Suns at Lakers 2/26

[FArting]

Even when they're not playing at their exceedingly high standards, the Los Angeles Lakers keep finding ways to win.
The Phoenix Suns are finding that an up-tempo style provides their best shot to post victories.

Though Phoenix is Los Angeles' closest pursuer in the Pacific Division, a huge gap remains between the rivals going into their matchup Thursday night.Los Angeles (47-10) returns to Staples Center after winning its fifth straight and 16th in 18 games on Tuesday, 107-93 over Oklahoma City. Kobe Bryant scored 15 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter, but the Thunder nearly erased the Lakers' 18-point third-quarter lead.

"We're pushing for perfection," Lakers forward Lamar Odom said. "We can play better than what we played tonight."Odom had just eight points and eight rebounds versus Oklahoma City after averaging 19.0 points and 16.0 boards in his previous seven contests.After the Thunder pulled within 79-77, Bryant re-entered with 9:17 left and scored the Lakers' next eight points and 13 of their next 17 as Los Angeles built a 10-point lead.Bryant, though, rolled his right ankle with 4:01 remaining when he was fouled going up for a layup. He returned after a timeout.

"It was my ankle, but I've got ankle insurance," said Bryant, who moved past Adrian Dantley for 19th place on the league's all-time scoring list. "I'm fine."It's unlikely Bryant, averaging 33.3 points in his last four games, is going to let a minor ankle injury keep him out Thursday when he can face former teammate Shaquille O'Neal. Bryant and O'Neal shared All-Star Game MVP honors on Feb. 15, but the former Lakers duo hasn't been on the same court for a regular-season game since the teams' first meeting this season -- Los Angeles' 105-92 victory in Phoenix on Nov. 20.

"It was my ankle, but I've got ankle insurance," said Bryant, who moved past Adrian Dantley for 19th place on the league's all-time scoring list. "I'm fine."It's unlikely Bryant, averaging 33.3 points in his last four games, is going to let a minor ankle injury keep him out Thursday when he can face former teammate Shaquille O'Neal. Bryant and O'Neal shared All-Star Game MVP honors on Feb. 15, but the former Lakers duo hasn't been on the same court for a regular-season game since the teams' first meeting this season -- Los Angeles' 105-92 victory in Phoenix on Nov. 20.

Steve Nash had 22 points against Charlotte but left the game in the third quarter with a right ankle injury. He returned in the fourth quarter and the two-time MVP said he doesn't expect the ankle to keep him sidelined.Richardson also suffered a right ankle injury but scored 20 points against his former team."He had a good game, but he really made some big baskets more than anything," Nash told the team's official Web site.In his last game visiting the Lakers, Richardson had 34 points and 10 boards in the Bobcats' 108-95 win on March 26, 2008.The Lakers have won five of six meetings since being ousted by the Suns in the 2007 playoffs.

http://espn.go.com/nba/preview?gameId=290226013

 

[D-Dogg]

Suns will be winning one of these two games.

Lakers haven't been very sharp recently, and Kobe's ankle is banged up.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Nash's ankle is banged up too.

I doubt the Suns win one of these, but they need to if they want to be in the playoffs. If they win the first one, it will give them all the confidence that they need the rest of these two weeks.

 

[Mulli]

I would but at least 20 mil Asfn on the Flakers.

 

[cly2tw]

We might win one without Nash as we could play better defense this way.

 

[Covert Rain]

Man how times have changed. We went from always beating the Lakers, to this game could go either way.....to we are lucky if we win this.

Very sad.

 

[95pro]

Man how times have changed. We went from always beating the Lakers, to this game could go either way.....to we are lucky if we win this.

Very sad.

i know what you mean.lol

also i was looking at the 07 laker roster, starting they had:

parker
kobe
odom
rad
bynum

 

[Hat]

I don't see us winning this. Another embarassing loss on national TV.

The key here is to guard Odom well. He's been playing really good as of lately. My starting lineup would have Barnes or Amundson in as PF. I think Odom is a bit too big for Hill. We can put him on Kobe.

