Cavaliers Projected Starting Line-up:
PG: Mo Williams
SG: Manny Harris
SF: Christian Eyenga
PF: Antawn Jamison
C: J.J. Hickson
Key Reserves: Ramon Sessions, Alonzo Gee
Injuries: Daniel Gibson, Anderson Varajao, Joey Graham, Anthony Parker, Leon Powe
Tonight the Lakers hope to continue their four game winning streak when they face off against the injury riddled Cavs at Staples.
Frontcourt: The Cavs lost their most important frontcourt player for the season when Varajao tore a tendon in his foot. 6 foot 9 inch Hickson starts at center in place of Varajao. His 44% field goal percentage is dismal for a close range player and his counterpart Jamison is shooting a shade worse at 43.7%. In the name of inefficiency, Hickson and Jamison scored forty six points on forty six attempts against the Suns. Their post defense is abysmal – combined they average less than a block per game.
Backcourt: Running the wing, Williams is the lone veteran starter accompanied by two rookies Harris and Eyenga. A sympton of Lebron’s departure, Williams three point percentage is down from 42.9% to 27.1% this season. His assists have been up and he is the lone floor general for the Cavs. Eyenga has yet to prove himself, having recently been inserted at the small forward spot. Harris has played well in two starts and has shown a propensity for rebounding and treys. Session is the back-up point guard who can make an impact with his scoring.
Keys to Lakers Victory:
Based on ability, Gasol and Bynum should steamroll the Cavs bigmen. In tandem, the Laker guards should exploit the Cavs weak interior and turn the game into a lay-up drill. On the defensive end the Lakers need to avoid complacency and maintain intensity for 48 minutes. Posting 94 points per game, the Cavs are one of the lowest scoring teams in the league and it would be a shame if the Lakers gave up more than 90 tonight.
At 8-29, the Cavs own the worst record in the NBA and are down six players (five lost to injury and one on the trading block – Jamario Moon). The Lakers are defending champions. You do the math. The Lakers should win with ease tonight.
Lakers’ Injuries: Theo Ratliff, Matt Barnes
