The Los Angeles Lakers host the San Antonio Spurs tonight, the second game of the season series. Back on April 11th, the Lakers smacked the Spurs, 98-84, in a game where Andrew Bynum grabbed 30 rebounds and eventually earned himself Player of the Week honors, with total week averages at 21.8 points, 16.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 blocks. MVP, anyone? No? Gotcha.
Coach Gregg Popovich, after last week's game, said:
They beat us to death. There's nothing else you can say about it. They rebounded well and were physical. It was a really poor performance execution wise and competitiveness wise.
The Lakers will try and duplicate the result again tonight, and will do so without Kobe Bryant (again). Via Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter):
Kobe shin update: he did some light shooting today, but did not do any running. He remains officially listed as "day to day."
Also, via the LA Times:
Kobe Bryant did some shooting Monday at the team’s training facility in El Segundo but is not expected to play Tuesday at against San Antonio, according to an NBA official who was not authorized to speak publicly.It would be the sixth game Bryant has missed because of a sore left shin. The Lakers are 4-1 in his absence. They beat the Spurs last week, 98-84, in San Antonio and Andrew Bynum had 30 rebounds and Metta World Peace had 26 points in that win.
The Lakers had the day off yesterday, and the Spurs played last night but Coach Pop rested his Big3. Without Kobe Bryant, it will be up to the Twin Towers to step up and get solid contributions from everyone for a chance at a win and to maintain 3rd seed in the West.
Last night, the Clippers smacked the Thunder. Five. Games. Left.