The Los Angeles Lakers take their act on the road tonight when they meet the Golden State Warriors at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California.

Lakers 48-18
Warriors 18-47
Season Record vs. Warriors: 3-0
7:30PM PT/10:30PM ET
Channel 9 (Local), ESPN (Nationally)

Preview:

“The Warriors broke a six-game losing streak with a 124-112 victory Saturday over Toronto. The Lakers’ victories over the Warriors this season have been by an average of 16.3 points.”

Laker Goggles:

Although we have now lost three of our last five, we are riding a two-game winning streak. We looked much improved in our win over the Phoenix Suns on Friday night, however Steve Nash had an off game and Amare Stoudemire put up 29 and 16 – easily muscling his way through our paint.

We did a good job looking for Pau and Bynum throughout the game, particularly Drew, and were finally able to post back-to-back wins for the first time since the beginning of March.

We will once again enjoy a significant size advantage tonight. Hopefully, we’ll find a way to pound it inside and walk away with an easy win again.

Betting Line:

Lakers -7
Over/Under 222

Predictions:

Lakers to win, but not cover. The game will go under as well.

Some NBA scouts recently spoke anonymously with ESPN.com about the Lakers’ chances of going back-2-back, and the possibility of the Cavs meeting us there.

Western Conference scout on the Lakers’ status as title favorites:

“They’re favorites, but I wouldn’t say ‘heavy’ favorites. I see some holes in them. Kobe’s not 100 percent. Their bench hasn’t been great. Shannon Brown and Jordan Farmar are up-and-down. I don’t think they’re clear-cut better than everybody. I also think you’ve got to put the Mavs in there now [after acquiring Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood]. They match up with the Lakers a lot better now. Even Utah has come on so much and takes so much out of you in a seven-game series. I still like ‘em, but the Lakers will have a harder time winning the West than people think.”

Eastern Conference scout on the Cavaliers’ outlook in the East:

“Cleveland is playing free and loose and they’re going to keep blowing people out because there’s nobody to slow them down right now. LeBron is going to play more power forward and they’re just going to attack, attack, attack. But until they get those two big guys back [Shaquille O'Neal and Zydrunas Ilgauskas], they can’t win the championship. They’re going to need one or both of those guys to beat the Lakers. I think even against Boston they need the big guys. The problem is that they’re going to have to change their style of play again when Z and Shaq come back.”

And since this “anonymous scout” threw Dallas out there as a legit threat to us taking the Western Conference crown again, here’s what they said about the Mavs’ recent trade for former Laker Caron Butler and center Brendan Haywood.

Western Conference scout on the best trade swung before last month’s trading deadline:
“It’s not even close. Dallas won the trade deadline when they got [Brendan] Haywood with [Caron] Butler. Haywood is much better offensively than anyone they’ve had in the middle. He’s longer than you think when you’re looking at him. And I think being traded to an organization like Dallas is going to rejuvenate Caron. He’s an absolute handful when he’s at his best and we didn’t see that guy in Washington this year with everything that’s gone on [with the Wizards]. The only thing I wonder is how they can find enough minutes for Butler and [Shawn] Marion to coexist, because they still need Marion’s defense. But those are two significant upgrades.”

Laker Goggles:

With the lack of urgency and inconsistent play since the All-Star break, it’s no wonder peeps are starting to jump off the bandwagon. The only reason we’re the “favorites” to win is because we did last year and we have the most talent in the league.

However, having the deepest squad doesn’t always make you the BEST team. That fact, parlayed with the prospects of not having homecourt throughout the playoffs, questionable point guard play and team toughness that makes Brittney Griner laugh, makes it highly possible we could get humbled this year.

It’s arrogant to believe we can just flip the switch in the Playoffs this year because a few of the elite teams HONESTLY BELIEVE they can take us in a seven-game series, with or without homecourt.

One thing’s for sure, if we don’t repeat, Kobe’s gonna go on a tirade and this “championship era” could end before it really began …

After barely putting an end to their three-game losing streak on Tuesday night, the Lakers take their act on the road again as they travel to face the Phoenix Suns tonight.

Summary:

Suns 40-25
Lakers 47-18
Season Record vs. Suns: 2-1

The last time the Lakers played the Suns, L.A. lost by 15 points. The Lakers have been struggling on the road, having lost five of their last eight away from Staples Center. The Lakers are 5-5 in their last 10 games. The Suns, on the other hand, are 8-2 in their last 10 and are 24-8 at home. Phoenix will be without backup center Channing Frye while he serves a one-game suspension for fighting. Robin Lopez has been starting at center for the Suns. – LATimes.com

Laker Goggles:

The way we’ve been playing since the All-Star break, it’s amazing that we’re favorites going into the Valley of the Sun. If the Suns can get out in transition it will be another long night for us.

