The Lakers return to Staples Center tonight after their four-game road trip, where they won two games and lost two. L.A. is looking to get a third straight win against the struggling Bobcats, who are currently in an 11-game slump. The Lakers have an all-time record of 7-8 against the Bobcats with a 5-3 record against Charlotte at Staples Center. L.A. is currently at 11-14.
Gasol is back in action tonight as a Lakers starter. The Lakers went 3-5 without him and 8-9 with him. Gasol didn’t exactly play up to par before he decided to sit games down because of tendinitis on both knees but L.A. needs some power in the center position. Pau is ready to deliver that tonight as he plans to be as explosive as ever.
Even with the added talent, Mike D’Antoni said the recent news about Pau Gasol’s return won’t necessarily change the game plan for tonight’s game. All that will be different are the off the bench and starter options. Although the Bobcats have dropped the last 11 straight games, they are a team that knows how to force turnovers, especially through their full-court press. With the Lakers having a turnover issue recently, this could be a problem.
More injury update news. Steve Nash is looking to return to the Los Angeles Lakers’ lineup Saturday against the Golden State Warriors if practice goes well this week. If he isn’t able to make it this weekend, the PG will hopefully start on Christmas Day. He has missed 23 games this season after suffering a fractured left fibula on Nov. 1 against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second season game. Jordan Hill has also been out with back spasms the past two games and won’t be playing tonight.
For more on the pregame report, click here.
Charlotte Bobcats (7-16) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (11-14)
7:30 PM PST, December 18, 2012
Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
TV: TWC Sports Network
Radio: 710 ESPN (English) 1330 KWKW (Spanish)
Bobcats Projected Starting Line-up
PG: Kemba Walker
SG: Gerald Henderson
SF: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
PF: Bismack Biyombo
C: Byron Mullens
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Pau Gasol to Play Against Charlotte [Inside the Lakers]
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Report: Steve Nash Targeting Saturday for Return to Lakers [ProBasketballTalk]
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Pau Gasol Could See More Facilitating, Less Scoring When He Returns [Lakers Blog]
Pau Gasol, Steve Nash Practice [ESPN]
Dec. 17 Injury Update: Steve Nash [Lakers Blog]
Steve Nash Says He Will “most Likely” Return Christmas Day vs. Knicks [Inside the Lakers]
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The Saddest Injury Update of All Time [SB Nation]
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