Grizzlies vs Lakers NBA Handicapping
Can this marriage be saved?
Can Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard actually pull things together over the final two weeks to get the Lakers into the playoffs and make things interesting for either the Spurs or Thunder in the first round?
Signs are pointing toward the affirmative.
Memphis Grizzlies (51-24) at Los Angeles Lakers (39-36)
Staples Center, Los Angeles
10:30 p.m. EST
Bryant has shaken off the effects of that sprained ankle and has been playing huge minutes in the Lakers’ push to hold off Utah for the 8th and final Western Conferece playoff slot. Mike D’Antoni kept KB on the court for all but 23 seconds in a win over Sacramento, and Bryant logged more than 47 in Tuesday’s victory over Dallas.
And Howard has stopped goofing off and now has double-digits in rebounds 21 straight games – and 14 consecutive double-doubles.
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Has the drama which dominated the Lakers’ season through February finally ended at the Staples Center? Has LA finally figured out that the way to win games is to actually play hard and put aside petty jealousies?
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Looks like it.
But even if the Lakers have their waste product together for the final push, there are no guarantees. Bryant points out that while the remainder of the schedule includes 6 of the final 7 at the Staples Center, there are some toughies in there – including tonight’s game against a Memphis Grizzlies club that has its own fight on its hands and is trying to finish strong enough to steal the No. 3 playoff seed in the Western Conference.
Besides the Grizzlies, LA has home games against the Clippers, Hornets, Warriors, Spurs and Rockets. Utah’s schedule is a bit softer, but the Jazz (a half-game behind the Lakers) have a 3-3 home/road split, starting with the Hornets tonight in Salt Lake City.
“We have a tougher schedule but I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Bryant said when asked about Jazz. “If you want to get to the playoffs and expect to make some noise, you have to beat playoff teams.”
And that would start tonight against the Grizzlies in a game which could turn on the play of point guards Steve Nash and Mike Conley.
Nash is expected to return after missing one game with a hamstring issue, and will be put to the test.
