The Flame and the Kitten

The Miami Heat are a fire that can't be put out and the Lakers are a hopeless kitten stuck in a tree, but the Lakers tree is a slump. An endless slump lead by the fact that the Lakers have no chemistry. On the Heat they have exactly that, chemistry. For example, the Miami Heat's big three, LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh were all drafted in the same year of 2003. Even though Bosh and Ray Allen will be out for this game I am still predicting the Heat to win, because they did it over the Clippers.

The biggest reason I think the Heat can win is, because the Lakers are sloppy with the ball this year and Dwayne Wade is one of the best defensive players in the league. I think that Wade will be all over the Laker's offense. Also, LeBron James has a career high of 56.0 percent from the field and he also has a career high of 42.0 percent from beyond the arc. But maybe Kobe Bryant can lead his team to victory, with his average of 27.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists. He would still need help from the Lakers great assister Steve Nash, who averages over 7 assists a game. The Lakers great rebounding core Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard can get the 19 total rebounds they average a game.

So yes there is a possibility that the Lakers can string together a win over the Heat, but I am still taking the unhealthy Heat. What do you think? Post your predicted winner in the comments.

Gasol Out

Star center for the Los Angeles Lakers, Pau Gasol, is out at least six weeks.  He has a partial tear in his plantar fascia in his right foot.  He tore this last night against the Nets and has been battling this injury for the past few games.  The Lakers are on a roll, winning games without Dwight Howard.  Gasol said he felt a pop when he went down last night.  The Lakers are 5-8 without Gasol.  That is 3 games below .500.  They are 18-18 with him. Without him the Lakers give up 105 points, not very impressive.  With him though, the Lakers are give up about 98.8 points to their opponents.  The Lakers rebound differential per game with Gasol is +3.6.  However, without him their differential is only +0.6.  The way the Lakers have played this season, I think they can win games without him.  This, however, loses the Lakers' big men in the paint.  Although, Earl Clark has done a great job with Howard out.

By Ameen I.

Lakers Hold On

Last night the Lakers started their annual seven game road-trip to play the Minnesota Timberwolves. They played without Dwight Howard, having a shoulder injury, and still put up a great performance. The Lakers were strong in the first quarter, outscoring the Timberwolves 37-24. This game would end up being high-scoring. Again, in the second quarter the Lakers outscored the Timberwolves 31-29. The halftime score would be 68-53 with the Lakers on top. Finally, the Timberwolves outscored the Lakers 23-17 in the third quarter. This made it a very interesting game. In the fourth quarter the Lakers outscored Minnesota 26-24, capping of a win. The final score would be 111-100. This win snapped the Lakers eight-game road losing streak. Maybe this win can carry them for the rest of their road trip. Pau Gasol led the way for the Lakers with 22 points and 12 rebounds. Kobe Bryant had 17 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists. This looks like the new Kobe Bryant, the one who passes. Finally, Steve Nash scored 17 points, had 7 assists, and 7 rebounds. Ricky Rubio had 9 points, but led the Timberwolves with 7 assists. I don't think Minnesota will be able to win without Kevin Love, who is out with a fractured hand. The only way Minnesota has a chance of having a winning season is for them to get Kevin Love back. He needs to stay healthy. The Lakers are now 21-26. The Timberwolves are 17-26. If the Lakers play like this, nothing can stop them, no matter who is injured.

By Ameen I.

Hornets vs. Lakers

Today the Los Angeles Lakers are going to host the New Orleans Hornets.  Both teams are having the complete opposite season they were expecting.  The Hornets got Anthony Davis and Austin Rivers, son of Doc Rivers.  Austin went to Duke and this is his rookie season; not what anyone was expecting. Anthony went to Kentucky and this too is his rookie season.  If these both step up their game, then this team will be much better.  Greivis Vasquez is averaging 13.8 points and 9.2 assists for the Hornets.  With Boston Celtics point-guard out, this is a great time for him to step up and earn a reputation.  Anthony Davis averages 12.8 points, 7.8 boards, and 1.8 blocks per game.  This is what makes Davis so good, his ability to score, rebound, and block.  Robin Lopez, brother of Brooklyn Nets Brook Lopez, averages 11 points and 1.7 blocks.  It seems like basketball runs in the Lopez family.  This team will need major improvements, just to have a winning season.

