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Up Next: A Double Serving of West Coast Scrubbery

I don't know if you've heard, but there are NBA teams in California aside from the Lakers. It's easy enough to overlook them. Collectively the Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings are as much a source of California pride as O.J. Simpson or the state's credit rating. It's possible those three franchises exist solely to supply the Lakers with short road trips and easy wins. I'm told the league is one great conspiracy to ensure Laker championships, so I guess I'd be naïve to doubt this hypothesis.

Tonight and tomorrow, the Lakers get to snack on these tasty treats. First up in Oakland are the Golden State Warriors, followed by a visit to the state capital to face the Kings. A pair of easy wins, right? Right. I mean... probably? No, not really. I think we know by now that these are the circumstances under which the Lakers' attention starts to wander, which means one or both of these games will be closer than we'd like. The Kings especially tend to annoy by not actually rolling over when they're supposed to. I wish they'd stop that.

Star-divide

The Lakers are three games behind Cleveland and three games ahead of Denver. That's likely how they'll finish the regular season, trailing the Cavs for the NBA's best record but with home-court advantage against everyone else. A key, though, is snagging the easy victories that are left on the schedule. Orlando is playing some good ball, even with the loss to Charlotte yesterday, and sits only two games back of the Lake Show. Securing HCA over as many playoff opponents as possible means playing up to expectations against the league's downtrodden.

Catching Up With the Warriors

At this point in the season, the Warriors are a pseudo-D League team. That's not me being snarky. Half of their guys getting regular minutes were called up from the D League. These include starting center Anthony Tolliver, reserves C.J. Watson and Chris Hunter and their latest addition, forward Reggie Williams. I'm looking forward to seeing Williams play. He was brought up a couple weeks ago from the Sioux Falls Skyforce, much to the joy of our sister site, Ridiculous Upside. RU has a good profile of Williams here. He led the NCAA in scoring twice at Virginia Military Institute and has been shooting well so far in the NBA.

Last time the Lakers faced the Dubs was on February 16th on Staples. Neither Kobe Bryant nor Monta Ellis participated. The Lakers prevailed, 104 to 94, behind a career night from Shannon Brown, who had 27 points, 10 rebounds and a single turnover. They held the Warriors to 0.91 points per possession but struggled to put the game away thanks to some horrid shooting. Kobe will play tonight, as will Monta. Neither part of that sentence is necessarily good news for Golden State.

Nba_jam_open_thread_medium

Ellis has a famous name and a high per-game scoring average, but those points come at great cost. His True Shooting percentage is 51.9%, which is below average for league shooting guards. He turns the ball over on more than 12% of the possessions he uses, a rate that scrapes the bottom of SG rankings. Per 100 possessions, the Warriors have been 1.3 points better with him off the court.

Monta does, however, make it hard for the Lakers to hide Derek Fisher on defense. Kobe, in all likelihood, will be assigned to check Ellis, leaving Fish to "guard" Stephen Curry. That's obviously a disastrous matchup. To a young buck like Curry, Fish isn't much more than a traffic cone. Luckily, the Dubs have no inside post scorers to receive passes at the rim on the drive-and-dish. Tolliver is a Channing Frye type, and Hunter is a limited offensive player.

On D, the Warriors are an excrescence. They rank at or near the bottom of the league in four or five key defensive metrics. Andrew Bynum had a strong game (21 points on 75% True Shooting) the last time these teams played. The way he's been getting position and going to the rim lately, he could have a season-high in points tonight. I'll be irritated if he doesn't get at least 15 shot attempts.

Catching Up With the Kings

Here we have a slightly more daunting opponent. Unlike Golden State, the Kings appear to be exerting a little effort. At the trade deadline, they added Carl Landry, a guy that's often given the Lakers fits. Twice this year they've played the Lakers tight: first in the double-overtime game in Sacramento on December 26th, and then on January 1st, when this happened.


Heh. My favorite part was when the shot went in.

The Kings have been OK since the Landry trade. Not world-beaters, but OK. They've notched wins against Utah and Houston to go alongside losses to the Clips and Detroit. This is a team already playing for next year, or maybe even 2011-12. They've got good young assets they need to supplement, and they've got the cap space to do it.

For now it's very much the Tyreke Evans show. The soon-to-be Rookie of the Year had his first career triple-double on Wednesday against the Raptors. He didn't play when the Kings visited Staples in January. In the December contest, he had a poor game, shooting 9 for 23 with five turnovers. I suspect the Ron Artest will be asked to guard Reke, as the Kings don't have any other elite scoring wing. That matchup, should it come to pass, will be delish.

Like the Warriors, the Kings have some pretty significant shortcomings on D. They don't force turnovers, or get a hand in your face, or rebound especially well. They're... well, they're not good. Even having played the night before against a fast-paced Golden State team, there's no excuse for the Lakers not to take this one. Much better days await for this franchise, but until the youngsters mature a bit and free-agent reinforcements arrive, the Kings are still win-padding fodder for the only California team that matters.

