Lakers Can’t Overlook Warriors

The Golden State Warriors aren’t a very good basketball team these days. A franchise that seems to be stuck in rebuild mode is again rebuilding on the fly. Mark Jackson’s team has lost five in a row, winning just twice in their last 14 contests.

You’d think the Lakers, with something to prove after being spanked by the Spurs, will roll out of the East Bay with an easy win. That wasn’t the case last time the Lake Show was in Oakland. Who can forget that ugly affair? Certainly not Andrew Bynum who endured a prolonged benching after an ill-advised three point attempt. That game was far too close for comfort as L.A. walked away with slim three point win.

One thing both the Lakers and Warriors have in common is getting trounced by San Antonio. The Spurs began their three road games in three nights odyssey by hammering Golden State. As well all know they followed that up with a laugher in Los Angeles.

For the Lakers each loss takes them one step closer to falling out of the top spot in the Pacific Division and the third playoff seed that comes with it. That might not seem like much until you realize that waiting for the Lakers would likely be the Memphis Grizzlies, perhaps the hottest team in the NBA at the moment.

About all Golden State has to play for these days is pride. That makes them very dangerous. For whatever reason the Lakers tend to play down to the Warriors in The Bay. That’s a luxury they can’t afford these days. Mike Brown will no doubt take a win any way he can get it but a convincing victory is what is badly needed. With or without Kobe Bryant tonight’s game is a contest the Lakers should handle. Otherwise they could be looking at a first round exit from the playoffs. The margin for error is that small.