GT: 01/01 - LAL vs PHI - 7:30pm PST - TWC Sportsnet

miggs · Post #1 » by **miggs** » Thu Dec 31, 2015 6:40 pm

After an impressive hard fought win in Boston, our Lakers now head back home from their road trip for some home cookin in a rematch against the Sixers. The Sixers recently acquired Ish Smith from the Pelicans for two 2nd Round Picks and it has already been paying dividends for them. They are 2-1 in the Ish Smith era and look to continue to newfound winning ways against us and try to close out the season series 2-0 meanwhile our Lakers look to avenge the embarrassing loss they suffered to the lowly Sixers and gave them their first victory of the season. Let's see what happens in the first game of 2016 for us!

Lakers (6-27) vs Sixers (3-31)

Friday, January 01, 2016 @ 7:30PM PST

TWC SportsNet - 710AM ESPN - 1330AM Espanol

Staples Center, LA, Ca

not sure if we'll see this same line-up, Byron has said he may leave it a few more games so we'll see. I'll definitely update it if I or anyone else here can verify the line-up prior to tip off. Usually I get this off Twitter so I should be able to update it in time for tip off if there are changes from Coach Scott

Keys to the Game

1 - As D-Lo says, get that first punch in. Don't let them get back up, that was our mistake the last time
2 - Lakers Backcourt outplays the Sixers backcourt on both ends
3 - High Team Assists to FG
4 - Limit turnovers, make this Philly team play defense and have to work on the offensive end
5 - Control the Glass

minor Game Notes:

- Jahlil Okafor came off the bench in the Sixers last game, a win against the Kings
- Also in the Kings game, the Sixers ran with 2 point guards in their line-up, I expect the same against us.
- TJ McConnell's mins have really decreased despite Canaan now starting at SG and likely will continue that way
- These aren't the same must tank Sixers we saw the last time we played them. This is an Adam Silver special

- Will Russell and Randle now be starting?
- Will we carry over the energy from that Boston win or come out sluggish and never catch back up?

Eye Candy?

Spoiler:

moonpie · Post #2 » by **moonpie** » Thu Dec 31, 2015 7:02 pm

Probably a W. In fact, I can see us rattling off 3 in a row with Phoenix losing Bledsoe and practically imploding atm.

Post #3 » by **Goudelock** » Thu Dec 31, 2015 7:30 pm

moonpie wrote:Probably a W. In fact, I can see us rattling off 3 in a row with Phoenix losing Bledsoe and practically imploding atm.

You're much more optimistic than I am. BS is going to find a way to lose at least one of those games.

Ish Smith's MVP campaign is going to pick up steam after tonight's game, btw. Clarkson and Russell are going to be torched.

FrozenIceCubes · Post #4 » by **FrozenIceCubes** » Thu Dec 31, 2015 7:53 pm

The new year hopefully brings a lot of wins for the Lakers... The Lakers need to aim for wins they have a HEAVY home schedule and need to capitalize with the 6-8 WC seeds wide open.

Post #5 » by **HartfordWhalers** » Thu Dec 31, 2015 8:10 pm

Good luck!

ROballer · Post #6 » by **ROballer** » Thu Dec 31, 2015 8:45 pm

FrozenIceCubes wrote:The new year hopefully brings a lot of wins for the Lakers... The Lakers need to aim for wins they have a HEAVY home schedule and need to capitalize with the 6-8 WC seeds wide open.

Thanks for reminding me why I don't post on any other topics, except the Fantasy League, anymore

FrozenIceCubes · Post #7 » by **FrozenIceCubes** » Thu Dec 31, 2015 9:02 pm

ROballer wrote:
FrozenIceCubes wrote:The new year hopefully brings a lot of wins for the Lakers... The Lakers need to aim for wins they have a HEAVY home schedule and need to capitalize with the 6-8 WC seeds wide open.

Thanks for reminding me why I don't post on any other topics, except the Fantasy League, anymore

Because as a fan I want the team to do well and make there mark?

i hope that doesn't irritate you.. for your own sake.

ROballer · Post #8 » by **ROballer** » Thu Dec 31, 2015 9:06 pm

There's a fine line between cheering up for your team, and being straight up delusional ...you crossed that line with that post

gotokyo · Post #9 » by **gotokyo** » Thu Dec 31, 2015 9:08 pm

I'm mad I picked up Ish in my fantasy league after his hot streak in NO then gets benched, So I drop him and now he's killing it in Philly and someone else grabbed him

FrozenIceCubes · Post #10 » by **FrozenIceCubes** » Thu Dec 31, 2015 9:43 pm

ROballer wrote:There's a fine line between cheering up for your team, and being straight up delusional ...you crossed that line with that post

I understand your post bud.

But I wasn't being delusional.

My line of thinking was the young guys making a big improvement and the team making strides which is what the goal should be for the new year... My post was completely accurate and any fan would have the same thinking.

ROballer · Post #11 » by **ROballer** » Thu Dec 31, 2015 10:47 pm

Any fan wouldn't be talking about the playoffs and scenarios to get us there..it's just you bud

We have a better shot of landing Simmons than to get to the playoffs...and that says a lot

Post #12 » by **Goudelock** » Thu Dec 31, 2015 11:01 pm

ROballer wrote:Any fan wouldn't be talking about the playoffs and scenarios to get us there..it's just you bud

We have a better shot of landing Simmons than to get to the playoffs...and that says a lot

Mr Cubes was comparing Julius Randle to LeBron James before the season. He's the most optimistic fan of all time.

Post #13 » by **crazyeights** » Thu Dec 31, 2015 11:08 pm

A lot of players on bubble teams just got injured and are out for the season. The tank race is just about to heat up. I'd like to see us get a nice loss tonight, but I really don't see it happening.

IBWT (In Byron We Trust)

AmusingFiddle · Post #14 » by **AmusingFiddle** » Thu Dec 31, 2015 11:39 pm

Philly is playing much better since bringing back Ish Smith. I hope the Lakers are looking to get revenge. Something tells me this game won't be an easy one.

Aaramirez16 · Post #15 » by **Aaramirez16** » Thu Dec 31, 2015 11:46 pm

I really hope Byron is done with this lineup. It's time to give the kids minutes. He proved his point on making them earn it and the last game they basically won the game for us. Kobe looks like he will barely make it to the all star game with him grabbing and shaking his shoulder all the time. I will be really pissed if the rooks aren't given 30+ mins from now on

Crooked-I · Post #16 » by **Crooked-I** » Fri Jan 1, 2016 12:21 am

First game after a road trip is always a downer. Add the fact that it's right after new years eve I think we lose by 10

LApwnd · Post #17 » by **LApwnd** » Fri Jan 1, 2016 12:45 am

HartfordWhalers wrote:Good luck!

That epic tank battle....guess you're not looking forward to a sixer win this time?

FrozenIceCubes · Post #18 » by **FrozenIceCubes** » Fri Jan 1, 2016 2:07 am

I'm not being a homer when I talk about the team making improvements.. It's what every team tries to do every year...

Post #19 » by **crazyeights** » Fri Jan 1, 2016 2:13 am

FrozenIceCubes wrote:I'm not being a homer when I talk about the team making improvements.. It's what every team tries to do every year...

We have 5 wins.

(And last year there were a half-dozen teams actively tanking, so I guess by "improve" you mean in the long run.)

Post #20 » by **dockingsched** » Fri Jan 1, 2016 2:21 am

I believe in Ish Smith