Lakers

Warriors

Kings

RECORD

48-18 (2)

18-47 (28)

23-44 (25)

NET POINTS PER GAME

+6.0 (3)

-3.8 (23)

-4.2 (24)

PACE

93.4 (11)

99.9 (1)

94.1 (6)

OFFENSIVE RATING

108.8 (12)

107.2 (13)

105.8 (20)

Turnover Rate (Off.)

12.3% (3)

13.6% (15)

13.9% (22)

FTA/FGA (Off.)

0.28 (24)

0.30 (14)

0.30 (16)

Free-Throw %

77.0 (11)

77.4 (9)

72.5 (28)

3PT FGA/FGA (Off.)

0.22 (13)

0.23 (11)

0.21 (21)

3PT% (Off.)

34.2 (19)

37.2 (4)

35.2 (15)

Effective FG% (Off.)

49.7 (16)

51.0 (9)

49.3 (17)

True Shooting% (Off.)

53.9 (15)

55.3 (8)

53.1 (21)

Off Rebounding Rate

27.2% (12)

21.7% (29)

28.2% (4)

DEFENSIVE RATING

102.5 (2)

110.9 (29)

110.3 (25)

Turnover Rate (Def.)

13.7% (12)

15.3% (1)

12.6% (24)

FTA/FGA (Def.)

0.27 (2)

0.35 (26)

0.32 (23)

3PT FGA/FGA (Def.)

0.23 (21)

0.21 (8)

0.20 (5)

3PT% (Def.)

32.3 (1)

36.7 (29)

34.6 (11)

Effective FG% (Def.)

47.8 (4)

52.1 (30)

50.3 (20)

True Shooting% (Def.)

51.8 (2)

56.6 (30)

55.0 (21)

Def Rebounding Rate

74.4% (10)

68.8% (30)

72.7% (22)

Numbers in parentheses indicate league rank. All numbers courtesy of Basketball Reference and HoopData.

Follow Dex on Twitter here.

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Comments

Display:

first

I think that buzzer beater is the sweetest after the one against miami.. i actually cant get tired of waiting it.. Kobe is just clutch..

by didoucet on Mar 15, 2010 9:56 AM PDT reply actions  

That one was good simply due to the degree of difficulty

Compare that against the other ones and the Miami one takes the pie just because how ridiculous it was.

To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.

by Ben R on Mar 15, 2010 7:18 PM PDT up reply actions  

That it was actually necessary

should frighten Laker fans. You also witnessed the very last moment on the floor of Kenny Thomas’ NBA career as our ‘veteran’ inexplicably decided to switch and guard Sasha baby (whose NBA career is also drawing to a close). He never saw the floor again.

So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii

by lietothegirls on Mar 16, 2010 8:47 AM PDT up reply actions  

lol i almost got tickets to go see the warriors game tonight on ebay

i guess i’ll just have to wait until next year.

If you have a debate with a scholar, you can win. If you have a debate with an ignorant person, you will most certainly lose.

by akb24b on Mar 15, 2010 10:37 AM PDT reply actions  

LOL... Your signature should be the motto of all sports blogs.

Billy Mac: "Lamar, can you see yourself actually getting in the (boxing) ring"?
Lamar Odom: "No. My face is too pretty."

by pslakerfan on Mar 15, 2010 1:10 PM PDT up reply actions  

i always remember it whenever i'm arguing with another hater

saves me lots of time lol

If you have a debate with a scholar, you can win. If you have a debate with an ignorant person, you will most certainly lose.

by akb24b on Mar 15, 2010 1:23 PM PDT up reply actions  

never argue with an idiot

he will bring you down to his level, and beat you with experience

Stu Lantz – For not being Hot Rod Hundley. Grade: A Motherfucking Superplus +.

by gen!e on Mar 15, 2010 6:55 PM PDT up reply actions  

The last time you...

said that the lakers were going to win you jinxed us. This was the road trip that ended in 0-3.

by lakergirl on Mar 15, 2010 11:17 AM PDT reply actions  

You have my personal guarantee

that none of my predictions will be wrong ever again forever.

Twitter feed: @dexterfishmore

by DexterFishmore on Mar 15, 2010 2:24 PM PDT up reply actions  

You'd better hope the Lakers

go 3-0 since you changed your logo. We’re counting on you!

by SoCalGal on Mar 15, 2010 2:33 PM PDT up reply actions  

As long as you dont go predicting the Celtics will sweep the Magic and Cavs you’ll never be wrong…or does your invisibility only work for the lakers?

by lakergirl on Mar 15, 2010 3:29 PM PDT up reply actions  

I'm expecting a blow out tonight

and hopefully we’ll get it. I’m expecting a win tomorrow too but I can see the game being closer based on the second night of a back to back.

Lamar = Laker for Life...Go Pads...Go Bolts

by mrbarneydangles on Mar 15, 2010 12:06 PM PDT reply actions  

Last time they were in Golden State, the Lakers played beautifully

and Pau was just a monster.

