I wouldn't get your tank dreams up too high on this one.... We very well may blowout these guys. Even if Byron went with a lineup of Hill, Boozer, Black, Sacre and Davis for 3 quarters we probably still beat the 76ers. Im serious too. They are on a new level when it comes to the tank.
I really do think we play down to competition. I think we will win tonight, but wouldn't be shocked if we lost either.
I don't care what it takes, today is a must-lose game. The final 15 games will decide whether we keep the pick or lose it and the Lakers need to do whatever they can to protect it. Lose this game and they will find themselves in the 3rd spot with a shot at 2nd. The Sixers have been playing better lately, especially on the defensive end, so losing this game isn't out of the question. I don't have a good feeling about this one especially since the Sixers can both improve their pick and increase their chances of stealing ours if they lose. I wouldn't put it past them to do something shady like bench Noel to ensure the loss. Regardless though we need to find a way to get the job done.
Yeah, sucks to say but a loss here is just huge for us. Not sure it's going to happen though. Sizers are bad. We are too, but not sure if we are as bad as they are.
Team, as you play the game today, I want you to remember who you play for. How many times in our illustrious history have we had long streaks? 15 games, 16 games, 17 games. We believe in you. You can do this. Dig deep. Lose out.
After tonight, we could very well wrap up the #4 spot for all intensive purposes. If Orlando beats Denver and we lose to the Sixers (one of the most winnable games left on our schedule) we'd have to play .500 ball just to tie the Magic if they lost EVERY game from here on out. Losing tonight would be CLUTCH.
This is a huge game..we absolutely have to lose this game...I don't care what it takes...but I better not see Lin out there, or Boozer, or any vets playing over 30 minutes in this game. I'm going to be really PO'd if we win tonight.
The big questions that will be answered today: 1. Does Byron understand how important it is that we lose this game and keep the pick? and 2. If he does will he be too stubborn to attempt to make the loss happen? In other words, will he pull guys who are hot, keep the vets on extremely limited minutes, use less-than favorable rotations (like Black/Davis together to clog up spacing)? These things won't guarantee a loss but if Byron doesn't make the right moves tonight it will certainly hurt our chances. The same could be asked of the players, but I doubt they really care about our draft pick, at least the guys who don't already have contracts for next year anyway. Going to be a tough game, PHI has to keep it close. If the Lakers pull out to a big lead at any point it's probably over.
Philly is top 10 in the league in 3-point attempts; if they have that going, the chances increase they beat us.
Our top 4 seed is basically locked up at this point. Orlando isn't going to be a problem anymore with so few games remaining, and at the rate we're losing, the only question remains is will we finish 3rd or 4th in our pre-lottery standings.
Mike Bresnahan ✔ @Mike_Bresnahan Byron Scott will miss Lakers games Tuesday at OKC and Wednesday at Minnesota to attend funeral services for his mother.
Mike Bresnahan ✔ @Mike_Bresnahan Asst. Coach Paul Pressey will take Byron Scott's place as head coach while Scott attends the funeral of his mother.
