gpikePreview of LA Lakers and Portland
February 22nd 2011 02:42
Wednesday night brings the starting of the second-half of the season for Portland while Los Angeles hosts Atlanta on Tuesday. Portland starts back up on a six-game winning streak. If the Lakers lose to the Hawks, they will arrive in Portland on a four-game slide.
Portland is winning without Marcus Camby and Brandon Roy, a testament for how good they play together. Everyone has stepped up for the team, though one guy is getting the majority of the accolades. LaMarcus Aldridge has greatly increased his scoring output, and has become the leader Portland needs. Other guys like Andre Miller, Dante Cunningham, and Rudy Fernandez are playing great basketball.
The Blazers don't score too much points, only 96 per game, but a great team defense has emerged. The team gives up just 95 points, with shot-blockers like Nicolas Batum, Aldridge and Camby being key. Portland during their current winning streak is going against the grain, going for over 100 points in all but five of the victories.
Los Angeles coming off hosting the All-Star festivities are back on a high. Their three losses before Tuesday's outcome included, Cleveland and Charlotte are forgotten. Atlanta at 34-21 will be a test for the Lakers, and facing Portland the next night is no cakewalk. Los Angeles is averaging 102 points per game and giving up 96. Kobe Bryant is coming off a 37-point output in the All-Star game. He is averaging 25 points per game, tops for the Lakers. Center Pau Gasol leads the team with ten boards per game.
This game comes down to what Portland team arrives. Aldridge has been on a tear, and the wing shooters are feeding off him. Bryant will score lots of points. He always does versus the Blazers. Roy and Camby are expected to be back this week, maybe for the Lakers. Getting either of them back will be huge. Portland riding the winning streak and the home fans win a hard-fought game here.
Portland is winning without Marcus Camby and Brandon Roy, a testament for how good they play together. Everyone has stepped up for the team, though one guy is getting the majority of the accolades. LaMarcus Aldridge has greatly increased his scoring output, and has become the leader Portland needs. Other guys like Andre Miller, Dante Cunningham, and Rudy Fernandez are playing great basketball.
The Blazers don't score too much points, only 96 per game, but a great team defense has emerged. The team gives up just 95 points, with shot-blockers like Nicolas Batum, Aldridge and Camby being key. Portland during their current winning streak is going against the grain, going for over 100 points in all but five of the victories.
Los Angeles coming off hosting the All-Star festivities are back on a high. Their three losses before Tuesday's outcome included, Cleveland and Charlotte are forgotten. Atlanta at 34-21 will be a test for the Lakers, and facing Portland the next night is no cakewalk. Los Angeles is averaging 102 points per game and giving up 96. Kobe Bryant is coming off a 37-point output in the All-Star game. He is averaging 25 points per game, tops for the Lakers. Center Pau Gasol leads the team with ten boards per game.
This game comes down to what Portland team arrives. Aldridge has been on a tear, and the wing shooters are feeding off him. Bryant will score lots of points. He always does versus the Blazers. Roy and Camby are expected to be back this week, maybe for the Lakers. Getting either of them back will be huge. Portland riding the winning streak and the home fans win a hard-fought game here.
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