Seven games are left until the start of the playoffs. Seven. The countdown has been going on since the start of the season, with every “will they make it, will they not make it” post when the Lakers started sliding. Now the end is near. Thankfully the Lakers stand in good position to overcome the Jazz for that eighth seed. As of right now, they are only one-half game ahead and need tonight’s win to extend that lead.
Every game counts. The last six games bring L.A. up against some tough opponents, like the Clippers, Spurs and Rockets. On the positive side, only their upcoming game against the Trailblazers is away. Lakers fans will be able to pack Staples center at home and watch their beloved team play six of the last seven games.
Tonight, Los Angeles faces the Grizzlies, who have won two games already against the Lakers this year. The Lakers have an all-time record of 46-19 against the Grizzlies, with a 25-7 home record against Memphis. This game will also be a battle of the Gasol brothers, as Marc Gasol on Memphis came back sooner than expected from his abdominal injury.
Hopefully, Dwight keeps impressing. Howard is averaging 24.0 points, 13.5 rebounds and three blocks in his last two games, and has only improved over the last chunk of games. He is the defensive influence the Lakers so desperately need. The Lakers give up an average of 100.4 points per 100 possessions when Howard is playing, but allow 115.8 when he’s benched. Unfortunately, Metta World Peace’s injury leave the Lakers with a lack of defensive talent. Sure, Los Angeles has a number of players that put up impressive numbers offensively, but as we all know, defense wins games. If you can’t stop the other team from scoring, you give up a fair chance of winning. Hopefully Kobe scores another triple-double with Dwight contesting shots like the Lakers’ last game against the Mavericks.
With news that Steve Nash will miss his second consecutive game tonight against the Grizzlies, Laker fans voted on who needs to step up in his absence. Will it be Dwight? Pau? Blake? Click here to see what fans had to say.
Lakers Nation is giving away two tickets to the Lakers, Clippers game at Staples Center this Sunday. But, due to the high amount of enthusiasm over the initial contest, LN is adding more prizes. One grand prize winner will still win two (2) tickets to Lakers, Clippers at Staples Center on Sunday, April 7. Two (2) additional second prize winners will get a Lakers Nation shirt package. Second place will receive a package of five (5) Lakers Nation t-shirts, while third place will win three (3) Lakers Nation t-shirts. Get all the details on how to enter here.
For the rest of the pregame report, click here.
Memphis Grizzlies (51-24) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (39-63)
7:30 PM PST, April 5, 2013
Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
TV: TWC SportsNet
Radio: 710 ESPN (English) 1330 KWKW (Spanish)
Grizzlies Projected Starting Line-up
PG: Mike Conley
SG: Tony Allen
SF: Tayshaun Prince
PF: Zach Randolph
C: Marc Gasol
Key Reserves: G Jerryd Bayless, G Quincy Pondexter, F Darrell Arthur
Lakers Nation News
Lakers News: Lakers Nation Votes Who Needs to Step Up Versus Grizzlies
NBA News: New Orleans Hornets To Help Determine West’s 8th Seed
Shootaround Report: Steve Nash Out, Kobe and Gasol To Facilitate
Lakers Dunk Of The Week: Kobe Bryant Slam or Dwight Howard Oop?
Pau Gasol Opens Up About Dwight Howard and D’Antoni’s System
Lakers Nation Ticket Contest Update: Win Lakers, Clippers Tickets
Lakers Game Preview: The Grizzlies Visit Downtown Los Angeles
Magic Johnson Talks About Learning His Son, E.J., Was Gay
Lakers News
Steve Nash Out Friday Against Grizzlies [Silver Screen and Roll]
Playoff Hopes Rest in Howard’s Hands [Silver Screen and Roll]
Lakers-Grizzlies Preview: In the Driver’s Seat [Silver Screen and Roll]
The High Price of Being the Lakers [ESPN LA]
Pau Gasol is Starting to Find His Way With Howard, D’Antoni [LA Times]
Injury Update: Metta World Peace [Lakers Blog]
Three’s Company, Four’s A Crowd For the Los Angeles Lakers [Beyond the Final Score]
The Forum: Can Lakers Improve Next Season? [ESPN]
New Orleans Hornets May Determine the Western Conference’s 8th Seed [Yahoo Sports]
Bring Phil Back and Blame D’Antoni? It’s Not That Easy [Lakers Index]
Lakers Ready For Grizzlies [Lakers Blog]
Steve Nash of Los Angeles Lakers Misses Practice, Doubtful to Play vs. Memphis Grizzlies [ESPNLA]
Minnesota Could Be Key to Lakers’ Playoff Future [LA Times]
D’Antoni Keeping His Eyes on the Lakers [OC Register]
Shaquille O’Neal Makes Strange Los Angeles Lakers Season Even Stranger [SI.com]
Gameday: Lakers vs. Grizzlies [THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS]
Metta World Peace Off Crutches [ESPN LA]
Dwight Howard and the Lakers’ Defensive Numbers [Land O’Lakers]
What are the Lakers Chances? [Hot Button]
Lakers Recall Darius Morris and Robert Sacre [THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS]
Los Angeles Lakers: Why “Givita Kobe” Strategy Causes Team to Lose [Beyond the Final Score]
Lakers vs Grizzlies [ESPN]
Lakers: World Peace Better But No Word on His Return [OC Register]
NBA News
Danilo Gallinari of Denver Nuggets to Have MRI After Injuring Knee [ESPN]
How Much Will OKC Miss Harden? [Per Diem]
Thunder: Staying On The Court Is Half The Battle [Daily Dime]
San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder [ESPN]
Dallas Mavericks vs. Denver Nuggets – Recap [SI.com]
Bulls Rally From 16 Down to Beat Nets 92-90 [Yahoo! Sports]
Chicago Bulls vs. Brooklyn Nets – Recap [ESPN]
Tony Parker Leaves Game With Shin Injury, Popovich “Very Concerned” [ProBasketballTalk]
Thunder Top Spurs 100-88 in Key West Showdown [Yahoo! Sports]
Mavericks at Nuggets – Recap [NBA.com]
Shane Battier of Miami Heat Says NBA Will Have Female Player ‘In Our Lifetime’ [ESPN]
Proper Goodbye for NBA official Willard [OC Register]
Still No Maravich, But Rubio’s Shooting Improves [Hang Time Blog]
Adelman One Win Shy of 1,000 For His Career [NBA.com]
Byron Scott Looks To Be In A Lot Of Trouble In Cleveland [ProBasketballTalk]
Hornets Hope Anthony Davis Gains Weight On More Than Just New Orleans Specialty Pizza [Yahoo! Sports]
Most Anticipated Potential First-Round Series in NBA playoffs [The Point Forward]
Court Vision: Super-sub Kevin Martin Helps Make OKC a Convincing Contender [The Point Forward]
Danny Granger of Indiana Pacers Undergoes Knee Surgery [ESPN]
Likely ACL Tear May Sideline Nuggets Forward Danilo Gallinari for Season [Yahoo! Sports]
Grant Hill Says There’s a ‘Strong Chance’ He’ll Retire After This Season [ProBasketballTalk]
Shaq Enjoys One More Night of Fun as Jersey is Retired [OC Register]
Tristan Thompson of Cleveland Cavaliers Says Byron Scott Future Speculation Is ‘Bogus’ [ESPN]
Could Selfishness Cost Thunder? [ESPN Insider]
Could Brittney Griner Play in NBA? [5 on 5]
