Pau Gasol To Play Against Bobcats

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Slowly but surely the pieces are coming together for the Los Angeles Lakers and not a moment too soon. Tonight the Lake Show will have the services of Pau Gasol for the first time in eight games. Plagued by knee tendinitis the Spaniard has had to sit and watch while the Lakers stumbled to a 3-5 record in his absence.

The good news is getting one of the most skilled bigs in the game back before the holidays. The bad news is that prior to Pau’s absence Mike D’Antoni had no clue how to use his most versatile player. So there is still plenty of work to be done.

It’s also unknown how limited Gasol might be tonight. Of course the Lakers aren’t prepping for one of the league’s elite teams so there is no added pressure for Pau to play big minutes against the Charlotte Bobcats even though they’ve given the Lakers all they can handle in recent years.

With Gasol back all attention now shifts to Steve Nash who has set his sights on Christmas day for his return but there is talk of a possible Saturday debut against the Warriors.