Cavaliers Projected Starting Line-up:
PG: Mo Williams
SG: Anthony Parker
SF: Christian Eyenga
PF: Antawn Jamison
C: J.J. Hickson
Key Reserves: Ramon Sessions, Jamario Moon
Injuries: Anderson Varejao
The Lakers return home and hope to rebound from two road losses when they face the NBA’s worst team. We’ll see if the Lakers can channel their frustrations against the hapless Cavaliers.
Frontcourt: Statistically, the Cavs bigmen have picked up the pace since the loss of Varejao, but that didn’t do much to stem the 26 game losing streak of epic proportions. Hickson and Jamison are undersized and the will have trouble matching up against the likes of Bynum, Gasol, and Odom. Jamison has an three point shot in his arsenal so he can extend the defense. The young and athletic Hickson shouldn’t be taken too lightly since he goes hard every play and has managed a 20 rebound game this season.
Backcourt: Recently returning from injury, Williams is still brushing off the rust – he has notched 9 turnovers in two games. At the two, Parker’s role is to defend and knock down threes. Dwarfed by Artest, Eyenga fills out the Cav’s wing and has had trouble doing much of anything recently. Sessions is an efficient back-up point guard who takes care of the ball and shoots relatively well.
Keys to Laker Victory:
The key to victory will be feeding the post. The Lakers have too much size for the Cavs to handle. Bynum and Gasol should have their way in the paint like bullies in a schoolyard.
Despite the Lakers recent struggles, they are just too talented to lose to the Cavs. After a horrendous loss to the Bobcats, I don’t expect the Lakers to embarrass themselves two games in a row. You’ll remember the last time these two teams met, the Lakers unleashed a 55 point annihilation.
Laker Injuries: Matt Barnes, Theo Ratliff