It’s February 14, 2012 – Valentine’s Day – and the (16-12) Los Angeles Lakers are hosting the (18-10) Atlanta Hawks. The Lakers return home after an average Grammy road trip, salvaging a split. The extended road trip left the Lakers with far more questions than answers.
The most disappointing event was watching the Lakers surrender an 18-point first-half lead against the Raptors, being forced to make a comeback to walk away with a much-needed win. Their bench was outscored 47-24 in Toronto – they’ve been consistently outscored by their opponents.
The Lakers, beaten in the second half of three of their six games, were a Pau Gasol block and a Kobe Bryant game-winning shot away from 1-5 record on their Grammy road trip. L.A. is a different team away as opposed to at home and the difference is their defense. Defensively, the purple and gold is allowing 85.2 points at Staples center but that number increases to 95.8 on the road.
The Hawks have been one of the surprises of the league so far this season, posting 18-wins. However, the Lakers are 11-2 at home. Atlanta has feasted on sub-.500 teams this season with 13 wins but they have dropped four of their last six games. This team has the NBA’s best road defense, surrendering only 89.3 points on 42% shooting from the field.
The Lakers are 7-3 in their last 10 games overall against the Hawks. At the Staples Center, L.A. is 9-3 all-time. The Hawks have lost five straight road games to Los Angeles on the Lakers’ home court by an average of 17 points. Tonight is the first of a five-game road trip for Atlanta and there is a chance that former Laker Jannero Pargo will either start or play extended minutes.
The Lakers have got to play better defense. It is evident that a quick and crafty point guard can have success against the purple and gold. They need solid play against the pick-and-roll play, must stop the dribble penetration of the guards, control the tempo, defend, get back in transition, control the boards and quickly rotate out to open shooters.
The Lakers’ big three – Kobe Bryant, Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol – continue to lead the team in scoring and are instrumental in the outcome of the game, but their purple and gold teammates need to step up and contribute on a consistent basis.
Starters
Lakers: D. Fisher, K. Bryant, M. Peace, P.Gasol, A. Bynum
Hawks: J. Teague, J. Johnson, M. Williams, J. Smith, Z. Pachulia
Tip-off: 7:30 PM PST
Television –
- Los Angeles: FS West (Bill Macdonald & Stu Lantz)
- Atlanta: FS South (Bob Rathbun & Dominique Wilkins)
Radio –
- Los Angeles: 710 ESPN (John Ireland & Mychal Thompson)
- Atlanta: 790 AM (Steve Holman)
Injuries –
Lakers:
- Josh McRoberts (Sprained Left Big Toe) Probable
- Kobe Bryant (Torn Lunotriquetral Ligament, Right Wrist) Probable
- Steve Blake (Costochaondral fracture) Probable
Hawks:
- Al Horford (Shoulder) Out
- Jason Collins (Elbow) Out
- Jeff Teague (Sprained Ankle) Questionable