Lakers notebook
Lakers don't expect another rout over Clippers
By Elliott Teaford, Staff Writer
Article Last Updated: 11/04/2008 10:32:55 PM PST
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The Lakers
don't expect to thump the Clippers by 38points tonight the way they did
last week. They also don't expect to toy with their Staples Center
rivals after building an enormous second-half lead.
They do expect more fire from the Clippers, however.
Tonight's
game against the Clippers is the only one this week for the Lakers, who
began the season with three eye-catching victories last week only to
find themselves back in training-camp mode come Monday morning.
This game would appear to be a light workout before three
more days of practice leading into a more arduous work week starting
Sunday with a home game against Houston. After that, the Lakers have
road games Tuesday at Dallas and Wednesday at New Orleans, then a home
date against Detroit on Nov. 14.
After all, the Clippers are 0-4, but the Rockets (3-0), Mavericks (1-2), Hornets (3-0) and Pistons (3-0) were a combined 10-2 heading into Tuesday's games.
The
Clippers are trying to mesh after an offseason roster overhaul, while
at the same time welcoming injured players Marcus Camby and Baron Davis
into the fold.
So, as tempting as it might be, the Lakers were determined
to avoid overlooking the Clippers instead of focusing their attention
on next week's opponents. They said all the right things, and even
sounded sincere when talking about the Clippers.
"You always expect a team to come back with a better game plan, better execution," Kobe Bryant said
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of
the rematch with the Clippers. "Obviously, they made some additions to
their ballclub, but they've been hurt. We're fortunate to catch them
early in the season, before they can get their rhythm going."
Coach Phil Jackson warned against expecting a repeat of the
38-point humiliation the Lakers served the Clippers in their season
opener last Wednesday. He said he believes winning a sixth in a row
over the Clippers won't be that easy.
"We expect them to play with renewed vigor (tonight)
because they're looking for that first win," he said. "This team has
some talent. This will be a different game."
Whether they win and improve to 4-0 for the first time
since 2003-04 - when they won their first five games of the season - or
lose and fall to 3-1, the Lakers will return to the practice court to
prepare for the first stretch of difficult opponents.