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It’s April 3, 2012 and the (33-20) Los Angeles Lakers face the (19-35) New Jersey Nets in a trap game at the Staples Center. The good news is that the Lakers beat the Golden State Warriors (120-112) for the second time in five days by producing a season-high 120 points.
L.A. shooting guard Kobe Bryant bounced back and dropped 40 points, part of a combined 89 points that he, power forward Pau Gasol and point guard Ramon Sessions scored of the Lakers’ 120 total. Los Angeles received a contribution from their bench and every reserve that received playing time scored at least one basket.
The bad news is that center Andrew Bynum, tracking a rebound, came down on teammate Josh McRobert’s foot and sprained his left ankle. The Lakers allowed 100+ points for the fifth time in their last 10 games. They had 15 turnovers, allowed 42 points in the paint and the reserves were outscored 41-22 by the Warriors’ reserves.
The soon-to-be Brooklyn Nets, decimated by injuries and not in the playoff picture, are riding a three-game winning streak. The Lakers swept last season’s series (2-0) for the third consecutive year and have won seven straight games overall against them by an average of 15 points. L.A. is 9-1 in their last 10 games against New Jersey. The Lakers are 8-4 all-time against the Nets at the Staples Center. In 23 games (including 19 starts) against the opponent, Bryant is averaging 22.4 points per game, his second lowest average against any team in the league (his lowest average is 22.1 against the Atlanta Hawks).
The Lakers’ defense has appeared to be on a hiatus over their last ten games and correcting this deficiency has to become a priority with the playoffs quickly approaching. For them to achieve their eighth straight win over New Jersey, it is imperative that they contain Nets’ point guard Deron Williams, small forward Gerald Wallace and shooting guard Anthony Morrow. L.A. will have to do so without the services of Bynum, who is out with that sprained ankle.
Williams is averaging 21.9 points and 11.9 assists per game. Wallace has been a problem for the Lakers with his activity, averaging 21 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and four steals in his last two games. Nets’ Power forward Kris Humphries is averaging 13.4 points and 11 rebounds. Morrow is averaging 12.6 points, but shot 6-for-11 from behind the arc and scored 24 points off the bench Saturday night in the Nets’ win over the Sacramento Kings.
The Lakers need to avoid being caught looking ahead to Wednesday’s battle of Los Angeles against the Clippers and focus on beating the Nets tonight. They have to communicate on defense, do a solid job defending the pick-and-roll play, stop Deron Williams’ dribble penetration, get back in transition, out-rebound the Nets and quickly rotate out to open shooters. L.A. must limit the Nets to one shot per possession.
Los Angeles has to continue to improve their ball movement and player movement to find the high percentage shot. They need to continue to start their offense inside by establishing Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant in the post. Gasol has to catch the ball close to the basket, attack it and be extremely aggressive.
The Lakers need to play a 48-miute game with a contribution from everyone in a purple and gold jersey. They need to start working guards Andrew Goudelock and Darrius Morris; and forward Devin Ebanks, into the rotation. Their contribution is needed.
Starters
Lakers: R. Sessions, K. Bryant, M. Peace, T. Murphy, P. Gasol
Nets: D. Williams, M. Brooks, G. Wallace, K. Humphries, J. Petro
Tip-off: 7:30 PM PST
Television –
- Los Angeles: FS West (Bill Macdonald & Stu Lantz)
- New Jersey: YESN (Ian Eagle & Jim Spanarkel)
Radio –
- Los Angeles: 710 ESPN (John Ireland & Mychal Thompson)
- New Jersey: WFAN 660 (Chris Carrino & Tim Capstraw)
Injuries –
Lakers:
- Andrew Bynum (Sprained Left Ankle) Out
- Jordan Hill (Sprained MCL, Right Knee) Questionable
Nets:
- Sheldon Williams (Eye) Day-to-Day
- Jordan Farmar (Groin) Day-to-Day
- Brook Lopez (Sprained Right Ankle) Out
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