Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Lakers 2010-11 Season (Game by Game Predictions)



Disclaimer: I am a Lakers fan (obviously). With that being said, these are my realistic game by game predictions of how the season will turn out(barring injuries, trades, ect.). Sure, I'd love for the Lakers to go 82-0 or even 70-12, but here's my view of the season with a (somewhat) realistic look at it.


OCTOBER

Tue, Oct 26 Houston 10:30 PM (Win 1-0)
Kobe & Co. get their rings and spoil Yao's first game back. Trevor Ariza holds back his tears as he sees Ron Artest put on his ring.

Fri, Oct 29 @ Phoenix 10:30 PM (Win 2-0)
The new look Suns can't hang with the Lakers in this conference finals "rematch".

Sun, Oct 31 Golden State 9:30 PM (Win 3-0)
The Lakers are still riding on their early season confidence in this easy victory over the Warriors.


NOVEMBER

Tue, Nov 2 Memphis 10:30 PM (Win 4-0)
Another victory as the Lakers take advantage of a favorable early season schedule.

Wed, Nov 3 @ Sacramento 10:30 PM (Win 5-0)
2nd night of a back to back doesn't bother the Lakers much as they take down the Kings.  Tyreke Evans drives the team bus straight to LAX at 150 mph.

Fri, Nov 5 Toronto 10:30 PM (Win 6-0)
Another easy win for the purple and gold.  Lakers fans spend much of the game looking through their programs trying to recognize any Raptors player.

Sun, Nov 7 Portland 9:30 PM (Win 7-0)
Lakers pull out a tight one down the stretch against Brandon Roy and the Trailblazers.  After the game, Greg Oden's knees ask Andrew Bynum's knees for advice.

Tue, Nov 9 Minnesota 10:30 PM (Win 8-0)
Kurt Rambis comes back home...and leaves with a loss.

Thu, Nov 11 @ Denver 10:30 PM (Loss 8-1)
Carmelo has a strong early season performance and the Lakers suffer their first loss of the young season.

Sun, Nov 14 Phoenix 9:30 PM (Win 9-1)
After 2 full days to think about their first loss, the Lakers rebound and run the Suns out of Staples.

Tue, Nov 16 @ Milwaukee 8:00 PM (Loss 10-2)
Sophomore Brandon Jennings and the much improved Bucks go right at the champs and get revenge for Kobe's heartbreaking game winner last season. 

Wed, Nov 17 @ Detroit 7:30 PM (Win 11-2)
The Lakers almost slip in the 2nd night of a back to back but eventually pull it out late in the 4th.  Fans refrain from taunting Ron Artest in fear of being hit with a ring this time.

Fri, Nov 19 @ Minnesota 8:00 PM (Win 12-2)
The purple and gold get their 2nd victory in 10 days over the Wolves and makes Kurt wish he was still sitting next to Phil.

Sun, Nov 21 Golden State 9:30 PM (Win 13-2)
Once again, the Warriors are no match for the Lakers.

Tue, Nov 23 Chicago 10:30 PM (Win 14-2)
Derrick Rose dazzles the Staples Center crowd but can't oull out a victory for his Bulls.

Fri, Nov 26 @ Utah 9:00 PM (Win 15-2)
Kobe has one of his 40+ Kobe games as he punishes Raja Bell for spurning him in the offseason.

Sun, Nov 28 Indiana 9:30 PM (Win 16-2)
Lakers take down Indy in a yawner.

Tue, Nov 30 @ Memphis 8:00 PM (Win 17-2)
OJ Mayo goes right at Kobe while Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol battles Andrew and Pau. Doesn't matter, Kobe is Kobe in the end.


DECEMBER

Wed, Dec 1 @ Houston 8:30 PM (Loss 17-3)
Just one night after battling with the young, strong, athletic Grizzlies, the Lakers don't have much in the tank and fall to the hard working Rockets.

Fri, Dec 3 Sacramento 10:30 PM (Win 18-3)
The Lakers rebound from the loss in Houston by disposing of the Kings at Staples.

Tue, Dec 7 Washington 10:30 PM (Win 19-3)
The Lakers get their first look at rookie John Wall and send him back to D.C. with an L.

Wed, Dec 8 @ LA Clippers 10:30 PM (Win 20-3)
The 2nd night of a back to back is negated by the fact that this Clippers "home" game is actually a neutral site. Lakers win.

Fri, Dec 10 @ Chicago 8:00 PM (Loss 20-4)
Chicago gets payback for last month's loss in L.A.

Sun, Dec 12 @ New Jersey 1:00 PM (Win 21-4)
The Lakers travel to the Meadowlands. Meanwhile, Jordan Farmar has 2nd thoughts.

Tue, Dec 14 @ Washington 7:00 PM (Win 22-4)
The Lakers dispose of the Wizards fresh off of their annual meeting with President Obama.

Wed, Dec 15 @ Indiana 7:00 PM (Win 23-4)
2nd night of a back to back. Lakers pull out a close one.

