The number one spot in the west is at stake.
Lakers public enemy number one of recent years, get the benefit of playing against us in the second game without Bynum. Let's see if we can't get our third straight win over them anyway. Amare should have a good night, but there's no reason for the Lakers to let any other Suns player have a big night.
Defense, defense, defense!!! Execute, execute, execute. No room for slip-ups against the Suns. The Lakers need to play smart and disciplined, swing the ball around offensively, crash the defensive glass like possessed and get back in transition.
Fisher and Farmar need to attack Nash, make him play defense, try to draw some fouls on him, get him out of his rhythm. Just like Fish did last time.
I'd start Ariza and assign him to lock down Grant Hill.
Kobe must avoid gambling on defense and stay home with Bell on the perimeter, it's not like he's going to drive to the hoop anyway.
Odom has proven that he can contain Marion and need to do just that, no offensive rebounds allowed for Marion.
As for the center position, playing against Amare, I'd start Kwame. It doesn't really matter who we start because they'll end up splitting the minutes anyway and Amare will get his no matter whom we start. Kwame is much stronger than Turiaf. It's more exhausting for Amare to play Kwame. Bang him up a bit.
Barbosa? I don't know what to do with him. Avoid turning the ball over.
Discuss
— Mags
