GAME: Atlanta Hawks (31-21) at L.A. Lakers Lakers (42-10)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, February 17 - 10:30 PM EST
SPREAD: Los Angeles -8.5 TOTAL: 213.5
Source: Covers.com

The reunion of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal in the All-Star game Sunday night was one of the highlights of the All-Star break. Now that the weekend's over, however, Bryant's focus is back on leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a title without his former teammate.

Bryant and the league-best Lakers resume their quest for a championship Tuesday night when they host the Atlanta Hawks.

Bryant and O'Neal took the floor as teammates Sunday for the first time since Los Angeles lost to Detroit in the 2004 NBA finals. O'Neal was traded that summer, breaking apart a duo that led the Lakers to three straight titles but was perhaps better known for the frequent feuding that made the breakup inevitable.

In their reunion, Bryant and O'Neal were selected as co-MVPs after leading the Western Conference to a 146-119 win over the East. Bryant said he enjoyed himself but has more important things to worry about now.

"It was a fun weekend," Bryant said. "As soon as I leave this podium, it is time to get back down to business. Looking forward to it."

Los Angeles (42-10) lost a key player when center Andrew Bynum went down with a knee injury Jan. 31. Though the Lakers closed the first half with a 113-109 loss at Utah , they won in Boston and Cleveland without Bynum and went 11-2 in their last 13 games before the break.

Bynum could be out until the playoffs, but Bryant isn't tempering his expectations.

"We want to win another championship," he said over the weekend. "We have a good team, have the team to do it. That's our goal."

The Hawks (31-21) aren't talking about championships yet, but they're in the mix for homecourt advantage in the East after winning five of their last seven before the break.

Atlanta is six wins shy of its total from last season, when it took eventual champion Boston to seven games in a first-round playoff series.

"That just shows the maturity and hard work in the offseason to get us where we are right now," forward Josh Smith said.

Hawks coach Mike Woodson thinks his team's strong play against the Celtics last spring has been a significant motivator for its success this season.

"We've got a lot of guys that are hungry (from) last year after getting a taste of success in the first round against the world champs," Woodson said after Atlanta closed the first half with a 99-95 win at Detroit on Wednesday night.

"We've learned a lot from playing in that series against Boston . They have kind of made us who we are. I say to these guys all the time: If you can take Boston to seven games, there's no team in this league you can't beat."

If there is, though, it could be the Lakers - the one team in the NBA with a winning percentage (.808) better than the Celtics' (.800).The Lakers have shot 50.0 percent or better in each of their last five home games against the Hawks, going 4-1 in that stretch. Bryant and Pau Gasol scored 23 points apiece in Los Angeles ' 122-93 rout of Atlanta last Feb. 19 at Staples Center .

Johnson led the Hawks with 18 points in that game, while the rest of the starting lineup combined for only 21 points and 9-for-30 (30.0 percent) shooting.

Despite that flat performance on the West Coast, the Hawks managed to split their series with the Lakers last season, riding Johnson's 28 points to a 98-95 home victory Feb. 6.Johnson's averaging 25.0 points and shooting 48.9 percent in his last seven games against Los Angeles.

Other Lakers Hawks News
Lakers Hawks News

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.

•Playoff Game 1 Preview: Mavericks vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 6 Preview: Hornets vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 5 Preview: Hornets vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 3 Preview: Hornets vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 2 Preview: Hornets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Kings vs. Lakers
•Preview: Blazers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Preview: Mavericks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Heat vs. Lakers
•Preview: Hawks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Bobcats vs. Lakers
•Preview: Clippers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Blazers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Hawks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Celtics vs. Lakers
•Preview: Spurs vs. Lakers
•Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Mavericks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Thunder vs. Lakers
•Preview: Nets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Cavaliers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Hornets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Pistons vs. Lakers
•Preview: Heat vs. Lakers
•Preview: Kings vs. Lakers
•Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Preview: Pistons vs. Lakers
•Preview: Timberwolves vs. Lakers
•Preview: Raptors vs. Lakers
•Finals Game 6 Preview: Celtics vs. Lakers
•Finals Game 3 Preview: Celtics vs. Lakers
•Finals Game 1 Preview: Celtics vs. Lakers
•WCF Game 4 Preview: Suns vs. Lakers
•WCF Game 1 Preview: Suns vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 2 Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 6 Preview: Thunder vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 5 Preview: Thunder vs. Lakers
•Preview: Clippers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Thunder vs. Lakers
•Preview: Spurs vs. Lakers
•Preview: Timberwolves vs. Lakers
•Preview: Kings vs. Lakers
•Preview: 76ers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Mavericks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Spurs vs. Lakers
•Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Grizzlies vs. Lakers
•Preview: 76ers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Knicks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Clippers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Mavericks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Blazers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Rockets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Bucks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Timberwolves vs. Lakers
•Preview: Heat vs. Lakers
•Preview: Hornets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Warriors vs. Lakers
•Preview: Knicks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Bulls vs. Lakers
•Preview: Pistons vs. Lakers
•Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Suns vs. Lakers
•Preview: Grizzlies vs. Lakers
•Preview: Rockets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Mavericks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Clippers vs. Lakers
•NBA Finals Game 3 Preview: Magic vs. Lakers
•NBA Finals Game 1 Preview: Magic vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 6 Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 5 Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 4 Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 2 Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 1 Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 6 Preview: Rockets vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 5 Preview: Rockets vs Lakers
•Playoff Game 3 Preview: Rockets vs Lakers
•Playoff Game 2 Preview: Rockets vs Lakers
•Playoff Game 1 Preview: Rockets vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 5 Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 3 Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 2 Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 1 Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Preview: Trailblazers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Kings vs. Lakers
•Preview: Rockets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Bucks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Bobcats vs. Lakers
•Preview: Nets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Pistons vs. Lakers
•Preview: Thunder vs. Lakers
•Preview: Warriors vs. Lakers
•Preview: 76ers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Spurs vs. Lakers
•Preview: Blazers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Grizzlies vs. Lakers
•Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Suns vs. Lakers
•Preview: Thunder vs. Lakers
•Preview: Hornets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Warriors vs. Lakers
•Preview: Hawks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Preview: Thunder vs. Lakers
•Preview: Celtics vs. Lakers
•Preview: Raptors vs. Lakers
•Preview: Timberwolves vs. Lakers
•Preview: Bobcats vs. Lakers
•Preview: Wizards vs. Lakers
•Preview: Clippers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Cavaliers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Magic vs. Lakers
•Preview: Rockets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Pacers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Warriors vs. Lakers
•Preview: Hornets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•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

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