Lakers Vs SuperSonics Preview 11/03/06

GAME: Seattle SuperSonics (0-1) at L.A. Lakers Lakers (2-0) DATE/TIME: Friday, November 03 - 10:30 PM EST
SPREAD: Los Angeles -4 N/A TOTAL: N/A

(Los Angeles)At the end of his team`s first-round playoff loss in May, Kobe Bryant said the Los Angeles Lakers needed to spread out their offense. The NBA`s scoring champion probably didn`t envision the Lakers would need to do it without him.

The Lakers look to remain unbeaten when they play the first game of a weekend home-and-home series with the Seattle SuperSonics on Friday at the Staples Center.

Kobe Bryant has missed the first two games of the season as rehabilitates a surgically repaired right knee. The Lakers (2-0) hope to have him back sometime this weekend, either in Friday`s game or Sunday`s contest in Seattle.

Kobe Bryant averaged a league-high 35.4 points last season and made up more than one-third of the Lakers` points. However, in the decisive Game 7 of a first-round playoff series against Phoenix, Kobe Bryant scored only one point in the second half of a 121-90 defeat.

``If we were going to get back in this type of game, we have to have everybody contributing,`` Kobe Bryant said.

Without Kobe Bryant, four Lakers have scored in double figures in each of this week`s two victories. Los Angeles defeated the Suns 114-106 in the season-opener on Tuesday, led by Lamar Odom`s 34 points and 13 rebounds.

Lamar Odom then scored 22 points in Wednesday`s 110-98 win over Golden State, but reserve forward Ronny Turiaf led the team with a career-high 23 points off the bench.

Ronny Turiaf played in just 23 games with the Lakers as a rookie last season, averaging two points and 1.6 rebounds.

``We have a lot of guys who can do a lot of things,`` said assistant coach Kurt Rambis, who is filling in as head coach while Phil Jackson recovers from hip surgery. ``If we can get them to understand their potential and their ability to work together, I think we`re going to have a really good ballclub.``

Lamar Odom played well against Seattle last season, averaging 18.7 points in three games versus the Sonics, including two double-doubles. The Lakers won two of those three meetings.

The teams have split 12 meetings at the Staples Center since 2000.

The Sonics (0-1) lost their season opener 110-106 to the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday. Seattle trailed by two points with nine seconds left, but Ray Allen missed an open 3-pointer and Damien Wilkins missed a putback attempt.

Allen shot just 3-for-7 in the first half, but went 6-for-13 from the field after halftime to finish with 22 points.

Seattle allowed Portland to shoot 54.8 percent from the floor, and also committed 25 fouls which led to 28 points for the Blazers.

``We didn`t do the things we needed to win and that`s a trend we can`t start,`` said Sonics forward Nick Collison, who had two points and two rebounds one night after signing a multi-year contract extension. ``That`s the difference between a good team and a mediocre team in this league.``

The teams meet again on Sunday at Key Arena for the second of four meetings this season.

Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.

The Supersonics blew a fourth-quarter lead and lost 108-106 to the Portland Trailblazers last time out. Seattle was listed as an 8.5-point favorite and failed to cover the spread, but the game's combined score went OVER the posted total of (195.5).

Luke Ridnor netted 22 points, five rebounds and 13 assists, while shooting 10-for-17 from the field.

The LA Lakers defeated the Golden State Warriors 110-98 last time out. The Lakers won the game as a 7-point underdog and the combined score was an OVER play.

Lamar http://www.losangeleslakersonline.com/lamar-odom.php">Lamar Odom led the attack, shooting 6-for-10 from the field, collecting 17 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.

Current streak:

Los Angeles Lakers have won 2 straight games.

Team records:
Seattle: 0-1 SU, 0-1 ATS
Los Angeles: 2-0 SU, 2-0 ATS

Seattle most recently:
When playing on Friday are 3-7
Before playing LA Lakers are 3-7
After playing Portland are 7-3
After a loss are 7-3

Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing Seattle are 6-4
After playing Golden State are 5-5
After a win are 7-3

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Seattle's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Seattle's last 5 games when playing LA Lakers
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Seattle's last 11 games when playing on the road against LA Lakers
Seattle is 11-4-1 ATS in their last 16 games when playing on the road against LA Lakers
The total has gone OVER in 5 of the LA Lakers last 5 games
LA Lakers are 9-1 SU in their last 10 games at home
LA Lakers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of the LA Lakers last 5 games when playing Seattle

Next up:
Seattle home to LA Lakers, Sunday, November 5
LA Lakers at Seattle, Sunday, November 5

Sonics Vs Lakers News: Sonics 109 L.A. Lakers 112 04/06/07 Sonics vs Lakers Preview 04/06/07
Lakers 101 SuperSonics 117
Lakers Vs SuperSonics Preview 11/03/06

Next up:
LA Lakers vs Seattle Supersonics, Sunday November 5 at the Key Arena.

Future Pro Athletes:
Anthony Morelli
Anthony Morelli
junior year at Penn State got off to a good start: He threw a 42-yard touchdown on his first pass as the Nittany Lion's starting quarterback in a 34-16 win over the University of Akron
PJ Hill
PJ Hill
ranks first in the Big Ten Conference and sixth in the nation in rushing yards. PJ Hill was named the 2006 Big Ten Freshman of the Year.
Mat Simms
Matt Simms
earned Associated Press All-State honors as a junior. Matt Simms is the son of former New York Giant quarterback Phil Simms and brother of Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Chris Simms.

•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