With 5 games remaining in the regular season, the Los Angeles Lakers need every win they can get, currently sitting a half-game game behind the Utah Jazz for the 8th and final spot in the Western Conference Playoff standings.
A must-win game takes place tonight at home against the New Orleans Hornets. Tip time is set for 10:30pm, EDT and can be seen live on NBA TV.
Preseason acquisitions of Dwight Howard and Steve Nash were supposed to make the Lakers (40-37) a dominant force in the West. A slow start however, led to the firing of coach Mike Brown, who was replaced by former Knicks and Suns head coach Mike D'Antoni. The coaching change did not produce immediate success, as L.A. still found themselves struggling to stay around .500.
One constant for the Lakers this season has been the play of future Hall of Fame guard Kobe Bryant. Among the league leaders in points per game with an even 27, Bryant has done his part to keep the Lakers in the hunt. Dwight Howard has provided his usual double-double numbers, averaging just over 12 boards per game and 16 points. Steve Nash adds the ability to distribute, dishing over 6 assists per contest. All the talent for L.A. however has not consistently added up to success in 2013.
With a 5-5 record over their last 10 games, the Lakers can't afford to slip up tonight against the lowly Hornets (27-50), a team L.A. has beaten 3 times this season.
It has not been a great season in New Orleans, but the Hornets do have some solid young talent. Guard Eric Gordon is averaging 16.5 points per game and Greivis Vasquez has established himself as one of the NBA's top distributors, averaging just under 10 assists per game while adding 14 points per clip. Former No. 1 overall pick Anthony Davis has added 13 points and 8 boards this season appearing in 62 contests, but in the always tough Western Conference, the trio has not been able to keep the Hornets near playoff contention. While the future is bright, Hornets fans will have to be patient for the good things that are certainly coming for this franchise.
When the Lakers and Hornets tip off tonight, the Utah Jazz will already have started their contest with the Oklahoma City Thunder. With L.A. trailing Utah by a half-game, you can be sure someone within the Lakers organization will be keeping tabs on the Jazz vs. Thunder game.
With little room for error, Tuesday night in Los Angeles will be a great indicator of how desperate the Lakers are for wins and if they're strong enough to play well down the stretch and possibly make a run in the playoffs.
Catch tonight's game between the Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Hornets live at 10:30pm, EDT on NBA TV.
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