Hornets 113, Grizzlies 111...
Presented By: 2010-01-21...
Grizzlies-Hornets, Box...
NBA Roundup: Friday's action...
ROSTER REPORT 2010-01-20...
NOTES, QUOTES 2010-01-20...
GETTING INSIDE 2010-01-20...
ROSTER REPORT 2010-01-19...
NOTES, QUOTES 2010-01-19...
GETTING INSIDE 2010-01-19...
NBA players union suspends age...
Grizzlies sign Hamed Haddadi...
Web viewing of NBA games may s...
Hawks match offer and re-sign ...
Grizzlies sign Josh Smith to o...
Steve
Steve
Steve
Steve
Steve
Steve
Steve
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
 
 
Add to Google
Add to My Yahoo!
Subscribe in NewsGator Online
Add to Windows Live
News » Grizzlies-Lakers Preview 2009-04-12


Grizzlies-Lakers Preview 2009-04-12


Grizzlies-Lakers Preview 2009-04-12
The Los Angeles Lakers are still chasing home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. In order to achieve that goal, they'll need to take advantage of their final two regular-season games at Staples Center - and get some help.

After a tough loss, Los Angeles looks for its first sweep of the Memphis Grizzlies in six years Sunday as it tries to improve its chances of finishing with the NBA's best record.

The Lakers (63-17) lost 106-98 at Portland on Friday, snapping a five-game winning streak and falling 1 1/2 games behind Cleveland for the best record in the league and home court throughout the playoffs. They have two games remaining while the Cavaliers have three.

Kobe Bryant scored 32 but missed a key 3-pointer, had a crucial turnover and missed another 3 all during the final minute.

"I don't think he had worked himself into a position of getting high quality shots," assistant coach Kurt Rambis said. "Kobe has hit those long shots in the past, but there was a time where I felt that we should gotten better shots, but I'm not blaming him for any of that."

Rambis coached the Lakers because Phil Jackson did not travel due to pain in his lower right leg. He is expected to rejoin the team for Sunday.

"It's very discouraging when you lose but I think our guys came out and played hard," Rambis said. "They played hard, we just weren't able to sustain it."

Even if they don't earn home-court advantage throughout, the Lakers will be plenty dangerous in the playoffs. They are one of the league's highest-scoring teams at 106.9 points per game, are 34-5 at home and have a healthy Andrew Bynum back.

Bynum has averaged 14.5 points in two games since returning from a torn MCL that cost him 32 contests.

The Lakers close the season Tuesday against Utah at home, where they've won four straight and 11 of their last 12. Los Angeles recorded a 99-89 victory over the Grizzlies (23-56) at Staples Center on March 3 behind 31 points from Bryant.

Memphis is coming off a 106-89 win over Phoenix on Friday - its fifth victory in seven games. The Grizzlies scored 26 points off 22 turnovers and had five players score in double figures, led by Rudy Gay and O.J. Mayo, who each had 20.

"It really feels as though we could play anybody," Gay said. "We might as well just go out and just play hard. We have nothing to lose. Our backs are not against the wall. We're just playing free."

With three games remaining, the Grizzlies are looking to the future and with Gay and Mayo leading the way, they're optimistic about next season. The duo is averaging 42.4 points in the last seven games.

"I think the guys are starting to see we can be really good (next season)," guard Mike Conley said. "With a draft pick or two, we'll be back ready to play."

Memphis closes the season with a road game against the Suns on Monday and a home contest Wednesday against Atlanta.

The Lakers are looking to sweep the season series for the first time since 2002-03.


Author: Fox Sports
Author's Website: http://www.foxsports.com
Added: April 12, 2009

 

 
Copyright © Grizzliesworld.com, Inc. All rights reserved 2012.