We shoot too many 3’s, and since we all know long shots equal long rebounds, that could most likely be the Suns most effective “outlet pass” in igniting their fast break. We need to pound the ball inside to take advantage of our length in the frontcourt and slow the game down in the process.

Betting Line:

Lakers -2.5
Over/Under 213.5

Prediction:

Suns and Over

Although the Los Angeles Lakers are the reigning NBA champs, they haven’t played with their typical swagger of late and it’s caused them to fall further behind the Cleveland LeBrons for the best record in the league while the Dallas Mavericks continue their red-hot play to close the distance on L.A.’s Western Conference lead.

While the Lake Show tries to find a cure for their troubles, lesser squads have taken notice and have gone about trying to punk the purple and gold as if they aren’t the ones sporting the hardware.

Here’s what Lamar Odom had to say about the Lakers’ dissipating aura of invincibility:

“Got dudes on the Raptors talking [expletive]. They ain’t done [expletive]. You know what I mean? As a team, as individuals.”

“Our disposition as a team gives like some of these dudes, they feel like they have the right. The way we’re playing as a unit, they got dudes on their team that are talking [expletive]. They are like .500.”

“Right now, we’ve got teams that are way too confident against us. They are even doing that here.”

“But our aura comes off like ‘soft’. This was the second game I almost got thrown out. So I see one coming. I’m just going to take one, like, ‘hold up?’ Our energy, we are so laid back right now that these teams are like … ”

“That [expletive] that [Orlando's] Matt Barnes pulled, that ain’t never going to happen again. He’s lucky it was a close game.”

Derek Fisher has also noticed an increasing level of disrespect around the association:

“I guess a little bit, certain guys. I think [Odom] is right in terms of it’s a byproduct of what [opponents] see or what they feel.”

“So when a giant appears vulnerable and there is a chink in the armor or there is an open wound, people have a tendency to kind of go at that. Thus far we haven’t come across as invincible or unbeatable. So of course teams, their chests are going to be up a little bit more because they really believe that they can win.”

Laker Goggles:

The solution is pretty simple, isn’t it? If we’re playing well and winning ballgames there’s nothing anybody can say – just like the Cavs and Mavs are doing right now.

There’s still plenty of time before the playoffs start to get our game back on track. The offense has looked stagnant since Kobe’s return after the All-Star break, but it will come around.

The key is defensive toughness and providing resistance when the Matt Barnes’ of the NBA play like MJ against us.

Just in case you missed it, here’s what the latest Laker hater Tweeted about LA:

“Up early w/ babies watchn Dora.Seems Lamar can’t keep my name out his mouth maby I need 2 put my sons s—ty diaper n it”

“Cum on yall its weds and yall tlkn bout sunday it was 1 game its over. Why u still trippn. Find sumthen 2 do w/ ur time”

Make sure to show the former UCLA Bruin some Laker love @Matt_Barnes22.

At the tender age of 31, Kobe Bryant’s illustrious career may be closer to the end than it is the beginning. His surgically repaired knees have undergone countless procedures and don’t forget all of the nagging injuries he’s currently pushing through.

Unfortunately for KB24, his team’s pathetic and uninspired play for much of this season has caused a neccessary increase in the superstar’s minutes.

It appears Kobe and 22-year-old Andrew Bynum are the only Laker starters to log more minutes this season than last year’s championship squad.

Kobe Bryant is averaging 38.8 minutes a game after averaging only 36.1 last season
Pau Gasol is down slightly to 36.8 minutes a game after averaging 37 in the same department last season.
Ron Artest is playing 34 minutes a game after averaging 35.5 with the Houston Rockets last season.
Derek Fisher is down to 27.4 minutes, 2.4 fewer that last season.
Andrey Bynum is up from 28.9 minutes a game to 30.5 this season.

Laker Goggles:

Phil’s response to Kobe’s increased minutes:

“It shows maybe the need, the desire to have him on the floor, something along the lines that we need him out there to win games.”

(Please see: Toronto Raptors)

Well, if we’re gonna pay Kobe $24 Million a year, might as well run him into the ground …

After another forgettable performance against the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night, the Lakers found themselves in a tie ballgame with only 19.5 seconds to go. Immediate thoughts?

Fact: Kobe Bryant will be getting the ball.

Fact: The Black Mamba will bust another game winner in your eye.

“That’s my responsibility here, to close things out,” Bryant nonchalantly said of his latest conquest. “The same shot in Orlando, and I missed it.”

Well, at least the Lake Show won to remain three games above the red-hot Dallas Mavericks for the top spot in the Western Conference Playoff race.

The question is, why are the Lakers barely beating/losing to teams they should be blowing out?

Kobe thinks the issue is DEFENSE.

“Offensively, we score a lot of points. That’s not going to change. We have to stop people and we didn’t do a good job of that,” Kobe said of his team’s D.

PJ believes the Lakers need to be more efficient on the other end of the court.