The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist.

by Justin N. on Mar 15, 2010 1:44 PM PDT reply actions  

I’m expecting the Lakers to come out looking like they have this whole year. Meh.

Also, keep an eye on Morrrow. That dude gets pretty testy, i woudln’t be surprised to see this game get a little heated. (with Turiaf as the peacemaker)

by I Can't Feel My Face on Mar 15, 2010 2:07 PM PDT reply actions  

You know who would be awesome to have on the Lakers?

Andrew Bogut.

Someone please invent a wildly implausible trade scenario KTHXBAI.

Twitter feed: @dexterfishmore

by DexterFishmore on Mar 15, 2010 2:33 PM PDT reply actions  

Bogut is pretty injury-prone though

It’s not like Bynum with freak injuries; Bogut loses time due to the wear and tear.

Also, any possible trade is hard as hell with both Bogut and Bynum being BYC players, so that’s a no go.

To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.

by Ben R on Mar 15, 2010 2:58 PM PDT up reply actions  

Oh, off-season trade

Meh, Bynum for Bogut and Jennings is fine in my book.

To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.

by Ben R on Mar 15, 2010 2:59 PM PDT up reply actions  

Of course

I like Bogut, but Bynum’s upside is far better.

To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.

by Ben R on Mar 15, 2010 7:15 PM PDT up reply actions  

Interesting.

I’ll pass. I think Bynum’s peak would be superior to Bogut, even though Bogut is a little ahead of the learning curve right now.

by E-ROC on Mar 15, 2010 4:50 PM PDT up reply actions  

Who is watching Tim Legler on ESPN?

His prediction – Mavs beat the lakers in the west and go on to beat the Cavs. Mavs are going to beat the lakers because we are going to miss Trevor Ariza. Artest is inefficient offensively so Gasol and Kobe have to carry the team. Which of course they cant. Meanwhile Dirk doesnt have to carry the load anymore and the Mavs can even run their offense through Caron Butler if they so wished

He is smoking something

by lakergirl on Mar 15, 2010 6:28 PM PDT reply actions  

“He is smoking something”

It’s called Dirk’s nuts. It is much less potent in May and June.

Billy Mac: "Lamar, can you see yourself actually getting in the (boxing) ring"?
Lamar Odom: "No. My face is too pretty."

by pslakerfan on Mar 15, 2010 6:37 PM PDT up reply actions  

Legler's analysis has always been bad

Not particularly deep or insightful.

To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.

by Ben R on Mar 15, 2010 7:12 PM PDT up reply actions  

I barely watch espn halftime shows or pregame shows

My TV was accidentally stuck on the channel and thats how i heard is blabbing.

It was amusing cos he said it with a straight face too.

by lakergirl on Mar 15, 2010 7:46 PM PDT up reply actions  

Now there is a statement I can definitely believe in.

Jerry Reynolds had a great statement in his book about Legler and Greg Anthony: " As far as I can tell, Legler and Anthony are experts on being experts."

No mistakes in the tango, Donna. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....

I'm not sure Donald Sterling is a human being. He had to have been manufactured by someone, possibly David Stern, so that one team could solely just make profit for the NBA while doing nothing good for themselves. -- Aykis 16

by pookeyguru on Mar 15, 2010 8:14 PM PDT up reply actions  

It doesn't take an expert

to see that the Mavs have a legit shot. The additions of Butler who can guard Kobe and or Artest, and Haywood make tough matchups and they now have three skilled 7 footers.

Besides, these guys have to have things to talk about.

As for tonight? Obviously the kids will have to play thier best.

So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii

by lietothegirls on Mar 16, 2010 8:59 AM PDT up reply actions  

Who is watching Tim Legler on ESPN?

Nobody. And that’s the way it should be…

I can't tell if Phil Jackson is playing 3D chess and is 10 moves ahead of us or if he's just goddamn senile...

by Mike1204 on Mar 15, 2010 7:45 PM PDT up reply actions  

Yeah, I kinda forgot about the whole Knicks v. Pacers rivalry

The movie was great.

pslakerfan: "Well if you can get in (the Hall of Fame) by being a scorer who doesn't rebound or play defense.....
Then I guess you can get in by being a rebounder and defender who can’t score." referring to Dennis Rodman

by KobeisGod on Mar 15, 2010 6:50 PM PDT up reply actions  

FUCK

i wanted to see that and completely forgot…damn

"Just by the aura of D.J. Mbenga being there, the shot missed."

by shaqfor3 on Mar 15, 2010 6:55 PM PDT up reply actions  

Man, Detroit is awful

The list of bad moves this team has made in the past two years would have fired any GM not named Joe Dumars.

To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.

by Ben R on Mar 15, 2010 7:13 PM PDT reply actions  

Ah, Kwame Brown

You give me good memories of why we hated you.

To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.

by Ben R on Mar 15, 2010 7:19 PM PDT reply actions  

+1

"Just by the aura of D.J. Mbenga being there, the shot missed."

by shaqfor3 on Mar 15, 2010 10:53 PM PDT up reply actions  

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