Kobe Bryant and company are still four games out of the final playoff spot in the ultra-competitive Western Conference and will take on a scrappy young Milwaukee Bucks team tonight.
The Bucks have been on a hot streak of their own, of late. Ever since assistant Jim Boylan took over as head coach following Scott Skiles' departure, the team has won three of four, including a major upset victory against the Chicago Bulls on January 9.
Young Milwaukee will be looking to do the same against the Lakers. Los Angeles may not be playing like an elite team this year, but their collective experience makes them the team to beat tonight, despite the inferior record.
That isn't to say that the Lakers have this one in the bag. As great as they have looked in head coach Mike D'Antoni's fast-paced offense, they have also looked incredibly bad at some points. Given the Bucks' new balanced attack under Boylan, this has every chance to be one of those nights.
Time: Tuesday, January 15th, 10:30 p.m. EST
TV: Time Warner Cable Sportsnet, FSN Wisconsin
Records: Milwaukee Bucks (19-17) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (16-21)
Betting Line: Milwaukee (+7), Los Angeles (-7), via Bovada
Injuries: Jordan Hill (hip, out), Pau Gasol (concussion, day-to-day), Steve Blake (abdomen, out)
Key Storyline: Can Young Bucks Pull Off Charge Against Lakers?
If there is one thing that the Bucks have going for them, it's their youth.
So many of the team's key players, most notably guards Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings, are under 30, and that definitely helps in games against more experienced squads. Milwaukee won the season series against the aging Boston Celtics, 3-1, and also defeated the defending champion Miami Heat on December 29....
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
