It is March 27, 2012 and the (30-19) Los Angeles Lakers have traveled to Oakland, CA for a run against (20-27) Golden State Warriors. On Sunday, the Lakers had a subpar effort against the Memphis Grizzlies, never matching the intensity of their opponent, which resulted in a 102-96 loss, their second home loss in seven days.
The Grizzlies had seven players score in double-digits and out-rebounded the Lakers 42-38. Memphis won the points in the paint battle 52-36 and their reserves emphatically out-scored the Lakers reserves 41-9. Tonight’s meeting is the first of two in the next six days.
The Lakers lead the season series with the Warriors (1-0, winning 97-90 on January 6, 2012) and they won last year’s series 3-1. The purple and gold have swept four of the last six season’s series with the Warriors and have not lost a season series to them since a 2-3 loss in the 1994-1995 season. As well, the Lakers are 27-4 in the last 31 games against Golden State and had their 12-game winning streak against the Warriors snapped in an 87-95 defeat on April 6, 2011.
L.A. has gone 8-2 against Golden State in their last 10 games at the Oracle Arena. In 56 games (including 47 starts) against the Warriors, Lakers’ shooting guard Kobe Bryant is averaging 27.1 points per game, his third highest average among all teams behind the Charlotte Bobcats, the Toronto Raptors and the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Warriors are 4-6 in their last 10 games. Golden State has an 11-13 record on their home wood at Oracle Arena, are 7-4 in the Pacific Division and are 13-17 against the Western Conference. They are a team who’s roster appears to be stuck in a state of ceaseless change… the Warriors are out of the NBA playoff picture.
Since their last meeting, the Warriors have traded away guard Monta Ellis and have been starting rookie Klay Thompson (the son of former player and current Lakers radio color analyst Mychal Thompson, who played his prep basketball locally at Santa Margarita HS in Orange County). The young guard has responded well, scoring in double-digits in the last six games, including a 31-point outburst on March 24, 2012 against the Sacramento Kings.
Golden State is 3-6 since the trade of star guard Monta Ellis. Power forward David Lee is posting solid numbers for them but they do not have the personnel to deal with the Lakers’ frontline. Tonight’s game provides the Lakers an opportunity to fix what ails them. L.A. needs to establish center Andrew Bynum and power forward Pau Gasol in the painted area and allow them to go to work. Gasol’s jump shot has been off in the last two games… it is time for him to catch the ball closer to the basket.
L.A. point guard Ramon Sessions and Bryant have an opportunity to improve their continuity tonight. The Lakers’ effort, intensity and execution on defense has to improve. They have to play with a high energy level and a sense of urgency, and must match the intensity of their opponent. It is imperative that L.A.’s ball movement and player movement greatly improve. To be successful, the Lakers have to make precise passes to limit their turnovers, defend, control the boards, win the points in the paint battle and receive a huge impact from their bench.
Starters
Lakers: R. Sessions, K. Bryant, M. Peace, P. Gasol, A. Bynum
Warriors: C. Jenkins, K. Thompson, D. Wright, D. Lee, J. Tyler
Tip-off: 7:30 PM PST
Television –
- Los Angeles: KCAL 9 (Bill Macdonald & Stu Lantz)
- Golden State: CSN Bay (Jim Barnett & Bob Fitzgerald)
Radio –
- Los Angeles: 710 ESPN (John Ireland & Mychal Thompson)
- Golden State: KNBR 680 (Tim Roye & Jim Barnett)
Injuries –
Lakers:
- Jordan Hill (Sprained MCL, Right Knee) Questionable
Warriors:
- Stephen Curry (Ankle Sprain) Out
- Andris Biedrins (Groin) Day-to-Day
- Nate Robinson (Hamstring) Day-to-Day
- Andrew Bogut (Ankle) Out