LAKERS vs BLAZERS (PRE-GAME REPORT)

Coming off an awesome win over the Utah Jazz, the Lakers once again host the Portland Trailblazers, who gave the Boston Celts’ their 5th loss of the season about a week ago. Even without Brandon Roy, Portland was able to pull out a “W” against Boston. For this Portland team, when others need to step up, they have the players to do so.

The last time these two teams met, Greg Oden’s NBA debut was ruined due to an ankle injury early in the game, when he awkwardly landed on Fisher’s foot. Back in the line-up and time to settle in, Oden has developed into a big presence in the paint. If not offensively, then defensively. The match up of Bynum and Oden was one that was anticipated by fans of both teams. With Bynum’s game somewhat decreasing(mainly offensively), and Oden’s somewhat increasing, it can mean trouble for the Lakers.

With Roy out, Portland still has many other offensive options in Outlaw, Blake, Aldridge, Oden, and newly acquired Spain Olympian Rudy Fernandez who also made his NBA debut against the Lakers. Rudy, a possible contestant for this year’s slam dunk contest, has shown some athleticism getting to the basket and is also a pretty good shooter. Outlaw and Aldridge are guys who seem to stay away from the paint and score around the perimeter.

All guys the Lakers can handle defensively. Blake on the other hand can possibly give us problems, with the Lakers trouble in guarding the point. But if Lakers use the strong-side zone and execute correctly, Blake can be funneled to our big guys who can deny him penetration. And since Oden and Prezbilla not able to shoot the mid-range shot too well, our bigs stay down low.

Look for Kobe to have a big game tonight(who seems to always shoot the Blazers to death). Bynum needs to man up and show some aggression and intelligence(that jump hook may not work against Oden). Pau, just needs to be Pau. Fish needs to turn the defense up a little tonight. And the rest just need to do their job and the Lakers will be fine. I don’t expect anything less than a win.