Lakers vs Cavaliers Preview: The Match Up That Never Was
By Eric Yee
Thursday night represents the last chance to catch a Kobe Bryant led Lakers team against LeBron James‘ Cleveland Cavaliers
Somehow, when it comes to two of the truly premier players in the NBA, fate has a strange way of making sure that they meet in the playoffs one way or another.
From Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain, to Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, all the way to more recent times with Kevin Durant facing off against LeBron James, the one match up that fans were dying to see never actually played out: Kobe Bryant versus LeBron James, Black Mamba vs King James, Lakers vs Cavaliers.
Despite both teams having a shot to do just that on multiple occasions, the match made in heaven was just never meant to be.
Nowadays, the teams are at the opposite ends of the spectrum: one sits high atop the Eastern Conference standings and is gearing up for the playoffs, while the other is down in the ditches at the bottom of the Western Conference desperately hoping that they keep their draft pick.
That said, despite all of Kobe Bryant’s current ailments, it is almost certain that he lace up his shoes one last time against the man dead set on surpassing his legacy when the Cleveland Cavaliers come to town on Thursday night.
Cleveland Cavaliers at Los Angeles Lakers
More from Lake Show Life
- 3 Most likely positions the Lakers will use for the last roster spot
- Kings signing castoffs from Lakers’ nightmare seasons is strange
- ESPN predicts a better season for the Lakers even with Russell Westbrook
- 3 Reasons LeBron James passes Michael Jordan with another Lakers title
- No star has done so little with as much help as Lakers’ Russell Westbrook
Date: Thursday, March 10
Start Time: 7:30 p.m. PT
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Arena: STAPLES Center
TV Info: TWC Sportsnet
Live Stream: NBA League Pass
Radio: Here
Betting Odds
Point Spread: Cavaliers -9.5
Moneyline: Cavaliers -500, Lakers +400
O/U: 209
Injury Report
Los Angeles Lakers: Anthony Brown (foot)—Out, Kobe Bryant (shoulder)—Questionable, Lou Williams (hamstring)—Questionable
Cleveland Cavaliers: Timofey Mozgov (illness)–Questionable, Mo Williams (knee)–Out
Next: Lakers Officially Eliminated From Playoff Contention
Prediction
The Los Angeles Lakers shock the world and win three straight games, two against the teams at the top of their respective conferences. Kobe Bryant plays minimal minutes but the Los Angeles Lakers are led to victory once again by their young core of Jordan Clarkson, D’Angelo Russell and Julius Randle.
Expect at least one big dunk from rookie surprise, Larry Nance Jr. It’s official, the tank has derailed but at least the kids are having fun!