Local input on Seattle tonight?

[picasso]

I would be curious as to what those who follow the Sonics think of tonight's matchup vs the Lakers.

Seattle got hot and won 7 straight, believing they were still in the playoff chase. They've now lost 3 straight road games -- all close -- to Portland, Denver, and Minnesota. So, it seems they're still playing hard.

Historically, the Lakers seem to struggle with Seattle and may come out flat. They played a tough game last night and have San Antonio on deck. Seattle is a perimeter team and the Lakers only play perimeter d when they feel like it. However, Payton may show some interest since he's returning to Seattle.

So, the question for locals is: Will Seattle be up for this game or have they given up after a sequence of tough losses? Thanks for any input.

 

[Nolan Dalla]

I too, looked at this game and love a play on Seattle. LA Lakers have a history of struggling in Seattle and since the Sonics are playing hard, I expect them to give an all-out effort tonight.

The Laker express has been on a roll lately, but anyone who watched the LAL/HOU game last night saw some fatigue and carelessness start to creep in. Phil jackson is the type of coach who understands the streakiness of championship calibre teams. The Lakers want to make a statement, especially at home -- but there seems to be little incentive to prove anything in a back-to-back situation on the road, against a mediocre team.

This is a HUGE game for Seattle, at least psychologically -- as it gives them one final big home game to please the fans. On the other hand, I see no reason why LAL should have any motivation to go "all out," especially with the Spurs up next.

One last point -- LAL looked very tired in last night's game. Except for the 2Q, the team missed a majority of its shots and seemed to sleepwalk through the game. The ball handling was atrocious. Houston's was worse, and had any other team played decently, the Lakers would have lost at hom last night. The fact that LAL WON the game I think gives them a reason to relax a bit tonight. I look for the Lakers to go through the motions, whereas Seattle will play likes it's the Western Conference finals.

Agree with your points, Picasso.


-- NOlan Dalla