On Sunday, the Lakers lost to the Clippers, giving the Clippers their first series sweep over the Lakers in history. Currently, the Jazz are in the eighth playoff slot after their Sunday win and hold the tiebreaker over the Lakers should the two teams finish with identical records. The Lakers are currently a half game behind the Utah Jazz with a record of 40-37; the Jazz have a record of 41-37. Essentially, the Lakers have to win all of their games, which may be hard with the Spurs and Rockets coming up. Four of the five coming games are on the Lakers’ home court, so Lakers fans, get to Staples!
Kobe Bryant has played over 42 minutes in the Lakers’ last four games. In the Lakers’ loss to the Clippers, Bryant sat out for less than a minute. D’Antoni needs to be able to work his bench more to give Kobe a break; you could see the apparent fatigue in Bryant near the end of the game last night. Pau Gasol, Steve Blake, and Dwight Howard all played 39 minutes on Sunday night too. Yet Mike D’Antoni doesn’t believe the team has a fatigue issue.
In a speedy recovery, forward Metta World Peace is listed as a game-time decision for Tuesday’s game against the New Orleans Hornets. World Peace was set to miss six to eight weeks with a torn meniscus in his left knee, especially since the Lakers veteran had surgery only a few weeks ago. MWP has no swelling around his knee, which has benefited his rehabilitation and recovery tremendously. Having Metta back is excellent news as he is an asset on defense. Dwight needs some help on the defensive end so he can also put up some more baskets.
LN Power Rankings are in, and the Lakers sit at #17. After Sunday’s game, the Jazz are places at number 12 and could ultimately take the Lakers spot in the playoffs. Rounding out your top three are Knicks, Heat and Nuggets.
Lakers Nation News
Lakers News: Metta World Peace Game-Time Decision For Tuesday
Lakers News: Mike D’Antoni Doesn’t Believe Lakers Have Fatigue Issue
Clippers Dominance Over Lakers Could Be Beginning of the End
Lakers Have No Margin For Error Down The Stretch To Make Playoffs
Metta World Peace Increasing Rehab, ‘Ahead Of Schedule’
NBA Power Rankings Week 24: Knicks Shoot To Top, Lakers In Danger
Lakers News: Kobe Bryant Willing To Play All 48 Minutes For Lakers
Lakers News
Lakers Are Stumbling Into the End of the Regular Season [Silver Screen and Roll]
Kobe Insists He Isn’t Tired, D’Antoni Doesn’t Blame Fatigue, Metta Ahead of Schedule [Silver Screen and Roll]
Final Score: Clippers Dunk Lakers, 109-95 [Silver Screen and Roll]
D’Antoni: “80, 90 Percent Chance” Metta World Peace Plays Tuesday Against the New Orleans Hornets [Silver Screen and Roll]
All Things Lakers: Explore the History of Your Favorite Team [LA Times]
Dwight Howard Has Plenty to be Frustrated Over [ESPN]
Kobe Bryant Admits He’s a Little Weary [Lakers Index]
LA Lakers Must Become Dwight Howard’s Team Entering 2013 Playoffs [Bleacher Report]
D’Antoni: Lakers Need Kobe on Floor [ESPN]
Lakers No Longer Appear Dangerous [OC Register]
Kobe Bryant Giving His All, and Mike D’Antoni Isn’t Stopping Him [LA Times]
Steve Nash Calls the Los Angeles Lakers a ‘Coach’s Nightmare’ [SLAM Magazine]
Debate: Should Mike D’Antoni Cut Back on Kobe Bryant’s Minutes? [Bleacher Report]
World Peace’s Return, Nash’s Status, and Kobe’s Minutes [Forum Blue and Gold]
Lakers: Week 24 Predictions [Lakers Now]
Five Takeaways From Lakers-Clippers [TrueHoop Blog]
D’Antoni’s Vision for Lakers Hasn’t Panned Out [OC Register]
Lakers’ Playoff Hopes Take a Hit Sunday as Jazz Wins in Golden State [LA Times]
Rapid Reaction: Clippers 109, Lakers 95 [Lakers Index]
Kobe Bryant’s MVP-caliber Season Overshadowed by Lakers’ Struggles [Yahoo Sports]
Lakers/Clippers: Times Are Changing [Forum Blue and Gold]
What Kobe Bryant Could Accomplish If He Plays Until He’s 40 [Bleacher Report]
Metta World Peace Could Play Tuesday, Much Earlier Than Expected [Lakers Now]
Kobe Bryant Optimistic in Final Stretch [Lakers Index]
Holy Cow, the Lakers Really Might Not Make the Playoffs [SB Nation]
Dwight Howard is a Man of Few Words After Lakers Lose to Clippers [LA Times]
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of the Los Angeles Lakers This Season [Bleacher Report]
NBA and NCAA News
Garnett, Pierce Return, Help Celtics Beat Wizards [Yahoo! Sports]
Conley Carries Grizzlies Past Kings, 89-87 [Yahoo! Sports]
Knicks Win 12th Straight, 125-120 Over Thunder [Yahoo! Sports]
Jazz Top Warriors 97-90, Regain 8th Spot in West [Yahoo! Sports]
Pistons End 18-Game Losing Streak to Bulls [Yahoo! Sports]
Meet Mitch McGary, Your New Favorite Basketball Player [SB Nation]
Knicks Win 12th Straight, 125-120 Over Thunder [Yahoo Sports]
Rick Adelman Becomes the Eighth Coach in NBA History to Reach 1000 Wins [Ball Don’t Lie]
Out of his mind: On momentum, and why statheads and romantics will both be proven wrong someday [SB Nation]
Clippers Play at a Championship Level in 109-95 Win Over Lakers [LA Times]
Golden State Warriors Defensive Breakdown [Golden State of Mind]
Dwyane Wade of Miami Heat Admits He Might Be Out Until NBA Playoffs [ESPN]
Mavericks at Trail Blazers [NBA.com]
Knicks Look Very Much a Contender Out-Scoring Thunder in OKC [ProBasketballTalk]
Dallas Mavericks vs. Portland Trail Blazers [SI.com]
NBA-SSR Fantasy League – Week 23 *PLAYOFFS EDITION* [Silver Screen and Roll]
Chris Paul Not Ready to Celebrate After Clippers Beat Lakers for First Pacific Title [Yahoo Sports]
NCAA Tournament 2013: Who Wins Most Outstanding Player? [SB Nation]
The 10-Man Rotation, Starring Things Continuing To Go Poorly For Brandon Knight [Ball Don’t Lie]
Derrick Rose Still Open to Returning to Chicago Bulls This Season [ESPN Chicago]
New Orleans Hornets vs. Phoenix Suns [SI.com]
Longtime NBA Scouting Director Marty Blake Dies [Yahoo! Sports]
Angry Pop: Spurs Don’t Have It Right Now [Hang Time Blog]
Spencer Haywood Told He Made Hall of Fame, Then Told Sorry, No You Didn’t [ProBasketballTalk]
NCAA Tournament Championship Game 2013: 4 Key Matchups for NBA Scouts [SB Nation]
