Pau Gasol will make his return to the lineup tonight when the Lakers take on the Miami Heat at the Staples Center. However, we won’t see Gasol in the starting lineup as we’re accustomed to, according to Beto Duran of ESPN Los Angeles.
Pau will play but NOT start says D’Antoni
— Beto Duran (@DuranSports) January 17, 2013
It will be nice having Gasol back on the floor, but with D’Antoni choosing to bring him off the bench some questions have arisen. What is the reason for Pau being used as a reserve rather than a starter? Once again, Duran has the quote from D’Antoni.
Pau coming off bench has more to do with conditioning, D’Antoni said
— Beto Duran (@DuranSports) January 17, 2013
Don’t expect this to be a permanent shift, though, as D’Antoni expects Gasol to be back in the starting lineup on Sunday.
D’Antoni adds Pau probably go back to normal starting spot Sunday.
— Beto Duran (@DuranSports) January 17, 2013
Earl Clark will start in place of Gasol on Thursday, as he hopes to celebrate his 25th birthday with a victory over the defending NBA champions.
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VIDEO: Check out what Pau had to say at practice yesterday about his intense concussion symptoms and about coming off the bench
httpvhd://youtu.be/NYhBRJ2Hjes