Game Thread: Lakers/Bucks

08/09 Series:

Dec. 7: @Lakers 105 Bucks 92

18.  The Bucks' starters were plain awful.  They were outscored 76-18 and shot 8/28 (28.6%) from the field, with Redd and Jefferson combining for just five points in 30 minutes.  Not surprisingly, Scott Skiles had seen enough early in the third quarter and benched them the rest of the game, which explains why Mbah a Moute, Alexander and Sessions all got more burn than any of the starters.

Injuries

Lakers: Andrew Bynum (torn MCL) is out.

Bucks: Michael Redd (torn ACL and MCL) and Andrew Bogut (stress fracture in lower back) are out. 

Three Points

• No April foolin' around. Okay, it's just a one-game win streak, but this is better than last year. In 2008, Milwaukee entered April having lost 11 of 12. They did start April 2-0 but then dropped the final eight games of the season. Milwaukee only has seven chances to lose this time. Meanwhile, the Lakers have fallen twice in a row including a ten-point loss to the Bobcats last night. Can't make up stuff like that.
  
• Best against Bucks? The Bucks beat the defending champion Celtics at the BC in March, so what better way to start April than by beating the West's best? Last season's runners-up have the top record in the Western Conference already sewn up, but they still have home court advantage to play for. The Lakers trail the Cavs by two games for the best overall mark in the NBA. Catching Cleveland is impossible when the Cavs don't lose (like duing their past 13 games), but the Lakers are the only team to win in Cleveland this season, so they might fare just fine if they square off in the Finals. In any event, can Kobe top LeBron's performance at the BC from earlier this year? Do tune in.
  
• On the rebound. This probably wouldn't happen with Andrew Bogut active: Seven different leading rebounders in the last seven games for the Bucks (Bogans, Sessions, Villanueva, Mbah a Moute, Elson, Gadzuric, Jefferson). Obviously it's Charlie Bell's turn. Same leading-assist guy (Sessions) in each of the seven games, as the point guard is hopefully warming up for another hot April.
  

Coverage

Forum Blue and Gold / L.A. Times