Meanwhile, the Lakers are having one of their worst seasons in franchise history.  Although, after having a major win against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Lakers have been pumped up.  The good thing about this team is they have experience.  Steve Nash and Kobe Bryant have played for over ten years, and Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol have been on Olympic teams.  Pau Gasol, Dwight Howard, and Steve Nash have been out with injuries this season, and that time hurt the Lakers.  Surprisingly, only Kobe Bryant, the veteran, hasn't been out with an injury.  Now, Kobe Bryant is averaging 29.2 points and 4.9 rebounds.  He has done a great job with the Lakers over the years, and being patient.  Steve Nash has 11.2 points and 8.6 assists.   With Rondo out, this is a great time for him to step up and be the best point-guard in the NBA.  Dwight Howard averages 17.1 points, 12.3 boards, and 2.5 blocks per game.  Finally, Pau Gasol is averaging 12.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.4 rejections per a game.  After suffering a concussion, head coach Mike D'antoni has kept Gasol on the bench.  I predict that the Lakers will come out on top easily, and will also beat the Phoenix Suns tomorrow.  This Lakers team is good now, and I think that they're going to make it into the playoffs.  By Ameen I

                                                                                                                                                                        

Lakers Outlast Thunder

Today the amazing Oklahoma City Thunder were paying a visit to the struggling Los Angeles Lakers.  The Thunder couldn't hang in though, and the Lakers won this game 105-96.  This game sounds like it was dominated by the Lakers, but it was close; there was never a time in this game when there was more than a ten points lead for either team.  In the first quarter, the the Lakers outscored the Thunder 27-23.  In the second quarter the Thunder had a comeback, outscoring the Lakers 30-25.  The halftime score would be 53-52 with the Thunder on top.  In the third quarter the Lakers outscored the Thunder 23-22.  From the middle of the third quarter to the end of the game, the Lakers had positive energy, giving them the win.  In the fourth quarter the Lakers outscored the Thunder 30-21, showing off their ability to go through traffic and find a big man and score.  Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 21 points, 14 rebounds, and he added 9 rebounds; one rebound shy of a triple-double.  Steve Nash and Pau Gasol had great games too, Nash and Gasol making important baskets in crucial moments.

Kevin Durant led the way for the Thunder with 35 points.  Russell Westbrook led the team in rebounding and assists, with 17 points, 13 assists, and 9 rebounds.  Westbrook was also one board shy of a triple-double.  I now think that the Lakers will have a great rest of the season, because this game was a real momentum shifter.  I think the rest of the teams in the Western Conference should be scared, now that the Lakers have this confidence.  I also think that the Thunder will bounce off of this loss and still be the best in the West.  The OKC Thunder are now 34-11.  The Los Angeles Lakers are now 19-25.  This looked like one of the Lakers best games this season.  By Ameen I.

Struggling Lakers

Tonight the Los Angeles Lakers are going to visit the Memphis Grizzles.  The Grizzles had a very thrilling game against the Indiana Pacers, although they lost.  On the other hand, the Lakers are having one of the worst seasons in franchise history.  Veteran, Kobe Bryant, averages 29.2 points per game and 4.9 rebounds.  New addition, Steve Nash, averages 11.2 points per a game and a resounding 8.6 dishes a game.  The other new addition, Dwight Howard, averages 17.1 points a game, 12.3 boards, and 2.5 blocks.  Pau Gasol went out for a few games with a concussion, and when he came back head coach Mike D'antoni kept Pau on the bench.  Pau is still listed on the bench for the game tonight.  Pau Gasol is averaging 12.7 points, snatches 8.3 boards, and 1.4 rejections.  The Memphis Grizzlies have Marc Gasol, brother of Pau Gasol.  Marc averages 13.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks a game.  Zach Randolph averages 16.2 points and snatches down 11.6 boards.  Finally, Rudy Gay averages 17.5 points per game and 5.8 rebounds.  I predict that the Grizzlies will come out on top in this game, but it will be close.  My reasoning is the Lakers are on a skid and their frustration is going to build up and they won't be able to communicate to help themselves get better.  After the All-Star Break though, I think the Lakers will have a turn around season, just like the Boston Celtics did last year.

By Ameen I.