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Down & out in LA (New Orleans visits) E-mail
Written by Don   
Wednesday, 07 January 2009 00:00
New Orleans Hornets (20-10) at Los Angeles Lakers (27-5)

LA now possess the best record in the NBA, and I'd expect them not to relinquish that when New Orleans comes to town.  Of that 27-5 record, the Lakers own a 18-1 record at home.  They are also on a 15 game home winning streak, making that 16 would be something they haven't done in 20 years.
But to get this done, they face a formidable opponent: the New Orleans Hornets. For the third time.
LA won the first 2, both in New Orleans.

physical-gasolThe key to beating the Hornets isn't to stop Chris Paul - that's nigh-on impossible - it's to limit the damage he can do to you by containing him as much as possible (pretty much a given that he'll get his 20/10+) and limiting what his team-mates do.  David West had a big game first up against LA (21 points, 12 rebounds), but in the second game on Christmas Eve he was well held (13/6).  LA's bigs must reduce both West and Chandler to being non-entities within the game. If the Lakers can get the upperhand on New Orleans in this area, it will go a long way towards winning the game.

With Luke Walton out for 2 weeks, it's likely that Ariza gets another start.  The athletic forward gives the LA defense quite a bit more punch from the very start. Kobe's been fantastic of late, and Gasol has been the perfect foil.  Look for Andrew Bynum to assert himself (or attempt to!) in this game.  LA have been a much more physical team recently - no doubt still trying to shake the malaise that stopped them in last season's finals.
The one concern is LA's tendency towards slow starts - this is something that they'll be keen to eliminate.  Get on top fast, and stay there (obviously).
Should be fine, LA by 10+.

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