Mike Trudell of Lakers.com announced today via Twitter that Kobe Bryant missed the team shootaround Thursday morning due to a case of gastroenteritis. We all know Kobe is infamous for playing through injuries and sickness, but this is troubling news right before Game 6 tonight.
The Nuggets could tie up the series easily if Kobe is unable to play. As of now, his status is uncertain. Kobe is crucial; he scored 43 points Tuesday night and nearly bailed the Lakers out of a loss at the end of the game.
As much as I like to see my Lakers play, I don’t want a Game 7. They need to especially watch out for Andre Miller and JaVale McGee tonight, as the two of them put up a combined 45 points last game. McGee found it much to easy to drive up the middle and put up some baskets. The Lakers also had an issue with turnovers last Tuesday, aided by throwing too many lob passes.
Tonight’s game is played in Denver, the last without World Peace. Winning tonight’s game would send the team to Oklahoma on Saturday to take on the 2nd seeded Thunder.
Series Results
Game 1: Nuggets 88 @ Lakers 103
Game 2: Nuggets 100 @ Lakers 104
Game 3: Lakers 84 @ Nuggets 99
Game 4: Lakers 92 @ Nuggets 88
Game 5: Nuggets 102 @ Lakers 99
Lakers lead series 3-2
Game 6, First Round, Western Conference
Los Angeles Lakers at Denver Nuggets
7:30 PM PST, May 10, 2012
Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado
TV: TNT
Radio: 710 AM (English), 1330 AM (Spanish)
Nuggets Projected Starting Line-Up:
PG: Ty Lawson – 15.4 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 6.0 apg
SG: Arron Afflalo – 9.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.0 apg
SF: Danilo Gallinari – 14.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.2 apg
PF: Kenneth Faried – 10.4 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 0.6 apg
C: Timofey Mozgov – 3.6 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 0.2 apg
Key Reserves: G Andre Miller, F Corey Brewer, PF Al Harrington, C JaVale McGee
Best-Case Prediction: Lakers 99, Nuggets 93
Worst-Case: Nuggets 101, Lakers 97
Lakers Nation News
Lakers vs Nuggets Pregame Report: Game 6
Kobe Misses Lakers Shootaround Before Game 6
Will There be a Lakers Channel On Your TV Next Year?
James Harden Wins Sixth Man of the Year
Nugget’s Coach Attempts to Clear the Air on Laptop Allegations
Video: World Peace News and Funny NBA Moments
Time Warner Cable SportsNet Signs Bill Macdonald and Stu Lantz
Lakers News
Lakers at Nuggets: What to Watch [Land O’ Lakers]
The Nuggets Defensive Plan For Their Playoff with the Lakers [Forum Blue and Gold]
Andrew Bynum’s Comments Heat up Nuggets [Yahoo Experts]
Kobe Can Be a Tough Teammate, But He is a Fantastic Brother [Silver Screen and Roll]
World Peace in his Other Comebacks [OC Register]
Video: Kobe “It’s a Lesson to Learn” [ESPN]
NBA Playoffs Features a Trio of Game 6’s [SB Nation]
The Practical Implications of Losing Game 5 [Land O’Lakers]
Bryant Expected to Play Game 6 Despite Illness [Yahoo Sports]
Momentum, Early Lead Will be Key for Lakers [OC Register]
NBA News
Thunder PA Announcer Removed from Duties Due to Criminal Allegations [CBS Sports]
Celtics Host Game 6 Against Hawks [SB Nation]
New York Knicks? Gone Till November [Yahoo Sports]
It’s All on Jeremy Lin Next Year [ESPN]
Did Cartier Martin Finally Find a Home? [Bullets Forever]
Nuggets Chris Anderson’s Home Searched By Police [Eye on Basketball]
Stoudemire Wants Nash in New York Next Season [CBS Sports]
Scouting Report: Knicks vs Heat [ESPN]
Paul, Griffin Injuries Could be Significant [Yahoo Sports]
NBA Playoffs 2012 Schedule and Open Thread [Bullets Forever]
