The Lakers are kicking off their 7 game road trip, however are not so much starting on the road, but just another colored hardwood floor. Tonight will be a battle between in-town rivals the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers. Here’s a preview of what the starting line-ups might look like for tonight’s game.
Lakers – Clippers
Derek Fisher – Eric Bledsoe
Kobe Bryant – Eric Gordon
Ron Artest – Al-Farouq Aminu
Lamar Odom – Blake Griffin
Pau Gasol – DeAndre Jordan
As for us Lakers fans, we can simply say our team is called “The Lake Show”. On the other hand, the Clippers have what is called “The Blake Show.” Blake Griffin that is. In his second season playing as a rookie, the power forward has made a huge splash in the league and fast. Putting up big numbers for the team and unbelievable jaw dropping dunks in nearly every game. (By the way, I still can’t believe what he did to the Knicks). Griffin has posted a double-double in his last 9 games, standing out from most rookies for the ROY award.
This season, Eric Gordon has been the points leader for this young Clippers team at 24.3, and is clearly a candidate for the Most Improved Player award. Gordon has been scoring at a high rate and doing it consistently. His jumper is solid and he can be a dangerous threat behind the arc for the Lakers tonight.
Rookie Eric Bledsoe is averaging more playing time than 2010 second pick overall Evan Turner this season. Bledsoe is doing a good job so far replacing injured guard Baron Davis who recently came back to the line-up but started off on the bench. For Bledsoe to take on such a huge role for the team as a rookie, unfortunately he has found himself rather inconsistent in games and will clearly need more time to develop.
Sources on ESPN say Baron Davis might have injured himself once again. Chris Kaman, however, is out after re-injuring his left ankle.
The Lakers were in a nail biter versus Washington on Tuesday night. Lamar Odom had a chance to run out the clock to seal the game, but got too into the moment, throwing up a 3-pointer. As Phil Jackson pointed out to him, Lamar admit it was a “selfish” move. No hard feelings if the W is in the books, but the Lakers almost let that game slip out of their hands. The Lakers held off the Wizards 115-108.
Pau Gasol just played his 11th game with 40+ minutes. I’m predicting that he might be a little sluggish tonight after playing heavy minutes and putting on a solid performance last night with 21 points, 14 boards, and 8 assists. Hopefully Bynum returns soon and can reduce the load on Pau’s shoulders. Other than Kobe, Gasol has been getting a lot of buzz for the league’s MVP award.
The Lakers look to push themselves back into the top three teams in the West tonight against the 5-17 Clippers. Their seven game road stretch will take them to Chicago, New Jersey, Washington and Indiana back-to-back, Philadelphia, and Toronto. This will be their first out of two 7-game road trips this season.
Rumors are Bynum may play on the 14th of December. That day, L.A. will be on the road against the Washington Wizards.
Lakers @ Clippers
Staples Center, Los Angeles CA
7:30 PST
TV: KCAL9
Radio: 710/1330 AM ESPN