The Latest on the Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers finished their seven-game road trip with a 6-1 record. Here is a quarter-by-quarter recap of the Lakers’ victory against the Toronto Raptors. [LakersNation]
The Latest on the NBA
Boston Celtics’ Center Shaquille O’Neal returned today in the Celtics game vs. the Pacers. [ESPN.com Boston]
Reports say the Phoenix Suns are looking to trade Josh Childress. [Pro Basketball Talk]
NBA Results/Previews for December 19th, 2010
Boston Celtics-99 (22-4) Indiana Pacers-88 (12-14) -F
New Jersey Nets- 89 (8-20) Atlanta Hawks-82 (17-12) -F
Los Angeles Lakers-120 (21-7) Toronto Raptors-110 (10-18) -F
New Orleans Hornets at Detroit Pistons- 6:00 P.M. EST/ 3:00 P.M. PST- NBA League Pass
Hornets (16-10) – Pistons (8-19)
The New Orleans Hornets will travel to the Motor City to play the struggling Detroit Pistons. The Hornets are the better team in the match-up, and their talent will overwhelm the Pistons.
Chris Paul must take advantage of the Pistons’ poor defense, and getting to the paint must be a priority. If the Hornets dictate the pace of the game, they will have no problem coming out victorious.
Prediction: Hornets win
Houston Rockets at Sacramento Kings- 6:00 P.M. EST/ 3:00 P.M. PST- NBA League Pass
Rockets (11-15) – Kings (5-19)
Both of these teams are in the bottom half of the Western Conference, and their playoff chances are long gone. The Rockets may also be without Yao Ming for the rest of the season due to an injury.
The Kings have nice young talent, but they have not seen much success this season. Kevin Martin will return to his former team, so expect to see emotions flaring.
Prediction: Rockets win
Phoenix Suns at Oklahoma City Thunder-NBA TV- 7:00 P.M. EST/ 4:00 P.M. PST
Suns (12-13) – Thunder (19-8)
The Phoenix Suns pulled a major trade on Saturday, and they will most likely have their new players dressed up today. Vince Carter is their prize possesion, and he will join Steve Nash for a new era in Suns’ basketball.
The Thunder are currently on a five-game winning streak, and they hope the home-crowd will work to their advantage. The Thunder are playing great basketball, and expect another big game from Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant.
Prediction: Thunder Win