Odom’s Return Also An Important Bounce-Back Game

Lakers (2-2) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (0-3)

November 9, 2007, 10:30 PM Eastern (7:30 PM Pacific)

Staples Center- Los Angeles, CA

Following two outstanding wins, the Lakers were bought back down to earth on Tuesday night by the New Orleans Hornets, 188-104. The Hornets were led by the red-hot Peja Stojakovic (10-13 3-pt) and brilliant playmaking of Chris Paul, who notched 21 assists. Tonight’s game at home against the winless Minnesota Timberwolves is vitsl on two fronts- first, tonight’s game marks the return of one of the Lakers’ top playmakers, Lamar Odom, who has been nursing a shoulder injury. Also, tonight’s games provides an excellent opportunity for the Lakers to get back on the winning track after stumbling against the Hornets. This is particularly important considering the brutal schedule that Kobe and Co. will be facing over the next ten days, when they will travel to San Antonio and Houston before returning home to face the Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls.

Lakers’ Notes

Expect the Lakers to be ready for this game as they try to erase the memory of Tuesday night’s disappointing loss. Odom’s return will provide an extra spark for the team, as well as another top-notch talent on the floor. The Lakers will also be looking for continued strong play from their young support cast- Andrew Bynum, Jordan Farmar and Ronny Turiaf in particular. With the team not scheduled to play again until Tuesday night in San Antonio, tonight’s game is an excellent opportunity to go all-out for a win and to reintegrate Lamar Odom into the squad. While an easy, double-figure win should be in order, expect Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher to log some extra minutes on the floor with Odom, as the club looks to prepare for its upcoming Texas trip.

Kwame Brown, who is bothered by a sore right heel, will miss his second straight game on Friday night. Expect him to return against the Spurs, but sitting out the last two games will end up giving him nine days rest. Also, Luke Walton, who missed practice this week with a sore hamstring, will likely move to the bench with the return of Lamar Odom. As a result, the Lakers’ starting lineup should look like this: Kobe and Derek Fisher in the backcourt, Odom and Ronnie Turiaf at forward and Andrew Bynum in middle (it’s about time!).

Timberwolves’ Notes

The Minnesota Timberwolves are a team in transition, and while no one is expecting a lot from this young team in 2007-08 (and maybe rightfully so, as they’ve started 0-3), the Wolves have been competitive in each of their three losses, havng yet to lose a game by double digits. Also, Al Jefferson is an absolute monster in the paint. Big Al is well on his way to being one of the best big men in the NBA, averaging 19 points and 11.7 rebounds unfortunately for the Wolves, they don’t have many other major offensive threats on the roster, although their balanced attack does feature FIVE other double-figure scorers (Rashad McCants, Greg Buckner, Ryan Gomes, Theo Ratliff and Craig Smith). If the Timberwolves are going to really challenge the Lakers, it is going to have to be in the paint, where Jefferson, Ratliff and Smith should be able to get some work done against the Lakers’ front line.

What should we look for tonight?

If the Lakers are properly motivated for this game, it really shouldn’t be close. Minnesota is an extremely young that is just beginning to rebuild and should not be able to push the Lakers too hard. Also, the return of Lamar Odom, along with Tuesday night’s loss, should provide more than enough motivation to come out and really take care of business tonight. Look for the Lakers to cruise to a double-digit win in this one.