Halftime Hype

As the Los Angeles Lakers tipoff in Portland, a fan can only hope that the basketball gods break their routine and allow Kobe & Co. to escape unscathed. If history is any indication, this game should already be added to the loss column. The Lakers are 4-18 in their last 22 meetings and the Lakers have not been able to finish a back-to-back stretch with a win at all this season.

There's a simple key to victory though that Dwight Howard touched on: the Lakers must "play big." It's no secret that the Lakers are an old, slow team. The only unique advantage that separates this squad from the other 29 in the Association is its frontcourt starring two future Hall-of-Fame, seven-footers in Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard. If the Lakers slow down this game and make the Trailblazers battle the bigs down low, the Lakers will secure a much-coveted win.

From this point on, sitting half a game ahead of the Utah Jazz, the Lakers control their destiny. Basically, they need a squeeky clean record the rest of the way. There's especially no room for error since the Jazz own the tiebreaker. A win tonight is not enough for the Lakers though. Coach Mike D'Antoni has to watch Kobe's minutes. Even if the Lakers make the playoffs - and right now that's a big "if" - will the Black Mamba have enough gas left in the tank to lead the Lakers past the first round?