The Los Angeles Lakers will attempt to begin another win streak on Tuesday by following up the huge win over the Dallas Mavericks with a victory over the visiting Indiana Pacers.
Unfortunately, the Lakers might have to face the Pacers without Kobe Bryant. According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin via Twitter:
Kobe Bryant was not at shootaround Tuesday because of flu-like symptoms. He will be a game-time decision against the Pacers.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) November 27, 2012
Kobe currently leads the league in scoring with 26.9 points per game. Kobe has been doing a lot more on the floor as of late by taking on more of a combo guard role in the Lakers’ backcourt to help fill Steve Nash’s void.
Along with leading the league in scoring thus far, Kobe also leads the team in assists with 5.1 per game. The five-time NBA champion will be sorely missed if he’s ultimately unable to go once tip-off rolls around.
Steve Nash and Steve Blake have already been ruled out for this game on Tuesday night.
If Kobe sits out, which is doubtful at best, head coach Mike D’Antoni will likely have backup shooting guard Jodie Meeks start in Kobe’s place.
Although Meeks got off to a rocky start with the Lakers, the former Kentucky standout has started to get into a groove as of late and is coming off one of his best games as a Laker thus far with 11 points, five rebounds and three assists in the win over the Mavs. Meeks is also starting to find his stroke from beyond the arc, shooting 42.9 percent from beyond the arc.