Also, Gasol is pretty gassed. He's been averaging like 40 mins a game. We need to pound the ball inside to Shaq, quick and fast, not only to tire him out, but also get him into foul trouble.

 

[PoolBoy]

very bad feeling about this game. I'm watching the ASU basketball game.

 

[Andrew]

If they win this, that will make my week.

 

[lou_skywalker]

If they win this, that will make my week.

don't worry, we will loose badly, and your week is spoiled

 

[TJ]

Man how times have changed. We went from always beating the Lakers, to this game could go either way.....to we are lucky if we win this.

Very sad.

The fans are what make it sad. I don't mind a team having a run of success, but when it is the Lakers, their fans start coming out of the wood work and puffing chests.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Nash is out tonight and questionable for Friday per KTAR.

 

[abomb]

The fans are what make it sad. I don't mind a team having a run of success, but when it is the Lakers, their fans start coming out of the wood work and puffing chests.

At least on ASFN, I think we Lakers fans have been much less visible now. The banter was much more fun when the teams were even or the Suns were better.

 

[Mulli]

At least on ASFN, I think we Lakers fans have been much less visible now. The banter was much more fun when the teams were even or the Suns were better.

True.

 

[TJ]

At least on ASFN, I think we Lakers fans have been much less visible now. The banter was much more fun when the teams were even or the Suns were better.

My apologies, abomb, for my over generalizations. I respect you and Donald not because you both are Cards fans, but seem like decent human beings. My physical (literally) experiences have been very negative with Laker fan. I used to go to Laker games all the time at Staples center for work. When/if you and I hook up at a Cards game I'll tell you a nice story about the 2006 playoffs.

It's also noteworthy that my wife and in-laws are all Laker fans and my father-in-law made it a point to bring up the rivalry at our wedding (mind you we got married in L.A.)

 

[Cheesewater]

It's also noteworthy that my wife and in-laws are all Laker fans and my father-in-law made it a point to bring up the rivalry at our wedding (mind you we got married in L.A.)

I hope later you regaled him with tales of your honeymoon.

 

[D-Dogg]

I respect you and Donald not because you both are Cards fans, but seem like decent human beings. :

Appearances can be deceiving.

 

[abomb]

My apologies, abomb, for my over generalizations. I respect you and Donald not because you both are Cards fans, but seem like decent human beings. My physical (literally) experiences have been very negative with Laker fan. I used to go to Laker games all the time at Staples center for work. When/if you and I hook up at a Cards game I'll tell you a nice story about the 2006 playoffs.

It's also noteworthy that my wife and in-laws are all Laker fans and my father-in-law made it a point to bring up the rivalry at our wedding (mind you we got married in L.A.)

 

[lou_skywalker]

With Nash not playing and J-Rich with ankle problems, I think we are done this week. :S

 

[AfroSuns]

I wonder if Phil, will decide to rest Kobe or Gasol or both.. Popovich did it with his big three. Wondering if PJ might do the same.

 

[lou_skywalker]

I wonder if Phil, will decide to rest Kobe or Gasol or both.. Popovich did it with his big three. Wondering if PJ might do the same.

I think Kobe would absolutely hate that and sees it as a form of disrespect.
It is a good idea to rest Gasol, he is really gassed with 40 min a game.

 

[Chaplin]

I think Kobe would absolutely hate that and sees it as a form of disrespect.
It is a good idea to rest Gasol, he is really gassed with 40 min a game.

I would be surprised if Kobe gets more than 25 minutes tonight--he's playing on a bad ankle as well.

 

[mjb21aztd]

lets go suns I just hope we don't get blown out by 20 pts tonight.... real nervous about tonights game plus its on national tv which is never a good sign. I hate to say it but I think the suns play a hard fought game but lose in the end .

Lakers 113

Suns 107

Leading Scorer Richardson 23 pts

 

[dodie53]

amare and nash out.

anyone else?

go suns!