Keep Momentum Rolling?

The Lakers will be looking to do just that tonight in a rivalry game with the Phoenix Suns. The Lakers have won 11 of their last 12, and 7 in a row (their longest post-shaq winning streak). The last one and half of those two "Ws" came without Andrew Bynum who is now sidelined with a dislocated knee cap. The injury, which will keep Bynum out for around 8 weeks, has the potential to be devastating to the hot Laker team. In their only full game during Bynum's absence, it took LA overtime and 44 shots (48 points) from Kobe to escape with a two point victory over the lowly Sonics. Without Bynums scoring, Kobe is going to have to expand his roll, and this means more shots, but he still needs to facilitate his teammates. If the Lakers can play above 500 ball with Bynum out, they will still be among the favorites in the West come playoff time.

Tonight's contest against Phoenix is a big test for this changed team. The Lakers can increase their Western Conference lead over Phoenix with a win, as well as clinch the all important season series over the Suns (for possible tie-break implications). Besides being the next chapter in this developing rivalry, tonight's game also has the potential to be a statement game for LA. The Lakers need to come out and prove to the rest of the NBA that they will be okay without their young superstar center, and that they can still compete against the NBA's Elite.

Lakers vs. Suns
7:30pm
TNT