Fri, Dec 17 @ Philadelphia 7:00 PM (Win 24-4)
Kobe puts on a show and the Lakers-heavy Philly crowd gives him the love he deserves.

Sun, Dec 19 @ Toronto 1:00 PM (Win 25-4)
50% of Lakers fans in Los Angeles turn on the TV to find out that they missed the game that started at 10 AM.

Tue, Dec 21 Milwaukee 10:30 PM (Win 26-4)
The Lakers get payback against Milwaukee as everyone looks ahead to Christmas. 

Sat, Dec 25 Miami 5:00 PM (Loss 26-5)
Lakers start slow, stage a comeback, before falling late in the 4th.  Lakers fans refuse to watch Sportscenter.

Tue, Dec 28 @ San Antonio 8:30 PM (Loss 26-6)
Lakers slip and suffer their first consecutive losses of the season.

Wed, Dec 29 @ New Orleans 8:00 PM (Win 27-6)
Lakers rebound to take care of New Orleans as the Chris Paul trade rumors swirl.

Fri, Dec 31 Philadelphia 10:30 PM (Win 28-6)
The Lakers win hours before Ron Artest parties it up in front of TMZ cameras.


JANUARY

Sun, Jan 2 Memphis 9:30 PM (Win 29-6)
The Lakers start off the new year with a win over Memphis.

Tue, Jan 4 Detroit 10:30 PM (Win 30-6)
The Lakers make it 5 straight in a home win over the Pistons.

Wed, Jan 5 @ Phoenix 10:30 PM (Loss 30-7)
Steve Nash and Hedo Turkoglu finally get a win over the Lakers in their 3rd try. 

Fri, Jan 7 New Orleans 10:30 PM (Win 31-7)
Lakers return home to beat the Hornets for the 2nd time in 10 days.

Sun, Jan 9 NY Knicks 9:30 PM (Win 31-7)
Amare comes to Staples for the first time since the conference finals. Amare loses just like in the conference finals.

Tue, Jan 11 Cleveland 10:30 PM (Win 32-7)
Boy this matchup isn't the same as it was last year.

Wed, Jan 12 @ Golden State 10:30 PM (Win 33-7)
2nd night of a back to back.  Lakers pull out a tight one.

Fri, Jan 14 New Jersey 10:30 PM (Win 34-7)
Jordan Farmar comes home and gets his ring.  That's all he gets as the Lakers get the win.

Sun, Jan 16 @ LA Clippers 3:30 PM (Win 35-7)
Blake Griffin and the Clippers put up a good fight, but not good enough as the Lakers pull it out.

Mon, Jan 17 Oklahoma City 10:30 PM (Loss 35-8)
Kevin Durant and his Thunder take advantage of the Lakers, who are on the 2nd nigth of a back to back on MLK day.

Wed, Jan 19 @ Dallas 9:00 PM (Loss 35-9)
Consecutive losses for the Lakers again as Dirk gets hot at home.

Fri, Jan 21 @ Denver 10:30 PM (Win 36-9)
In what is almost the first 3 game losing streak of the season, Ron Artest and Matt Barnes harass Carmelo Anthony who is dealing with his own trade rumors and the Lakers pull it out.

Tue, Jan 25 Utah 10:30 PM (Win 37-9)
The Lakers benefit from the weekend off as they take care of Deron Williams and the Jazz.

Fri, Jan 28 Sacramento 10:30 PM (Win 38-9)
An easy win for the rested Lakers who are playing only their 2nd game in 7 days.

Sun, Jan 30 Boston 3:30 PM (Win 39-9)
The Lakers show up on the big stage as boos rain down on Shaq from the Staples Center crowd.


FEBRUARY

Tue, Feb 1 Houston 10:30 PM (Win 40-9)
The Lakers win a close one and are still riding their high after the Boston victory.  However, the're only the 2nd team to reach 40 wins.

Thu, Feb 3 San Antonio 10:30 PM (Win 41-9)
The Lakers take care of business in thier final home game before a long road trip. 

Sat, Feb 5 @ New Orleans 8:00 PM (Win 42-9)
The Lakers start the road trip off with a win. Whether or not Chris Paul is here for this game remains to be seen.

Mon, Feb 7 @ Memphis 8:00 PM (Win 43-9)
The Gasol brothers battle it out.  The one with the rings comes out on top.

Thu, Feb 10 @ Boston 8:00 PM (Loss 43-10)
The Lakers slip on the drool Glen Davis left on the floor after game 5 of the Finals. Rajon Rondo runs circles around the Lakers PGs. Kobe has a good game, but the Lakers bigs struggle against the C's who feed off the crowd's energy.

Fri, Feb 11 @ NY Knicks 8:00 PM (Win 44-10)
2nd night of a back to back causes the Lakers to struggle, luckily Kobe is in the Garden and delights the crowd willing the Lakers to a win.

Sun, Feb 13 @ Orlando 3:30 PM (Loss 44-11)
Orlando reminds the Lakers that the Heat aren't the only team in Florida.

