Granted, the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers are not traditional rivals, but the Kobe Bryant-LeBron James battle adds to its intensity. Both teams have changed over the course of this matchup's history, and tonight's should be even more interesting.
The Lakers, despite having an offseason that saw them acquire both Steve Nash and Dwight Howard, have struggled all season long. From Mike Brown's failed Princeton offense to the team struggling to fully adapt to Mike D'Antoni's fast-paced game—not to mention injuries—the Lakers have not been the championship squad the fans hoped they would be.
The Heat's luck has not been as cruel. They remain the top team in the Eastern Conference but have not played with much of a sense of urgency on defense. Now that the Big Three have a championship ring, it's as though the team itself is on autopilot.
That will not be allowed tonight. Thanks to a new defensive approach by star guard Kobe Bryant, the Lakers have won two games in a row by a combined margin of 36 points. By having him in playmaking and defensive mode rather than just scoring points, the Lakers are a more well-rounded team with a more balanced attack.
That is going to be the key to pulling off an upset against Miami, who will be seeking to close out their West Coast road trip with a win.
Time: Thursday, January 17th, 10:30 p.m. EST
TV: TNT
Records: Miami Heat (25-12) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (17-21)
Betting Line: Not available as of Thursday, January 17, 10:35 a.m. EST
Injuries: Steve Blake (abdomen, out), Pau Gasol (concussion, expected to play), Jordan Hill (hip, out), Earl Clark (flu, day-to-day)
Key Storyline: Is Lakers' New Defensive Approach Enough to Stop Miami?
As was mentioned ...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
