NBA Picks: Lakers vs Bucks NBA Odds - December 16, 2009: Last night, the World Champs got back on the winning side behind a gutsy 42-point performance by Kobe Bryant. With a broken finger, Bryant almost single-handedly defeated the Chicago Bulls, hitting impossible buckets when they needed it the most, evening out the ongoing road trip to 1-1.

Tonight, the (19-4) Los Angeles Lakers [-6] will look to make it two in a row, as they visit the sports betting odds underdog (11-11) Milwaukee Bucks [+6]. The Lakers and Bucks are set to tipoff tonight's contest at 8 PM ET and you can catch all the action live on FSN-WI and/or KCAL-LAL.

For the visiting Lakers, anytime Kobe goes to Chicago , you know he's thinking about making old fans of number 23 forget that number. Instead, No.24 went in there, after suffering from a stomach bug and a broken index finger and dropped 42 on the Bulls. You think he was trying to send a message? He dropped 20 in the first quarter alone!

"If I ask him how his finger is doing he is going to strangle me," Lakers forward Ron Artest said after last night's win. "When he is hurt you are not allowed to ask him how he is doing or you're not allowed to ask are you OK. He gets very mad. He's a solider."

But how much is this latest injury going to affect the player many call the best on the planet? "This is the most challenging one," Bryant said of his broken finger. "I've played with sore ankles, broken knuckles and things like that. It's tough, it affects my follow through."

For the Bucks, they understand that even with a broken finger and needing IV to play, the Black Mamba is going to try and beat them into submission either way tonight. After a rather solid start, Milwaukee has lost 7 of their last 10. Nevertheless, the Bucks have now won 2 in a row, and have a respectable home record of 9-3.

One of those wins came against the Portland Trail Blazers, 101-108. Andrew Bogut led the way with 27 points, while Brandon Jennings pitched in with 18. "It was important for us to get back to .500," Jennings said, "so it was a big win for us."

Future Sports Star:

Kevin Love
Kevin Love has shown a skill level that is absolutely unheard of amongst big men in the college ranks-knocking down NBA 3-pointers with ease, putting the ball on the floor with either hand, using pump-fakes, spin-moves, jump-stops and creating his own shot with fantastic footwork. He's rebounding the ball well, throwing beautiful outlet passes, contesting shots around the basket, and even coming up with a few blocks on occasion.

Jordan Farmar news:
•Rookie Farmar says he's living Hollywood dream with Lakers
• Grizzlies challenge Farmar
• Stars come out at Camp
• NBA considerations distant memory for pair of eager Cats

Kobe Bryant news:
•Kobe Bryant apologizes to Lakers GM
•Kobe Bryant Wins Scoring Title
•Kobe has most popular jersey in USA, China
•Bryant Proves the Best
•Wade beats Bryant for another Skills Challenge win
•Memorabilia Offered by Kobe Bryant and Upper Deck
•Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant Suspended
•Why did Kobe change to 24?
•Kobe Bryant: Won't Play This Week
•Kobe Bryant to Collab with Lil Wayne
•Lakers' Kobe Bryant ready for another run as NBA season nears
•Kobe Bryant Dunk Videos
•Kobe Bryant Videos
•Kobe Bryant Scores the Cover of NBA '07 for PlayStation
•Los Angeles Lakers All-Star Kobe Bryant Scores the Cover of NBA '07

Los Angeles news:
• Los Angeles news
•Los Angeles Concerts news
• Beckham Signs with Los Angeles Galaxy
• Top 10 Most Valuable NBA Franchise
• 10 Ten things to do in Los Angeles
• Lower back spasms from the court.
• Top 10 Los Angeles Restaurants.
• Top 10 Los Angeles Experiences

Staples Center news:
•Get up to the minute Los Angeles Concert tour news
•Garth Brooks To Play Staples Center Benefit Shows For Fire Victims
•Bon Jovi Staples Center
•Van Halen Staples Center Dec 14th
•Wild try to continue hot start in LA
•Hyundai Returns to X Games 13 Rally Car Racing
• Rumorville Eric Clapton to play the Staples Center
• Grady Brewer wins 'Contender 2' in a split decision over Steve Forbes
• Cirque comes the LA Staples Center

Phil Jackson news:
• Lakers coach Jackson fined US$25,000
• Phil Jackson to have hip surgery