With Bryant on the sidelines now, the majority of the work is going to go through Gasol and Howard. Despite Dantoni not liking it, Bryant will command this game plan and force the Lakers to play a high post all game. Asik will be in foul trouble from the get go and look for Gasol to be very effective tonight. Without a solid 2 guard that leaves no one to guard a player like Harden and the Lakers are going to have to rely on a combination of Artest, Jodie Meeks, and Earl Clark for sporadic moments.

Not going to do a write up here. If Bryant was playing I would have no doubt the Lakers would win the Western conference. I will still stick to my guns and say that they have an outside shot, but I know feel as though OKC, Clippers are the two teams to beat out of the Western Conference.

$500 on LA ML tonight. A couple other plays in my thread as well to close out the season. GL.