Los Angeles Lakers (23-10) vs Memphis Grizzlies (14-19)
Staples Center – Los Angeles, Calif. 6:30 p.m. PST
Fox Sports West
The Lakers will look to extend their two-game winning streak tonight, as they play host to Zach Randolph and the Memphis Grizzlies at 6:30 p.m. PST.
Memphis’ Projected Starting Lineup
PG: Mike Conley
SG: Sam Young
SF: Rudy Gay
PF: Zach Randolph
C: Marc Gasol
Key Reserves: OJ Mayo, Darrell Arthur, Tony Allen, Hasheem Thabeet, Greivis Vasquez, Xavier Henrey
Injuries: Rudy Gay (day to day) – stomach virus
The Lakers came up short the last time these two teams met, losing 98-96, despite receiving 29 points, seven rebounds and five assists from Kobe Bryant.
This time, the stakes have changed. It’s the first game of the new year and the Lakers enter the game riding a small stream of momentum. Having suffered from a recent case of complacency, the Lakers will undoubtedly attempt to break that trend as they near the season’s halfway point.
Memphis poses a powerful frontline of Randolph (18.8 PPG/12.7 RPG) and Gasol (11.2 PPG/7.2 RPG); however Andrew Bynum’s return to the Lakers’ starting lineup has provided the Lakers with a much needed boost down low. Bynum returned to the starting lineup on December 29, and in the Lakers two games since then, he has been effective, averaging 13 points and 10.5 rebounds per game.
Gay is suffering from a stomach ailment, but he is definitely expected to play, and has been a force on the offensive end for Memphis this season, putting up 20.7 PPG on 47.6 percent shooting – both career highs for Gay.