****Lakers vs. Mavericks 11/24/12 Game Thread****

murasakiANDgold · Star Player Joined: 17 Apr 2012 Posts: 3009

Lakers @ Dallas
Saturday, November 24, 2012

Game time
5:30pm PT 8:30pm ET

Current Standings
Lakers 3rd Pacific
6-7
0-4 on Road

Mavericks 3rd Southwest
7-6
5-2 at Home

Online Streams
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Lakers-Mavericks Preview

The Los Angeles Lakers' early struggles have been well-documented, and now they're on the verge of reaching another dubious mark.

They'll hope to avoid their worst road start in 19 years Saturday night against the Dallas Mavericks, who are looking to build off one of their more notable victories of the season.

The offseason acquisitions of Dwight Howard and Steve Nash couldn't help avoid Los Angeles' 1-4 start, especially with Nash missing the last 11 games with a bruised left shin.

That rough stretch cost former coach Mike Brown his job, but it appeared the Lakers had rebounded in winning five of their next six games, including a victory over Brooklyn on Tuesday in Mike D'Antoni's debut.

As it continues to adjust to D'Antoni's run-and-gun offense, though, Los Angeles fell 113-97 at woeful Sacramento the following night before a 106-98 defeat at Memphis on Friday.

Kobe Bryant shot only 7 of 23 but scored a game-high 30 points for the Lakers (6-7), who are trying to avoid their first 0-5 road start on the road since dropping their first six away from home in 1993.

"Offense is all about rhythm," D'Antoni said. "We had some sometimes, but we have got to maintain the rhythm of the game and we are not there yet."

Pau Gasol finished with six points and Howard attempted just seven shots and had seven points for the second straight game, hitting two field goals in each.

The Lakers are 0-5 when Gasol scores 10 or fewer points. He didn't play in the fourth quarter with D'Antoni looking to play with a quicker lineup.

"That's not my decision, my call. I'm a professional. When my number is called, I'm out there," Gasol said. "That is something that I don't think has happened to me."

The Mavericks figured they'd struggle without Dirk Nowitzki for the first part of the season, but offseason additions O.J. Mayo and Darren Collison have helped make up for his lost production.

Since getting off to a 4-1 start, Dallas (7-6) hasn't played its best ball with Nowitzki recovering from knee surgery. It knocked off New York 114-111 on Wednesday, though, behind 27 points from Mayo.

"Big confidence boost," Mayo said.

The Mavericks had lost two of three at home before Wednesday's win.

"It gives us confidence," reserve Dahntay Jones said. "We needed to get a good win at home to get our team at a high, so I think we're in a good spot to get a win on Saturday."

Vince Carter added 25 points off the bench and Collison finished with 19 and seven assists.

Mayo is averaging a team-best 22.2 points while Collison has been solid running the point, contributing 13.8 points and 6.5 assists per game.

"First and foremost, it was a collective effort," Carter said. "This was one of (Collison's) best games since the very beginning of the season. He's very hard on himself. He wants to win, and that's what I like about him."

Collison hit 8 of 12 shots and scored 17 points to lead six players in double figures in Dallas' 99-91 road victory over Los Angeles in both teams' season opener Oct. 30.

Gasol scored a game-high 23 points, Bryant had 22 and Howard finished with 19 in that contest, but Dallas ended a four-game skid in the series.

GO LAKERS!

Lakers95 · Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2012 2:10 pm Post subject:

I have a much better feeling about this game than last night's game. Last night's game was much closer than I expected too. I think Lakers take this one, hopefully.

iggypop123 · Star Player Joined: 31 May 2008 Posts: 5402

they will force feed gasol. He will either start 5 for 6 or 0 for 5. No in between . The result should tell us about his heart
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Kobe "I mean Phil's been here, and -- to be honest with you -- we might have, in all the years I've been with Phil, (had) maybe three defensive drills the entire time"

56 · Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2012 2:13 pm Post subject:

Talby · Star Player Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 3595

I think Kobe just carries us in this one and has an amazing 2nd half to pretty much kill them in the 3rd

ViolaMB · Star Player Joined: 16 Mar 2009 Posts: 3334

PHILosophize · Franchise Player Joined: 05 Nov 2012 Posts: 10758

Yeah I'm optimistic about this game too...We'll bring the effort since we got embarrassed by them in our first game, and they still dont' have Dirk. Hopefully Kobe will shoot the ball better and we'll pound them inside with Dwight

kobemania3-16 · Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2012 2:29 pm Post subject:

at least try

murasakiANDgold · Star Player Joined: 17 Apr 2012 Posts: 3009

110-99
Lakers win

chickensandwich · Star Player Joined: 21 Dec 2010 Posts: 2802

angrypuppy · Retired Number Joined: 13 Apr 2001 Posts: 32754

Vegas favoring the Lakers at 1.5 points.

defense · Retired Number Joined: 12 Jan 2010 Posts: 39451

lose by 20

antijinx

tj24 · Starting Rotation Joined: 28 May 2010 Posts: 651

Just win.

K2 · Franchise Player Joined: 25 Dec 2011 Posts: 23529

K2 · Franchise Player Joined: 25 Dec 2011 Posts: 23529

K2 · Franchise Player Joined: 25 Dec 2011 Posts: 23529

In response to the extra rest he got last night, Pau Gasol should either have the game of his life or completely turn into a $19million speedbump. I don't expect anything in the middle.

tashnag_01 · Starting Rotation Joined: 30 Jan 2011 Posts: 731

Kobe is going to have 10 shot attempts while he sets everyone up for the game

ThreePointBomber · Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2012 3:03 pm Post subject:

6-8
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The most important shot in basketball.

Chronicle · Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2012 3:30 pm Post subject:

lets go lakers lets go

32 · Retired Number Joined: 04 Nov 2009 Posts: 73063

Mamba/Superman · Starting Rotation Joined: 03 Nov 2012 Posts: 835

Gasol will have a great game,I hope so for his sake.

8>24 · Star Player Joined: 25 Jul 2012 Posts: 2707

Without knowing the spread, Lakers will cover and win out. Should be a fun game.

greenfrog · Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2012 4:41 pm Post subject:

BROW GOAT 23 · Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2012 4:42 pm Post subject:

If we find a way to get the ball to Howard and play team ball we win tonight. If we keep playing 1 vs 5 it will be another loss.
PLAY TEAM BALL!!!!!
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO LAKERS!!!!
IT'S WINNING TIME!!!!!!!

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LakersMDGurl · Franchise Player Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Posts: 18015

Losing is no joke.. i got league pass this season... However, I for one will glady go through this phase now than later...
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