The Lakers (55-23) are heading into the Twin Cities as they face the Minnesota Timberwolves (15-63).
The Lakers were without yet another starter as Bryant sat out last night against the Nuggets. They lost 98-96.
They didn’t shoot the ball well, with their guards shooting a combined 28 percent. Not to mention being without 2/5 of the starting lineup.
But a loss is a loss in the defending champs’ eyes.
And looking to avoid another 3-game losing streak, a huge opportunity to clinch the number one seed in the West with a win tonight.
Los Angeles is avergaing 110.8 points in the last 10 games against the Wolves.
If Kobe is to sit out, and presumably he should, the offense will go through Pau Gasol. The guards will look to shoot more efficiently than last game.
They’ll also have to contain Jonnie Flynn, who scored 19 points against the Lakers in the last meeting.
PROJECTED STARTERS:
LAKERS:
(C) P. Gasol
(PF) L. Odom
(SF) R. Artest
(SG) K. Bryant
(PG) D. Fisher
Injuries:
A. Bynum is out.
K. Bryant is questionable.
TIMBERWOLVES:
(C) D. Milicic
(PF) K. Love
(SF) R. Gomes
(SG) C. Brewer
(PG) J. Flynn
Injuries:
W. Ellington is questionable.