Mon, Feb 14 @ Charlotte 7:00 PM (Win 45-11)
Charlotte puts up a fight, but Kobe delivers in the clutch with MJ watching from the sidelines.

Wed, Feb 16 @ Cleveland 7:30 PM (Win 46-11)
The Cleveland fans are suddenly bigger fans of Kobe than they were last season.

Tue, Feb 22 Atlanta 10:30 PM (Win 47-11)
The Lakers win the first game since Kobe's MVP performance at the All Star Game in the same building.

Wed, Feb 23 @ Portland 10:30 PM (Loss 47-12)
2nd night of a back to back + in Portland = trouble for the Lakers.

Fri, Feb 25 LA Clippers 10:30 PM (Win 48-12)
The Clippers are normally injury depleted by this time of year. Even if they aren't this still lose this game.

Sun, Feb 27 @ Oklahoma City 2:30 PM (Win 49-12)
The fans are just as ready as they were in the first round last year, but so are the Lakers who take the W.

MARCH Tue, Mar 1 @ Minnesota 8:00 PM (Win 50-12)
Lakers reach 50 wins at the expense of their old assistant Kurt. Sorry Kurt.

Fri, Mar 4 Charlotte 10:30 PM (Win 51-12)
The focused Lakers avoid a letdown againt the Cats before an important road trip.

Sun, Mar 6 @ San Antonio 3:30 PM (Win 52-12)
The Lakers start the trip off right by taking care of the Spurs in San Antonio.

Tue, Mar 8 @ Atlanta 7:00 PM (Loss 52-13)The Hawks catch the Lakers looking ahead in the schedule and pull one out against the champs.

Thu, Mar 10 @ Miami 8:00 PM (Win 53-13)
The Lakers remember Christmas and everything the critics have said since then as the Lakers win a thriller in South Beach.

Sat, Mar 12 @ Dallas 8:30 PM (Win 54-13)
The Lakers avoid a post Miami letdown and win a close one in Dallas.

Mon, Mar 14 Orlando 10:30 PM (Win 55-13)
Dwight Howard struggles as the demons from 2009 still haunt him at Staples.

Fri, Mar 18 Minnesota 10:30 PM (Win 56-13)
Sorry Kurt.....again.

Sun, Mar 20 Portland 9:30 PM (Win 57-13)
Lakers take care of Brandon Roy and the Blazers at home.

Tue, Mar 22 Phoenix 10:30 PM (Win 58-13)
The Lakers down a Phoenix team that is falling further and further away from that 8th playoff spot.

Fri, Mar 25 LA Clippers 10:30 PM (Loss 58-14)
The Clippers finally steal one from the champs. Ralph Lawler's "BINGOOO" yell can be heard from miles away.  Clippers fans brag about the victory well into the playoffs even after their team is at home.

Sun, Mar 27 New Orleans 9:30 PM (Win 59-14)
The Chris Paul-less Hornets are no match for the Lakers at home.  And yes I said Paul-less.

Thu, Mar 31 Dallas 10:30 PM (Win 60-14)
After 3 days off, the rested Lakers hand the Mavs a late season loss for win # 60.  After the loss, David Stern fines both Mark Cuban and Phil Jackson for possibly having bad thoughts about the officiating.



APRIL

Fri, Apr 1 @ Utah 10:30 PM (Loss 60-15)
Fighting for playoff position and feeding off of a hungry crowd, the Jazz are able to take down the Lakers who struggle down the stretch on the 2nd night of a back to back.  Mormons rejoice!

Sun, Apr 3 Denver 3:30 PM (Win 61-15)
Facing another team fighting for playoff position, the Lakers are able to execute at home against Carmelo & Co.

Tue, Apr 5 Utah 10:30 PM (Win 62-15)
Utah can't make it 2 wins over the champs in 5 days. Lakers win.

Wed, Apr 6 @ Golden State 10:30 PM (Win 63-15)
Lakers get the road win over a Warriors squad who's season was over months ago.  Meanwhile, Stephen Curry continues to get younger and younger.

Fri, Apr 8 @ Portland 10:00 PM (Loss 63-16)
As the Lakers sit comfortably atop the Western standings, Portland is one of the 8 teams fighting for playoff position. That hunger propels them to this home win. 

Sun, Apr 10 Oklahoma City 9:30 PM (Win 64-16)
The Lakers who are still battling Miami for home court in a possible Finals matchup, send a message to the Thunder in a possible playoff preview.

Tue, Apr 12 San Antonio 10:30 PM (Win 65-16)
The Lakers defeat a San Antonio team that is resting all of its important pieces for the playoffs.

Wed, Apr 13 @ Sacramento 10:30 PM (Loss 65-17)
This game is completely meaningless as Miami wrapped up home court a few days earlier. Kings finally take one as Tyreke Evans speeds into sumemr vacation.



There you have it. 65-17. Not bad at all. I see the Miami Heat stealing the best record and home court with the Lakers a close 2nd. 

Look for more previews/predictions as the season approaches.

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