

Game Information
When: Wednesday, December 10th 2008
Time: 7:30 PM Pacific (9:30 CT)
Venue: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
TV: ESPN, FSN West
Radio: AM 570 KLAC
Phoenix Suns Starting Lineup

PG: Steve Nash
15.2 Points Per Game
8.2 Assists Per Game
2.9 Rebounds Per Game

SG: Raja Bell
9.4 Points Per Game
1.4 Assists Per Game
2.7 Rebounds Per Game

SF: Grant Hill
8.2 Points Per Game
4.3 Rebounds Per Game
1.8 Assists Per Game

PF: Boris Diaw
8.5 Points Per Game
3.8 Rebounds Per Game
2.1 Assists Per Game

C: Amare Stoudemire
22.4 Points Per Game
8.3 Rebounds Per Game
1.8 Assists Per Game
Key Bench Players

SF: Matt Barnes
12.1 Points Per Game
5.9 Rebounds Per Game
2.4 Assists Per Game

PG: Leandro Barbosa
11.7 Points Per Game
1.4 Assists Per Game
2.3 Rebounds Per Game
Los Angeles Lakers Starting Lineup

PG: Derek Fisher
10.3 Points Per Game
3.0 Assists Per Game
1.2 Steals Per Game

SG: Kobe Bryant
24.7 Points Per Game
4.4 Assists Per Game
5.3 Rebounds Per Game
1.6 Steals Per Game

SF: Vladimir Radmanovic
7.8 Points Per Game
3.4 Rebounds Per Game
1.1 Assists Per Game

PF: Pau Gasol
17.1 Points Per Game
9.3 Rebounds Per Game
3.5 Assists Per Game

C: Andrew Bynum
13.4 Points Per Game
9.0 Rebounds Per Game
2.1 Blocks Per Game
Lakers "Bench Mob"

PF: Lamar Odom
8.6 Points Per Game
5.7 Rebounds Per Game
2.1 Assists Per Game

SF: Trevor Ariza
9.6 Points Per Game
5.2 Rebounds Per Game
1.9 Steals Per Game
Key Matchup of the Game


Kobe Bryant vs Raja Bell
There's always going to be the history of bad blood between these two. Raja Bell called him "arrogant," Kobe responded with, "I have bigger fish to fry." That escalated into numerous elbows and the infamous clothesline in the playoffs. Things have definitely cooled down since that playoff series, but one thing is different. The Lakers get the W's over the Suns now. Kobe always seems to want to have a big game whenever he plays Bell, and I'm assuming (especially coming off a 9-25 night against the Kings) that he'll want the same. Kobe didn't shoot the greatest in the Lakers last meeting, but he made timely baskets to stop Phoenix from getting on extended runs. Kobe's going to have to do that again, and he's going to have to lock down and play his "free safety" role well to get out and contest Phoenix's shooters.
Keys To A Lakers Win
- Can We Play Some MF'in DEFENSE!?!?!: PLEASE, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, Can we play some defense? The Lakers are capable of being an excellent defensive team when they play as a unit, and hustle. Lately they've been gambling WAY TOO MUCH, and it's cost them. It's been leading to a lot of scrambling and breakdowns. Play your man straight up, go back to the double teaming that we saw earlier in the season with the zone. Good ball pressure will result in turnovers and steals.. they do not need to gamble. Especially against Phoenix, defense is key. They have tried to slow the game down, but with Shaq out, they're going to get back to that run and gun style. Transition defense is going to be key.
- Pound The Ball Inside: Pau Gasol vs Boris Diaw is a matchup I like when Pau's on the block. Andrew on Stoudemire is a matchup I like when Andrew's down low. With Shaquille O'Neal out, they have to go inside. Amare is not a good defender when he has to guard players physically bigger and stronger than him. He gets most of his defensive plays off help. Andrew dropped 28 and 12 on him last Christmas, we're going to need that type of game from Bynum again. Diaw is just too small to handle Pau. While Boris is a good position defender, Pau will be able to shoot it over the top of him, and we have to exploit the front court matchup.
- Slow The Game Down, Attack The Basket: Phoenix is going to try to push the ball more with Shaq out and take advantage of the Lakers poor transition defense. The Lakers have to slow the game down, and execute the offense. Quick pull up jumpers (Ahem, Fish) is going to play into what Phoenix wants the opposition to do. Everyone needs to attack the basket, no matter if your name is Kobe Bryant or Sun Yue.
GO LAKERS!!!!