Los Angeles lost for the fourth time in their last six games, falling to Memphis at home 104-85 on Sunday. The Pistons come in off a 102-97 loss at Utah, and have lost four of their last five overall, and 11 of 12 on the road.
Checking out the NBA spreads for this game, oddsmakers have the Lakers favored by 12 points over Pistons at home.
The Lakers won at Detroit 103-90 back on Nov. 17. Kobe Bryant had 33 points and nine rebounds, Pau Gasol had 25 points and 12 rebounds and Lamar Odom had 15 points and 14 rebounds.
Rodney Stuckey led the way for the Pistons with just 18 points.
The Lakers aren't really playing that well together right now, at least not consistently. Los Angeles had won two straight before taking on the Grizzlies, but didn't look good at all. The Lakers last four losses have all been by 15 points or more, not exactly a kind of stat you expect to see from the defending champs.
Just three Lakers scored in double-figures against Memphis, led by 28 points from Kobe Bryant. Gasol had just 10 points and eight boards and Lamar Odom managed just seven points.
Right now the Lakers look like and old team and they simply aren't getting the production out of their role players or their stars right now. Gasol has reached the 20-point mark just four times in the Lakers last 18 games, and until they get him going, the Lakers are going to struggle.
Los Angeles is 16-3 when Gasol scores just 18 points.
The Pistons got a 26 points from Tayshaun Prince in the loss to the Jazz, and if Prince can get going tonight, Detroit might have a chance in this one. Prince has averaged 19 points against the Lakers since the 2004-05 season.
Tracy McGrady also had a nice game for the Pistons with 11 points, 11 assist...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
