It's a different Hornets team without Chris Paul, no question. For one thing, GM/coach Jeff Bower is giving much more burn to a rookie backcourt of Darren Collison and Marcus Thornton than Byron Scott ever did. Neither makes up for CP3, but it's unquestionably a more vibrant combination than Browns Bobby and Devin. But as it was the first time these teams met, New Orleans will suffer up front, particularly now that the Lakers again have Pau Gasol at their disposal. Emeka Okafor is an undersized center, one that Andrew Bynum can handle, and the Lakers have the length to bother David West on both ends.

Even with Gasol in the lineup, Phil Jackson expects Kobe Bryant to do plenty of damage in the post tonight, just as he did a few weeks back. "He'll get there by hook or by crook," PJ said with a smile. Frankly, as long as the ball gets down there, I don't really care who takes the shots. The easiest way for the Lakers to keep this game competitive would be to allow the Hornets to get out and run, scoring in transition.

Shots near the hoop help keep that from happening.

Chat box below. 

A few reminders: First, hang out after the game for the postgame chat. It'll start about 10 minutes after the final buzzer, and is more Q and A than typical in-game free for all. Not every comment will go through. The goal is for it to actually be readable for those who aren't able to participate. Second, if you haven't already (and are so inclined), remember to start following us now at latimesKbros on the Twitter.

Obviously tonight's tussle is as about as anticipated a game as can be had so early in the season. The Nuggets are fired up, to say the least. For a little more pregame reading, check out game previews at Forum Blue and Gold and Pickaxe and Roll. Should be a great game. Kobe has been, well, Kobe, and on the odd chance you've totally stopped paying attention to the NBA this year and happened to miss it, Carmelo Anthony has been a very bad man.

Chat box below.

BK

It was against the Hornets, fully in "get our coach fired" mode, but it was hard not to be impressed by the Suns Wednesday night, just as it's been hard not to be impressed by them all year. Not just because of their obvious and impressive offensive prowess, but the hustle. The Suns were hitting the offensive glass hard (at one point in the first half, Phoenix had 10 ORB on only 16 misses) getting every loose ball, and at least trying to play aggressively on defense. I always felt Phoenix was an underrated defensive team back in the D'Antoni era, and they seem to be making an effort at it under Alvin Gentry. 

The Lakers will have to show not only attentiveness defending their basket, but serious discipline offensively. At practice Wednesday afternoon, Kobe (Bryant) acknowledged the Megan Fox-in-this-photo seductiveness of their style of ball, and it's important for the Lakers to be smart in how and when they choose to push and avoid getting caught up in a style that favors the Suns. Shot selection is always key against a running team. 

Chat box below.

BK

Reminder: The chat box is below the jump!

Reflective of my boundless dedication to the purple and gold, I watched Thursday's Lakers-Jazz Game 3 again, hoping a second viewing would produce a win.  As it turns out, the good guys still lose, but I did notice a few things I'll be keeping an eye on during tonight's rematch in SLC.

• Our blogging buddy Pau Gasol may have racked 20 points, but they were hardly of the "butter" variety.  El Spaniard and el rim weren't always simpatico.  From my vantage point, he appeared to be rushing shots, particularly early on.  I don't know if this was an attempt to get the ball up before Carlos Boozer's defense could bug him or the Laker power forward was simply too amped, but either way, I'm hoping Gasol takes his time. 
• Kobe Bryant made a conscious decision to sag way the hell off Ronnie Brewer and dare him to take jumpers.  I'm pretty sure I saw Mamba in the fourth row talking on a cell as RB launched a trey.  It's happened all three games and I doubt much changes tonight, but Bryant needs to remember there's a difference between "sagging" and "ignoring."  I counted at least two instances where Kobe completely lost track of him and both times, it led to very easy back door cuts and points for Brewer.  
• I could do with fewer drives to the cup from Derek Fisher.

They're gonna get it on, because they don't get along. And because the schedule dictates that they play.  But more because they don't get along. 

Chat box below.

BK

Odds are Vlad Radmanovic will get more opportunities to punish his old team than Adam Morrison and Shannon Brown will get to hurt their former employers.  Let's hope the DNP-CD Party reigns triumphant!  For whatever reason, this Bobcats crew remains a steady fly in the ointment. 

The jabber box is below.

AK

When the Lakers met the Hawks back on February 17th at Staples, it was a romp for the home team.  The Lakers were up by 27 thirty seconds into the fourth, and 26 with 4:24 to go before a meaningless late run from the Hawks set the final margin at Lakers +13.  Pau Gasol was outstanding (12/13/10, zero turnovers), as was Lamar Odom (15 points, 20 boards), and as we mentioned in the postgame report, LA thrashed Atlanta on the boards, outrebounding them 67-39.  Some of that is because the Hawks couldn't hit a shot to save their lives (36.9% shooting), but also because the Lakers were big on the offensive glass, rolling up 28 offensive rebounds on 54 misses.  That's good. 

With Kobe Bryant a game time decision- my bet is that he'll play- thanks to the ankle he gunked up in Friday's win over the Nets, this afternoon LA will need more of the same inside against a Hawks team that thrives in the open court and on mistakes.  That means the Lakers will have to take better care of the ball than they did in February, when the Hawks were unable to take full advantage of 23 LA giveaways (it should be noted that the number was inflated by garbage time sloppiness, but overall the Lakers were too careless). 

It'll also be a test for the still slumping reserves to generate good shots and minimize easy run outs for the Hawks.  Concern is growing, among fans, coaches, and as noted here from Odom (scroll past all the nice stuff about Pau.)

More thoughts: Forum Blue and Gold's game preview, Peachtree Hoops.  No Marvin Williams for Atlanta, and Acie Law could miss the game as well. 

Chat box below! See you at game time.

BK

Kwame Brown has two sources of motivation for tonight.  First, the Lakers dumped him off to Memphis for some lanky Spaniard Chris Wallace offered up.  Second, his calves were thrashed in the opening round of our Lakers March Madness tourney. 

Chat box below.   

BK

Where are the Lakers playing tonight?

And despite the Thunder's 20-50 record, that's not as easy a proposition as you might suspect. While some of the deets have changed since the first time these teams tussled, the big picture stuff hasn't.  As I mentioned this morning, OKC has shown growth over the last few weeks and months.  In a 2-13 December, their point differential was a shocking -11.2.  This month, during which OKC has gone 6-5, it's a far less obscene -1.6. (Their best figure of the year came in January, at -.8.)

But while the Thunder have the horses to demand LA's attention, something the purple and gold didn't necessarily give with consistency in either of the first two meetings this year, there's no question the Lakers are a vastly superior team.  Will the Lakers make smart decisions (in this case, play disciplined defense rather than gambling in pursuit of turnovers and stops while minimizing their own giveaways and bad shots, the better to keep the Thunder from running) because they should, rather than because absolutely they have to? 

We'll find out.  For more pregame reading, check Forum Blue and Gold and The Daily Thunder.  Chat box below. 

BK

Game one of seven.  As in most games, the Lakers have an advantage in the low post, especially on the boards (Chicago isn't all that good at protecting their glass).  Chicago, though, is strong on the wings and in the backcourt.  Where Derrick Rose shoots could be the determining factor in tonight's contest.

Chat box below.

BK