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NBA Preseason 2012-2013, Game 4:
Utah Jazz (2-1) @ Los Angeles Lakers (0-3)
Injury Update:
I'm still trying out new ways to present this info . . . so here goes another look . . .
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Lakers Injuries --
Player |
Pos |
Role |
Body Part |
Situation |
Comment |
| Dwight Howard | C | Starter | Back | Out | Continues post-op rehab |
| Earl Clark | F | Bench | Groin | Out | Strained in practice, out indefinitely |
| Jordan Hill | C-F | Bench | Back | Out | Does not need surgery, but will not be back until start of regular season |
| Kobe Bryant | SG | Star | Shoulder | Day-to-day | Played in last game, had 18 / 8 / 5, with 14 FTA |
The big issue here is the cumulative effect of not having Dwight and Jordan inside. Both are bigs who can and do hold their own in the paint. Pau Gasol can't do it on his own, and he proved that in our last game. Kobe will be Kobe though . . . the recent loss of Earl Clark is a kick in the balls at this point for the Lakers. He's a versatile and tall player, better suited to a face up game. He's not a banger, but he can play -- but will not because he got injured in practice. That totally sucks.
Jazz Injuries --
Player |
Pos |
Role |
Body Part |
Situation |
Comment |
| Paul Millsap | PF | Starter | Personal | Returns | Paul was excused for personal reasons, and missed Gm 2 and 3. Returns tonight. |
| Jamaal Tinsley | PG | Bench | Personal | In | Jamaal was excused for personal reasons, and missed Gm 2. Played in last game. |
| Earl Watson | PG | Bench | Knee | Out | Earl continues post-op rehab |
| Mo Williams | PG | Starter | Adductor | Out | Adductor strain, I don't know which one. But it's not serious. He will play in Gm 5 @ LAC. |
| Raja Bell | G | ??? | -- | -- | Raja is healthy, but not part of the team. |
Paul makes his return tonight, and we'll need his all-around game as Mo will take the night off. No Mo and no Earl = more time for Jamaal I hope. (Jamaal is going to start, as will Paul) We are going to see more of Randy Foye too (as we looked at in the player focus), but if the team is going to play well it will be because of a smooth offense. And the only guy healthy who can run one for the Jazz is Jamaal. I'd look for Steve Nash to attack this weakness like how we've been attacking the Lakers' replacement level bigs.
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Advantage --
On paper no Earl and no Mo doesn't hurt your team as much as having no Dwight. But Dwight is like the 4th best starter on his team right now, while Mo and Earl are the two best point guards on a team that needs a PG to do anything. I'm shaky on Randy, and we have little guard depth . . . so for fun . . . I'm saying the Lakers have the advantage here.