GAME: L.A. Lakers Lakers (14-9) at Chicago Bulls (8-13)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, December 18 - 8:30 PM EST
SPREAD: Chicago -2.5 TOTAL: 202
Source: Covers.com
A groin injury is limiting Kobe Bryant. Kwame Brown's ankle problem, meanwhile, has helped Andrew Bynum flourish.
With Bryant trying to fight through some soreness, Bynum and the Los Angeles Lakers look to sweep their season series with the Chicago Bulls when the teams meet Tuesday night.
Bryant was injured in the final minutes of a loss to Golden State on Friday night and was a game-time decision for Sunday's matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers, but the star guard had a game-high 32 points as the Lakers (14-9) won 113-92.The two-time defending NBA scoring champion, though, had to make adjustments due to some pain.
"I can't really open up my stride as much as I'm used to, so I've got to take shorter, choppy steps as opposed to opening my gait," said Bryant, second in the league with 27.2 points per game. "So if I can just keep it in my mind to keep my stride short, I'll be all right."
Bryant was the only Lakers starter to reach double digits in scoring in a 106-78 win over Chicago on Nov. 18, finishing with 18 points. None of Los Angeles ' starting five played more than 35 minutes in the blowout.
Brown injured his ankle in that game, and Bynum had 14 points and 10 rebounds in place of the Lakers' starting center.
Brown is still sidelined, but Bynum has given the Lakers a strong post presence. The improving 7-footer is averaging 11.5 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.6 blocks while shooting 61.8 percent from the floor in 12 games since Brown was injured.
Bynum - the 10th overall pick in the 2005 draft - had 14 points, nine rebounds and six blocks against the Clippers.
"I think he's really just focused on improving himself and continuing to show that he's the real deal," Los Angeles point guard Derek Fisher said. "He's taking seriously his role of being a protector for us on the defensive end with shot blocking and controlling the defensive boards."
The Lakers have won five of six, averaging 111.8 points in that span. Los Angeles is opening a four-game stretch on the road, where it's 5-5 on the season.
Chicago (8-13), meanwhile, has won six of nine after losing 10 of its first 12."Everybody knows what we're capable of doing," Bulls swingman Luol Deng said after a 101-96 win over New York on Friday night. "This season has been so up-and-down."
Deng had 29 points, while Kirk Hinrich recorded the second triple-double of his career with 15 points, 14 assists and a season-high 12 rebounds.
Hinrich also went 4-for-4 from the free-throw line, and his 27 consecutive made foul shots give him the longest active streak in the NBA. He's shooting a league-best 95.6 percent (43-of-45) from the free-throw line on the season.
The fifth-year guard, however, has been terrible in his last three games versus the Lakers, averaging 6.0 points while shooting 29.2 percent from the floor. He had eight points on 3-of-11 shooting in the Nov. 18 matchup.
Other Lakers Bulls News
11/18/2007 Chicago 78, L.A. Lakers 106
11/18/07 Bulls Lakers preview
12/19/06 L.A. Lakers 89, Chicago 94
12/19/06 Lakers Vs Bulls Preview - 12/19/06
12/19/06 Lakers 82 - Bulls 72 11/19/06
12/19/06 Lakers Vs Bulls Preview 11/18/06
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.
•Finals Game 6 Preview: Celtics vs. Lakers
•Finals Game 4 Preview: Celtics vs. Lakers
•Finals Game 3 Preview: Celtics vs. Lakers
•Finals Game 1 Preview: Celtics vs. Lakers
•Game 5 Preview: Spurs vs. Lakers
•Game 4 Preview: Spurs vs. Lakers
•Game 2 Preview: Spurs vs. Lakers
•Game 1 Preview: Spurs vs. Lakers
•Game 5 Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Game 2 Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Game 3 Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Game 2 Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Kings vs. Lakers
•Preview: Clippers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Grizzlies vs. Lakers
•Preview: Bobcats vs. Lakers
•Preview: Warriors vs. Lakers
•Preview: Mavericks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Raptors vs. Lakers
•Preview: Clippers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Heat vs. Lakers
•Preview: Suns vs. Lakers
•Preview: Timberwolves vs. Lakers
•Preview: Bobcats vs. Lakers
•Preview: Heat vs. Lakers
•Preview: Hawks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Pistons vs. Lakers
•Preview: Knicks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Mavericks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Spurs vs. Lakers
•Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Lakers Head to Seattle Without Injured Bynum
•Preview: Bucks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Grizzlies vs. Lakers
•Preview: 76ers vs. Lakers
•Preview: 76ers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Cavaliers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Bulls vs. Lakers
•Preview: Warriors vs. Lakers
•Preview: Spurs vs. Lakers
•Preview: Nuggets vs Lakers 12/05/07
•Preview: Timberwolves vs Lakers 12/04/07
•Preview: Nuggets vs Lakers 11/29/07
•Preview: Sonics vs Lakers 11/27/07
•Spurs vs Lakers Preview 11/13/07
•Preview: New Orleans Hornets at L.A. Lakers
•Lakers vs Rockets Preview 12/12/06
•Lakers vs Spurs Preview 12/10/06
•Lakers Vs Hawks Preview 12/08/06
•Lakers Vs Pacers 12/04/06
•Lakers Vs Clippers Preview 12/02/06
•Lakers vs Jazz Preview 11-30-06
•Lakers vs Bucks preview 11/28/06
•Lakers vs Nets preview 11/26/06
•Lakers vs Jazz preview 11/24/06
•Lakers vs Clippers preview 11/21/06
•Lakers vs Bulls preview 11/18/06
•Lakers Vs Raptors Preview
•Lakers Vs Pistons Preview
•Lakers Vs Grizzlies Preview
•Lakers Vs Pistons Preview
•Timberwolves Vs Lakers Preview
•Lakers Vs SuperSonics Preview
• Lakers Vs SuperSonics Preview
• Lakers Vs Warriors Preview
• Lakers Vs Suns Preview
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
JR Pinnock news:
• Lakers sign JR Pinnock
Smush Parker news:
• Smush Parker Basketball Camp
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
|
