Preview Atlanta At Lakers Staples Center Feb 15th

February 15th, 2012

TICKETS: Hawks Vs Lakers Tickets are still available for tonights game, even at the last minute. You can purchase tickets at our office right next to the Staples Center.

THE STORY: The last time the Atlanta Hawks went on a five-game trip (Jan. 23-31), they finished 4-1 for their best record since going 5-0 in 1968-69, their inaugural season. Atlanta begins another five-game journey Tuesday against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers return home, where they are 11-2, after a 3-3 trip that ended with a 94-92 victory against the  Toronto Raptors. “We’ve just got to keep getting better little by little, and again, whether we won or lost (in Toronto), I thought we got a little better,” coach Mike Brown said.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, SportSouth (Hawks), FS West (Lakers)

ABOUT THE HAWKS (18-10): Maybe it’s a good thing the Hawks are getting out of town. They have lost four of five at home, and were trounced 107-87 by the Miami Heat  on Sunday. “You’re only as good as your last game,” power forward Josh Smith said. “And we were awful. So we have to take whatever people say about us and just use it as motivation.”  Center Jason Collins (strained left elbow) will be evaluated Wednesday in Los Angeles. He is expected to miss two weeks.

ABOUT THE LAKERS (16-12): The Lakers’ six-game trip was supposed to determine just where this team might be headed. Instead it raised doubt and was inconclusive. So it is not surprising that the Lakers worked out free agent guard Gilbert Arenas, a three-time All-Star, on Sunday. “We are a poor road team, and that is what we need to turn around,” said Kobe Bryant, who scored the winner at Toronto. “If we could figure out a way to win on the road, our record would be much, much better. We are a very good home team.”

BUZZER BEATERS:

1. Atlanta has lost five consecutive games in Los Angeles, last winning there on Feb. 15, 2006.

2. Hawks guard Joe Johnson needs 13 points to reach 10,000 for his career.

3. Los Angeles has not lost a season series to the Hawks since 1978-79, losing three of four games. Tuesday’s game will be their only meeting this season.

PREDICTION: Lakers 97, Hawks 91

The next Lakers Home Game is against the Phoenix Suns, we have Suns Vs Lakers Tickets starting at $30.0o.

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Atlanta Hawks vs Los Angeles Lakers Staples Center

February 14th, 2012

Atlanta Hawks vs. Los Angeles Lakers
NBA / Interconference
Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
Tuesday, February 14th, 2012. 10:30 PM EST

You can purchase Hawks Vs Lakers Tickets still prices start at $100.00 dollars a ticket.

Analysis of the Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks are an enigma of a team. Many analysts see their stacked roster and see a championship-caliber squad, yet their record over the last 2-3 years doesn’t show it. They’ve made the playoffs in these seasons but haven’t been able to go very deep, losing in the first or second round. This year might be different as the Hawks have started 18-10 and are in 4th place in the Eastern Conference, perhaps good enough to make an extended run come May.

Analysis of the Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers and their fans aren’t used to not being the best team in the Western Conference (let alone in Los Angeles), but this year is different. While still a good team (16-12, 5th in the Western Conference), the Lakers are clearly struggling with age issues and a lack of depth, only using 7 players to play more than 20 minutes each game. If they want another championship the Lakers will have to make a big trade (maybe going after C Dwight Howard) or simply hope that star SG Kobe Bryant has another amazing playoffs run left in his tank.

Key Players

Atlanta Hawks: Jeff Teague

Teague is one of the promising young point guards in the NBA, and he’ll have a favorable matchup against slumping PG Derek Fisher. If Teague improves on his 12-point, 4-assist average, perhaps going 15-8 instead, the Hawks will have a clear advantage at what many consider the most important position on the court.

Los Angeles Lakers: Kobe Bryant

While seemingly the obvious answer, Kobe will need to treat this game a bit differently if the Lakers want the W. He has a very good matchup against fellow SG Joe Johnson, an offense-first player. As well, Atlanta has relied upon their defense so far this season. Kobe must overcome that on Valentine’s Day and still put up around 30 points for the Lakers to win.

Key Statistics

3 point field goals:

The Hawks are shooting a gaudy 39% from beyond the arc this season, good for 3rd in the NBA. The Lakers are on the other end of the spectrum, only shooting 29% (the worst in the NBA). The Hawks will have to capitalize on this in order to take the victory in the Staples Center.

Prediction

The Hawks are a cold team right now, losing 4 of their last 6, while the Lakers are in the middle of a down year and aren’t exactly doing well as of later either, losing 3 of their last 5. The Lakers will rely upon the proven Kobe to get them out of the slump while the Hawks will try to play a more team-oriented offense to get the victory. I’ll take Kobe in that situation any day.

 Prediction= Los Angeles Lakers: 86 – Atlanta Hawks: 75

Up next, Suns Vs Lakers Tickets for the Staples Center on Feb 17th 2012.

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