FanHouse's NBA Guide gives you a daily look at all the games that matter ... and some that don't. HEADLINER
Cleveland at L. A. Lakers, 10:30 PM ET, TNT
We've been hyped for this game for about a week now, and it's finally here. LeBron James versus Kobe Bryant is always something special, and with each player being a member of one of the top teams in the league, tonight's matchup has a little more on the line than just personal bragging rights.
The Cavs come in with the league's best record at 31-7, and the Lakers come in at 31-8, percentage points behind the Orlando Magic for second best in all the land. As soon as the Lakers came across a rough patch in their schedule however, the results were less than dominant.
L.A. is riding a two-game losing streak, thanks to close losses in San Antonio and at home against Orlando. With a couple of days off to get ready for LeBron -- and with the Cavs dealing with injuries to Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Delonte West -- this game's more important to the Lakers than it is to the Cavs. But Cleveland's won five straight over L.A. in the series, and injuries or not, you can be sure LeBron isn't going to give that up without a fight.
Join us right here for all the action, as we'll be live blogging this one beginning a little before 7:30 PM ET.
UNDERCARD
Phoenix at Boston, 8:00 PM ET, TNT
This would be a headliner on any other night, as it's an intriguing matchup between one of the more enigmatic teams in the league and the defending champs. The Suns have been up and down most of the season, but still have a star-studded group that's capable of putting it all together on any given night.
Meanwhile, the Celtics are on a four game winning streak, and seem to have settled down after going through a funk where they won just two of nine games. Kendrick Perkins is out, which may be good news for the reuvenated Shaquille O'Neal. Even though Shaq's numbers are down playing the second game of a back-to-back, he'll have an extra half day to recover since the Suns played a nooner Sunday in Toronto.
Oh, yeah, we'll be live blogging this one too, so stop by a little before 8 PM ET for all the action.
Denver at Houston, 2:00 PM ET, NBATV
No Tracy McGrady and no Ron Artest have been no problem so far for the Houston Rockets. The team has played well in the absence of two of their starters, losing at the end to the Lakers and then beating a better-than-expected Miami Heat squad. Of course, Denver's been playing pretty well themselves.
The Nuggets have been without Carmelo Anthony, but had a close win over Dallas and a controversial one over the Suns before falling to a red-hot Magic team. They'll need everyone to contribute to have a chance to take down the Rockets, and that might be tough: Chauncey Billups was able to get only eight points the last time the Nuggets came to Houston.
Chicago at New York, 1:00 PM ET
Dallas at Philadelphia, 1:00PM ET
Toronto at Atlanta, 2:00PM ET
San Antonio at Charlotte, 2:00PM ET
Indiana at New Orleans, 3:30PM ET
Minnesota at L.A. Clippers, 3:30PM ET
Washington at Golden State, 4:00PM ET
Detroit at Memphis, 5:30PM ET, TNT
Milwaukee at Portland, 10:00PM ET
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-20-2009 @ 7:41AM
FRANK said...
Lebron is quicker, stronger and younger
then Kobe and that is a fact;
Kobe has a better supporting cast in
Gasol, the experience of Fisher ,Bynum
and Ariza 2 very solid young players
in progress plus one of the better coaches of our era, plus, plus.
Lebron has big Z that right now is injured so
is Delonte West ?? plus the coach that went to
the finals and got swept by the Spurs but he still the coach ????plus grandpa Wallace ???
The fact is that Lebron doesn't have a supporting
cast like Kobe have and that is a fact.
Reply