“We’re holding the ball too long,” Jackson said. “Ron [Artest] is a little bit indecisive, Kobe’s looking for opportunities, our centers sometimes are kicking the ball out when they’re double-teamed in the post and creating turnovers. Everybody’s a little bit guilty of that aspect of not moving the ball when it’s time to move the ball.”

Laker Goggles:

SURPRISE!!! You’re both right. You can also throw in their lack of toughness, pathetic free throw shooting, stupid fouls, questionable decision making, as well as lack of rebounding, hustle, heart and effort.

Outside of those minor issues, we’re in a perfect spot to repeat …

Kobe Bryant saves the day once again as a baseline jumper prevents the Lakers from possibly losing their fourth straight game. Once again the Lakers looked like a team that’s trying to find their groove heading down the stretch.

Things were looking up as the Lakers were up by five (29-24) after the 1st quarter, but then saw the Raptors outscore them by 13 in the 2nd to take a 58-50 lead heading into halftime.

Four Lakers were in double figures by the time the night ended with Bryant once again leading the way, putting in 32 points on 11-20 shooting. Andrew Bynum had 22, Pau Gasol had 17 and Lamar Odom added 10 off the bench.

The Raptors shot 7-10 from the three-point line in the 1st half, but ended the night at 9-22. Chris Bosh and Andrea Bargnani led the Raptors with 22 and 21 points respectively.

The scored was tied at 107 after Bosh made a game tying three pointer with less than 10 seconds to go in the game. After a timeout was called by the Lakers, Bryant got the ball and headed towards the baseline after a late double team arrived. Bryant faded towards the sideline and sank an 18-foot fadeaway jumpshot with 1.9 seconds remaining. The Raptors were out of timeouts meaning they couldn’t advance the ball to half court for the inbounds and had to settle for long distance heave from the back court that wasn’t close.

The Lakers will face the Phoenix Suns on Friday night at the US Airways Center.

Laker daddy’s girl Jeanie Buss recently addressed the rumor that family squabbling has escalated to the point it might prevent Phil Jackson from coming back next season to coach our squad.

“Phil, I don’t think was ready to leave, I wasn’t ready for him to go. There was some tension that is now being repeated in the media. It’s convenient to bring all that up again because Phil is in his last year of his contract and it’s almost like déjà vu, but it’s nowhere near the same situation. I think that while there was some tension back in 2005, there isn’t that tension that exists today.”

“Phil got to come back and on completely different terms than when he left. That was an interesting part of the drama, and so I can see where it’s convenient to bring that up again.”

Laker Goggles:

While the Buss siblings continue to compete tooth and nail with each other for larger pieces of the best tasting pie in all the association, the team has gone back to their complacent and passive ways that got them trounced by the C’s in 2008.

If we can’t repeat this season, the world’s most fortunate heirs will have to add “Championship caliber coach that Kobe approves of” to the top of their off-season to-do list as PJ may likely bounce if he can’t sport the tacky “XI” hat his kids likely made him.

Before we start to pile on the Lakers for their two lackluster performances on the three-game road trip, our squad has been pretty banged up, especially our hands.

Artest sprained the thumb on his left hand in the third quarter of the Lakers’ game in Miami on Thursday. He played on Friday against the Bobcats with the thumb wrapped heavily in the same fashion that reserve guard Shannon Brown has on his right thumb after spraining it while blocking a shot in the second half against Indiana on Tuesday.

Artest also sprained the index finger on his right hand on Jan. 12 in a game in San Antonio.

Farmar has suffered injuries to his right thumb as well as a sprained joint on his left pinkie. Gasol had surgery to repair a torn volar plate on the index finger of his left hand before the season began. Lakers sixth man Lamar Odom has also battled multiple sprains to his right index and middle fingers.

And of course we all know about Kobe’s lingering issues with his right pinkie, ankle, knee, elbow and ego …

The Los Angeles Lakers look to get back on the championship track after returning from a humbling 0-3 road trip. They host the Toronto Raptors tonight at 7:30PM PT.

Stats:

Raptors 32-29
Lakers 46-18
Season record vs. Raptors: 0-1

Laker Goggles:

Considering we’re in the midst of the worst regular season stretch since getting Pau Gasol in February 2008, it’s certainly good to be back at Staples Center. It appears to be the only place our bench plays with any confidence, outside of the El Segundo practive facility of course, because they didn’t provide anything but inconsistencies while on the road.

Chris Bosh returned to action Sunday after missing seven games because of a sprained left ankle and a stomach virus. The All-Star posted 12 points and 12 rebounds in Toronto’s 114-101 loss to Philadelphia.

Betting Lines:

Lakers -10.5
Over/Under 209

Predictions:

Even if the Lakers were to go into Cleveland today, I don’t see them losing their fourth consecutive game. The Lakers have always had a tenency to play only when pushed, and their backs are agaist the regular season wall right now so they better come out swinging.

Lakers to win, but not cover and Under.