Lakers Vs SuperSonics Preview 11/05/06

GAME: L.A. Lakers Lakers (3-0) at Seattle SuperSonics (0-2) DATE/TIME: Sunday, November 05 - 9:00 PM EST
SPREAD: Seattle -3 TOTAL: 215

The Los Angeles Lakers did just fine in their first two games without Kobe Bryant. Adjusting to the reigning scoring champion's season debut their last time out didn't present any problems either.

Kobe Bryant and the Lakers try to improve to a league-best 4-0 when they conclude a home-and-home series with the winless Seattle SuperSonics at KeyArena on Sunday.

Kobe Bryant, an eight-time All-Star who led the NBA with a 35.4 scoring average in 2005-06, sat out this season's first two games as he worked his way back from arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.

The Los Angeles Lakers rely so heavily on Kobe Bryant that the team figured to struggle until his return, but Lamar Odom and several others more than picked up the slack as Los Angeles averaged 112.0 points in wins over Phoenix and Golden State.

Kobe Bryant scored 23 points on 8-of-15 shooting from the field with six assists and six turnovers in 41 minutes as Los Angeles defeated Seattle 118-112 on Friday.

"I feel pretty good. I wasn't thinking about the knee that much," said Kobe Bryant, who seemed to be moving as well as usual on the court. "It's exciting to be back. I am happy to be out on the floor."

Lamar Odom was the biggest key during Kobe Bryant's absence, averaging 28.0 points, 11.0 rebounds and 7.5 assists in two games. He added 28 points on Friday, including five free throws in the final 36 seconds. Luke Walton scored a career-high 20 points with eight boards and five assists, while Ronny Turiaf contributed 13 points, seven rebounds and two key blocks in the final minute.

"Having Kobe back, watching Ronny Turiaf come up big in the end, that was awesome. That was a lot more fun for me than having a career high in points," Walton said.

The Los Angeles Lakers, who lead the NBA in scoring with 114.0 points per game, are 3-0 for the first time since opening the 2003-04 season with four straight wins.

"The guys worked extremely hard in the offseason," Kobe Bryant said. "To step up when we needed them at the beginning of the season is great."

Sonics coach Bob Hill wasn't happy with the huge disparity in free throws on Friday.

"It's difficult to win a basketball game when one team (Los Angeles) shoots 48 free throws and your team shoots 16 and you go to the basket for two-thirds of the game," Hill said. "That's very difficult to overcome."

Ray Allen led the way with 30 points and Rashard Lewis added 28 for Seattle, which is 0-2 for the first time since 1991-92 and hopes to avoid dropping to 0-3 for the first time since 1985-86. The Sonics are struggling defensively, yielding a league-worst 114.0 points per game.

Seattle, though, can take some positives from Friday. The Sonics erased a 20-point first-quarter deficit and took the lead late in the third quarter and had six players reach double figures.

"We've got to get to the line more," said guard Luke Ridnour, who finished with 12 points. "But we battled hard and we were right there at the end."

The Los Angeles Lakers have won six of the last eight overall meetings against the Sonics, posting a 3-1 mark in their past four visits to Seattle. Kobe Bryant had 43 points in his most recent trip to KeyArena, a 106-93 win on March 31. He is averaging 32.7 points in his last seven games against the Sonics.

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The fans at KeyArena will be treated to a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Seattle SuperSonics when they take their seats on Sunday.

Oddsmakers currently have the SuperSonics listed as 3-point favorites versus the Lakers, while the game's total has not yet been posted.

Lamar Odom showed the Lakers were more than Kobe Bryant with a 28-point performance in Friday's 118-112 win over Seattle in which the Lakers created a PUSH with the 6-point spread at home, and the 230 points scored were OVER the posted total of 210.

Bryant scored 23 in his return to the lineup, while Luke Walton chipped in with 20 and eight rebounds for the Lakers.

Seattle were outduelled in a 118-112 loss to the Lakers on Friday, falling as 6-point underdogs on the road, and the 230 points scored were OVER the posted total of 210.

Ray Allen was good for 30 points, while Rashard Lewis added 28 for the Sonics in a losing cause.

Current streak:
LA Lakershas won 3 straight games.
Seattle has lost 2 straight games.

Team records:
LA Lakers: 3-0 SU, 3-0 ATS
Seattle: 0-2 SU, 0-2 ATS

LA Lakers most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 3-7
Before playing Minnesota are 7-3
After playing Seattle are 3-7
After a win are 8-2

Seattle most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 4-6
Before playing Miami are 4-6
After playing LA Lakers are 3-7
After a loss are 6-4

A few trends to consider:
LA Lakersare 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing Seattle
LA Lakers are 11-4 SU in their last 15 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of the LA Lakers last 7 games when playing on the road against Seattle
LA Lakersare 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Seattle's last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Seattle's last 7 games when playing at home against LA Lakers
Seattle is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games at home
Seattle is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games at home

Next up:
LA Lakers Vs Minnesota Timberwolves,Staples Center Tuesday, November 7
Seattle at Miami, Tuesday, November 7

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