Mike D’Antoni wasn’t ready to confirm his starting line-up yesterday, although Shawne Williams hinted that he’d be starting tonight. At Lakers shootaround this morning, the Lakers tweeted tonight’s starting line-up which, as expected, included Williams starting at the four. Chris Kaman did not play in the Lakers final two preseason games after returning from China with a stomach issue and unable to practice.
The Lakers will start tonight the same way they did in the final two preseason games: Nash, Blake, Young, Williams and Gasol.
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 29, 2013
According to Bill Oram of the OC Register, expect the bench to see plenty of minutes. With Kobe Bryant out of the line-up and Steve Nash battling a neck issue, D’Antoni is still experimenting with the most effective combinations.
Expect D’Antoni to go deep into bench tonight vs. Clippers. Said he can’t exclude anybody and still position battles.
— Bill Oram (@bill_oram) October 29, 2013
With all the talk about whether or not Nash will be sitting out during back to back games this season, Nash cleared the air at this morning’s shootaround. According to Mark Spears of Yahoo Sports, Nash is wiling to participate in all games this season.
Steve Nash: “If I can play in them all, I will play in them all.”
— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) October 29, 2013
Of course, if Nash isn’t healthy resting him in back to backs still isn’t out of the question. The Lakers take on the Los Angeles Clippers tonight at Staples Center. Without their superstar, an ailing Nash and a recovering Chris Kaman, it’ll be a tall order.
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VIDEO: Chris Kaman Raves About Team Chemistry
