Game Twenty-Seven Preview: Lakers (13-13) @ Warriors (14-13)

Nov 22, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Jodie Meeks (20) shoots against Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut (12) during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

UPDATE: Pau Gasol is out tonight. Chris Kaman will be filling in for him I. The starting lineup. Pay is out with an upper respiratory infection.

The Lakers looked good yesterday agains the Timberwolves. They played unselfish basketball the whole night, and Pau nearly posted a triple-double while leading the team in assists with 8. Gasol, Xavier Henry, and Nick Young all had over 20 points on the night. Young was tied with Kevin Love for the game high with 25. The Lakers did a good job of limiting the offense of the Timberwolves. The team shut down Ricky Rubio and Kevin Martin by closing out with a purpose.

The Lakers will have to get ready to do it again tonight as they face another team with more than a few scoring options. The Golden State Warriors and Lakers have met twice already this season, tied at 1-1. The Warriors are not playing up the their full potential this season, and are only a 1/2 game ahead of the Lakers in the Pacific Division and the Western Conference, (not exactly where they wanted to be given pre-season Championship aspirations).

Offseason addition Andre Iguodala only recently returned from a 12-game hiatus due to a hamstring injury. He has not meshed with the team as well as expected, and seems to be struggling to find his place of a team with so many weapons.

X-FACTOR OF THE NIGHT

Xavier Henry. X got to the rim at will against the Timberwolves, and has done so almost all season against point guards. He will most likely start again at PG tonight. Steph Curry has bee lights out this season, but X can force to him work on defense by driving to the basket. He can also frustrate Curry on defense with his size and length. If Xavier can keep his mistakes down and reduce his turnovers, he has to ability to completely neutralize the biggest weapon on the Warriors roster.

NUMBER OF THE NIGHT

19. The Lakers had 19 turnovers against the Timberwolves last night. For all the praise Pau is getting about his near triple-double, I should mention that he almost got a quadruple-double with 7 TO. Pau’s and the team’s turnover number needs to be lowered tonight because the Warriors are a fast, young team that is just waiting to take advantage of those mistakes.

PREDICTION

The Lakers play with so much confidence without Kobe on the floor. They already played most of the season without him, so it comes as no surprise that they are used to playing without him. They play with energy and passion, and after a big win at home, I think the Lakers are going to fly into Oakland and take down the Warriors, 115-108. Lets go Lake Show!