So many questions that need answered. The Lakers need to know what's going on with Pau Gasol. Can they get him back to form? Is he injured?
The Hornets need to know if their Game 1 victory was more than just some aberration in a season where they have seen little to no success against the Lakers. The final question is whether either team will be able to accept the answers they are given.
In Game 2 we saw a battle. Low scoring, hard-nosed defense, bad offense and plenty of aggresion and will power. We should expect more of the same in Game 3. I said a couple days ago in the Game 2 recap that this felt more like an audition for WWE Tough Enough, and we can't expect it to get much better ... er worse. I guess it depends on how you look at it.
The Lakers will come out and continue to try and establish themselves as the best team in the league. Ron Artest, Kobe Bryant and Bynum will continue to bring the tenacity they have had for the last threee games and will also try to inspire Gasol, who hasn't decided if he wants to be a basketball player or not yet.
Both the Hornets and the Lakers know if the Lakers set the tone tonight and dominate this game, the series is all but over. The Hornets need this win and will do everything possible to get it. Attack the pick n' roll, try to isolate Paul at the top of the key and hope Aaron Gray has another big night while hoping Gasol is having another White Swan night.
Both teams lack any major injuries.
As interesting as one might try to make this game, the Lakers are just too deep. April 20's game was proof of that. The score of the game does not reflect how the game was actually played. The Hornets gained a lot of points in the final two minutes due to some shaky officiating that made what was almost a 20 -point deficit, 10 points.
The Hornets proved in the first two games they have the attitude and gumption to play with the two-time defending world champions. What they don't have is the depth and talent to finish the job. If Kobe continues to play under his Team USA persona and Gasol can bring it home, the Lakers will cruise through this game with ease and will be looking to April 24 by the third quarter.
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