JrTips 3-26-09
Jrtips
LAKERS vs. PISTONS
Armed with a big lead early in their last game, the Los Angeles Lakers emptied their bench and put their depth on display.The injury-depleted Detroit Pistons haven't had many chances to do that lately.The Lakers look to take advantage of the Pistons' ongoing injury woes and win at The Palace for the first time in more than seven years Thursday night. The Los Angeles (56-14) have the best record in the Western Conference, and had a big lead early in their last game, emptying their bench and putting their depth on display. The Lakers won 107-89 at Oklahoma City, their sixth in seven games as Bryant and Gasol helped build a 17-point lead after one quarter and six Lakers scored in double figures. Every game is important for the Lakers who face the struggling Pistons (34-36), who have lost five of six dealing with injuries to three of their starters. Allen Iverson is sidelined indefinitely with a sore back, Richard Hamilton has a nagging groin injury that's forced him out of the last five and Rasheed Wallace has sat out eight in a row with a strained left calf. Iverson isn't expected back soon, and the statuses of Hamilton and Wallace for tonight's game is questionable. Tayshaun Prince and Will Bynum scored 20 points apiece, but Detroit couldn't keep up with Chicago in the second half of a 99-91 road loss. Prince is averaging 18.7 points but shooting 43.1 percent over his last nine games. The Pistons have won nine straight meetings at The Palace against the Lakers but with this depleted lineup due to injuries, there is no way the Pistons can score enough points to keep up wit the Lakers. Even if Hammilton and Wallace maracously come back tonight somehow, they won't be 100 percent healthy and their timing and stamina will be off. Lakers will take care of this one early again.TAKE LAKERS-7 1/2
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Originally Posted by shantystar
