Most importantly scoring 35 points in the fourth quarter and holding the Celtics to 17.
Another eye opener was that the Warriors were outshot in front of and behind the arc (FG 47.1% to 45.8% ) & (3pt FG 50% to 37%), had less fast break points, less points in the paint (38-24), and less rebounds then their opponent.
They were the beneficiaries of the return of Stephen Jackson and his 28 points with 15 in the fourth quarter, winning the turnover battle (23 to 21) and 31 fouls which allowed the Warriors to attempt 27 free throws of which the team made 23.
It gives me great pleasure to say that there is no love in California for the Celtics.
The game against the Warriors, one of two contests in 11 days against their Pacific Division rivals. Both teams are among the league leaders in scoring averaging 105 points or better but the difference is the Lakers are playing better defensively.
The Lakers can’t relax the same focus and intensity shown against the Celtics on Christmas Day, they need to be a constant for every game. The Lakers have an advantage with their long front line and will win by controlling the glass, stop dribble penetration and rotate out to three point shooters.
The team will be well rested and prepared to put forth a solid team effort… Hopefully.
Tipoff: 6:30 PM PST
Television -
- Los Angeles: Fox Sports West 1 HD (Joel Myers & Stu Lantz)
- Golden State: Comcast Sports Net Bay Area HD (Bob Fitzgerald & Jim Barnett)
Radio -
- Los Angeles: AM570 KLAC (Spero Dedes & Mychal Thompson)
- Golden State: KNBR Sports 680 or KNBR 1050AM (Tim Roye)
Injuries -
Lakers:
- Jordan Farmar (Knee)
Warriors:
- Corey Maggette (Hamstring)
- Monta Ellis (Ankle)
- Jamal Crawford (Groin)
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