NBA Preview: Lakers to dig a path through the Bucks in order to win
The Los Angeles Lakers have not been very lucky in their last two games, after they suffered back to back defeats against the Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns. The Lakers had an 8-0 start to the season and were rolling past every team that came in their way
until they confronted the Nuggets and Suns. Tonight however, the NBA’s top scoring team will try to get back on track as they come face to face with the Milwaukee Bucks, a team that has the league’s lowest scoring average of 89.4 points per game.
Under the Microscope
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the toughest teams in the NBA and have scored in excess of 100 points nine times in their last ten games. They were unfortunate to go down to Phoenix 121-116, having already suffered a 118-112 defeat to the Denver Nuggets.
The Lakers have the second highest three-point record in NBA history after they recently scored 22 three-pointers. After their loss against the Suns, Lakers guard Kobe Bryant said, "You hate losing, especially to start a road trip, but it is what it
is," He added, "They made big shots, a lot of them."
Bryant nearly pulled off his second triple double of the season against the Suns after he finished with 25 points, 14 assists and nine rebounds. Pau Gasol gave scored a team high 28 points and 17 rebounds, whereas Lamar Odom grabbed 11 rebounds and scored
22 points.
The Lakers (8-2) have an edge over the Bucks as they are scoring an NBA high 112.5 points per game. Bryant has an average 25.2 points per game and ranks third in the league, but it remains to be seen if he makes it past the Buck’s.
The Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are a tough challenge for the Lakers. They have only allowed a few players to score more than 30 points while playing against them. Boston Celtics’ Paul Pierce could manage 28-points, Chalotte Bobcats’ D.J. Augustin scored 26, and New
Orleans Hornet’s David West scored 25 while playing against the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks are sharp, as they haven’t yet allowed anyone to get to the 30-point mark in 11 games.
The Bucks (5-5) let Bryant score 12 points on a four of 21 shooting when they last played the Lakers in January. Despite tying down Bryant, the Bucks lost that game 95-77.
The Milwaukee Bucks put in an impressive performance when they played against the Golden State Warriors on Saturday, winning 79-72.
Bucks coach Scott Skiles said after the game, “We only scored 79 points, and you don't often win when you score 79. Our defense was solid, we rebounded the ball well. We got after them early and made them turn it over a little bit.”
John Salmons scored his season high of 26-points for the Bucks, who have won three straight games.
Head to head
Both teams have key players who have contributed wonderfully to each of their games with their brilliant performances.
The Lakers have Kobe Bryant who has an average of 25.2-points and 5.3 assists. While Pau Gasol averages 12.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. Ron Artest has an average 1.8 steals.
The Milwaukee Bucks, on the other hand, have Brandon Jennings who has an average 15.7-points and 6.3 assists. Andrew Bogut averages 6.3 assists and 2.3 blocks a game, while Carlos Delfino has an average of 1.6 steals.
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