TLN’s Game Preview: Lakers vs. Wizards

The 33-8 Lakers are back at home to host the 9-32 Washington Wizards. The Lakers are coming off of a 108-97 win over the Clippers; the Wizards are coming off of a rare 110-107 road win against the Kings.

The basketball world got a glimpse of the future watching Andrew Bynum have the best game of his career; he shot 17-of-24 from the field for a season-high 42 points, grabbed 15 rebounds and blocked 3 shots. He became the 1st Laker to reach 40 points other than Kobe since Shaquille O’Neal dropped 48 on Boston in March 2003.

Andrew is still developing both offensively and defensively, under the tutelage of the Lakers coaching staff and the captain Kareem Abdul-Jabbar but this performance showed what he is capable of doing.

Andrew’s game was huge; it was so big that it almost overshadowed another triple double by Kobe Bryant. It was Kobe’s second triple-double in the last three games. According to Stats Inc.; Kobe has handed out 45 assists in his last four games, the most of his career over during any four-game stretch.

When you look at tonight’s game the first thought is that the Lakers should win this game by twenty points or better which could happen, but just as in last night’s game despite the team’s record, these are still professionals they’re playing against that don’t want to be embarrassed and will get up for the Lakers.

Kobe and the Lakers have a good idea of how teams are going to play them and as team’s continue to double-team Kobe his assist total will continue to increase as he gets everyone involved with good looks, making this team more dangerous.

As the Lakers seek win number 34 tonight, the team needs to remember the last game on 12/5/08. When the team nearly blew a 20-point lead, allowed the Wizards to make a game of it and gave up 32 fourth quarter points and had to hold on for a two point win.

The Lakers need to throw the ball into the low post and allow Andrew Bynum & Pau Gasol to go to work. The team has an advantage with their long front line and will win by controlling the tempo, glass, stopping dribble penetration and rotating out to three point shooters.

Tipoff: 7:30 PM PST

Television -

  • Los Angeles: Fox Sports West 1 HD (Joel Myers & Stu Lantz)
  • Washington: TNT, Comcast Sportsnet HD (Steve Buckhantz & Phil Chenier)

Radio -

  • Los Angeles: AM570 KLAC (Spero Dedes & Mychal Thompson)
  • Washington: ESPN WTEM 980 AM (Dave Johnson & Glenn Consor)

Injuries -

Lakers:

  • Jordan Farmar (Knee)
  • Luke Walton (Foot)

Wizards:

  • Etan Thomas (Knee)
  • Gilbert Arenas (Knee)
  • Deshawn Stephenson (Back)
  • Brendon Haywood (Wrist)

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