Cavs v Lakers

[DPG21920]

This is going to be a great game. Both teams have some injuries, but are still playing at a high level. It will be interesting to see how the Lakers handle this game and Lebron. Will Ariza guard him? Kobe? Who is going to guard Pau and Bynum?

This is a tough part of the schedule for the Lakers. They have played 2 contenders the past two games and lost both games in a shootout. This is another home test against another potential finals opponent, it will be interesting to see how this goes.

[Thunder Dan]

I think the Cavs turn into the Cadavers tonight and go down. The West injury really hurts because they have to depend on Sasha Pavlovic to step up- which he normally doesn't because he is such a pussy. But for whatever reason he seems to guard Kobe pretty well...by which I mean he doesn't give up 40, or even 35 when he guards him.

The good news is that the Lakers are banged up too, and the Cavs are 4-1 in the last 5 vs the Lakers. I think the Lakers' size will hurt the Cavs and carry the Lakers tonight. Missing Z really hurts us.

[DPG21920]

Yeah, Big Z being out is the worst injury for either team. It will be interesting to see if the Cavs just try and out gun them by going small.

[xtremesteven33]

Lets go Cavs!

[m33p0]

Yeah, Big Z being out is the worst injury for either team. It will be interesting to see if the Cavs just try and out gun them by going small.

they're actually better playing small.

[Lakers_55]

A loss won't hurt either team. I look forward to watching it.

[DPG21920]

A loss won't hurt either team. I look forward to watching it.

3 straight losses to contenders would not bother the Lakers?

[Reck]

A loss won't hurt either team. I look forward to watching it.

To me, it would hurt the Lakers more.

Lakers have loss key games lately. They got swept by Orlando and loss to the Spurs. Only elite win they have this year I would say is beating the Celtics. If Lakers dont beat the Cavs tonight I'd say this could messed with their head a little.

[scanry]

3 straight losses to contenders would not bother the Lakers?

It's not like they lost to some panzy ass teams. They just need to execute better down the stretch.

Lakers at worst will win 60 games this year and will still have home court throughout the West Conf. I'd be happy with that instead of gassing your team to get the best record. It's all about spacing yourself. You'd have to look at the 2006 Spurs & Pistons. They looked tired that post season.

[DPG21920]

It is not about wins losses so much as it is about quality wins and losses. The Lakers have been in every game, but you know no body likes to lose 3 in a row (especially when 2 are at home).

The Lakers should be winning these games. They do not worry about "panzy ass teams" but they do care about the measuring sticks of the league.

[Lakers_55]

3 straight losses to contenders would not bother the Lakers?

Well, you guys would have to know what this team is all about to know why it wouldn't. Yeah, they won't like it if it happens, but this is a real team. They hang out en masse together during their free time, socializing. A tight band of brothers have they become. They have tasted getting to the finals, something many teams must do before they can win them. Season mission is an NBA le. They are capable, and remain favorites in the west. Kobe doesn't need Shaq to win it all, contrary to what the smack talkers say.

Had the Lakers won last year, they wouldn't be as driven as they are this year. That's bad news for the league. That's my opinion, and I don't mind seeing all the people here say otherwise. If I wanted to see everyone agree with me, I would post at a Laker site. I like the hostile environment more.

Besides, the season is just now reaching the midway point. A long way to go.......

[Thunder Dan]

Yeah, Big Z being out is the worst injury for either team. It will be interesting to see if the Cavs just try and out gun them by going small.

for this particular game Z being out is the worst- I think that over the long haul West being out hurts more because he is our best perimeter defender. He is able to keep speedy guards out of the paint. That is why we match up well with the Lakers, because they don't depend on that.

But I think the loss would hurt the Cavs more because they are neck-and-neck with Orlando and Boston. If they have a bad road trip it could be hard to make up ground on those teams. I'm sold into thinking the Cavs need HCA to win the East

[Showtime24 LAKERS]

Whoever is guarding LeBron is gonna have their work cut out for them. I think he's around 270 pounds, which is ridiculous considering how fast he is on the court.

Gasol is listed at 260 and Bynum is 280 I believe

Walton, Odom, and Radman are all around 230, while Ariza is at 210 and Kobe's around 200.

LeBron's probably gonna have a weight advantage on everybody, I hope the Lakers are ready to play tonight.

[NBA Junkie]

I think the Lakers win tonight.

I can't wait to see the Cavs-Jazz game in person this Saturday in Salt Lake City!

[DPG21920]

Lakers have to be favorites, especially at home. But the Cavs will play good defense. It will be interesting to see if Kobe tries to match Lebron or if they just dump the ball to Bynum and Pau all day (which they should).

Lakers 55: When will the losses matter, at what point? Also, it does not take "getting to the finals" to amp you up. Spurs won their first finals appearance.

[DrHouse]

The Lakers don't need to win regular season games to prove to themselves that they are the best team in the league. They could lose tonight and I sincerely doubt it would do anything to their psyche.

The real test for them was against BOS on XMAS day. That was the only team last season that truly got into their heads and punked them. Well, they passed their test. Now it's all about staying healthy and maintaining the #1 spot in the WC for HCA in the playoffs.

Regular season games in January typically don't mean much to contenders.

[j-money24]

are u kidding me? this game is really important, i would like to see the lakers how they match up with the new look cavs even though their injured, were going to have to wait for next game when their healthy but i think the cavs and lakers will meet up in the finals so this game is very important for both.

[DPG21920]

The Lakers don't need to win regular season games to prove to themselves that they are the best team in the league. They could lose tonight and I sincerely doubt it would do anything to their psyche.

The real test for them was against BOS on XMAS day. That was the only team last season that truly got into their heads and punked them. Well, they passed their test. Now it's all about staying healthy and maintaining the #1 spot in the WC for HCA in the playoffs.

Regular season games in January typically don't mean much to contenders.

So having HCA throughout the playoffs is not important? What if the Lakers lose the Celtics next time they play? Which game will be weighted more?

[DrHouse]

So having HCA throughout the playoffs is not important? What if the Lakers lose the Celtics next time they play? Which game will be weighted more?

Did you not read what I wrote? I said having HCA throughout the playoffs should be a goal for the Lakers.

[DPG21920]

Did you not read what I wrote? I said having HCA throughout the playoffs should be a goal for the Lakers.

You said in the WC, not the entire league. Answer my questions.

[cobbler]

3 losses in a row to contenders would bother them. Losing bothers anyone. However, being down several players and losing in the last seconds is no reason to push any panic buttons.

They will be fine...

[CavsSuperFan]

The Cavs need more games against the Lakers, Clippers, Golden State, and Kings so they can rest the starters…

[IronMexican]

I thought no posting from you?

[lil_penny]

This is gonna be a great game

[TheMadHatter]

3 losses in a row to contenders would bother them. Losing bothers anyone. However, being down several players and losing in the last seconds is no reason to push any panic buttons.

They will be fine...

Exactly. It would be one thing if the Lakers were getting blown out by contenders, but they've basically lost the last 2 games in the final seconds. No reason to panic really.

I'd like to see Walton return to the lineup ASAP though. The IQ of that 1st unit goes down the drain when Space Cadet is on the floor.