| 20 January 2012
The first game of their Florida tour didn't pan out the way they had hoped yesterday against the Miami Heat, but the Lakers (10-6) will try to rectify their uninspiring turnout with a "W" against Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic (10-4). For that to happen, however, the Lakers have to put last night's game out of their collective heads and start anew with better execution on offense and more grit on defense.
The Lakers are facing a Magic team that has only lost just once in their last 6 games and are also looking to get back to winning after losing against Oklahoma City. Orlando have the 7th highest scoring offense (97.3 PPG) and 10th best defense (92.4 PPG) in the NBA right now due mostly to a guy who calls himself "Superman".
Howard leads all centers in scoring at 20.1 points per game and the entire league in rebounding with a 15.6 rebounds per game average. However, he's only 4th on the shot-blocking list averaging 2.43 swats per outing. Andrew Bynum better bring his "A" game tonight and match Howard's level of intensity and production or the Lakers could see another slide on the road.
If you don't know already, Bynum and Howard have been the subjects of every trade talks even prior to the start of the season. But after Howard listed the Lakers as one of the 4 teams he'd like to be traded to, those talks turned from rumors to whens. It will be interesting, to say the least, how these deal with one another tonight.
After scoring at least 40 points in 4 straight games, Kobe Bryant has totaled just 38 points the last two. He scored 24 points against Miami last night, but his shooting was dismal for much of the contest. He'll have to be more efficient and look for his shots more tonight if the Lakers want to split this back-to-back road trip.
The Lakers haven't won at Amway Arena in the regular season since 2008. They split last season's series by winning the 2nd meeting at Staples Center. The Magic are 5-2 at home.
Matchup of the Game
Andrew Bynum vs. Dwight Howard: Like you don't know already. Bynum needs to impose his length and size advantage over Howard and be a little clever when he takes his shot by trying to pump fake Dwight out of his shoes. Whoever plays a complete game should tell which team will win.
Keys for the Game
1. Execution: The Lakers won't win this game if they continue to look for an outside shot before Gasol and Bynum get their touches first. But that's just part of what they need to do offensively. They also have to shoot well and take good shots. It also wouldn't hurt if they run more pick-and-rolls with Kobe and Pau.
2. Bench: They're long overdue to have an impactful game. They might not have Steve Blake but they can't use that as an excuse to their miserable shooting. All Mike Brown wants out of them is to play hard at all times.
3. Defense: Orlando still has some shooters surrounding Howard, so their perimeter defense needs to rotate quickly and stay home behind the arc. Then, they have to limit the fastbreaks and lobs to Howard.
Game Info
@ Orlando Magic
When: Tonight at 5:00 p.m. (PST)
Where: Amway Arena
TV: KCAL, ESPN
Radio: 710/1330 AM ESPN
