Los Angeles Lakers at Minnesota Timberwolves
If Szczerbiak can make Bryant work on defense, the Lakers guard might burn up energy he otherwise would use to attack the basket. Remember, when Szczerbiak scored 17 points in the first half of the teams' Dec. 1 meeting at Staples Center, the Wolves were even at halftime, 46-46. When he got only two more points in the second half, they got outscored 56-30. Everyone expecting the Timberwolves to suddenly lose their edge and slide back to the second tier of playoff teams, forget about it. They are a great defensive team and Wally Szczerbiak is having a breakout year.
<I>Minnesota Timberwolves(+5.5)</I>
If Szczerbiak can make Bryant work on defense, the Lakers guard might burn up energy he otherwise would use to attack the basket. Remember, when Szczerbiak scored 17 points in the first half of the teams' Dec. 1 meeting at Staples Center, the Wolves were even at halftime, 46-46. When he got only two more points in the second half, they got outscored 56-30. Everyone expecting the Timberwolves to suddenly lose their edge and slide back to the second tier of playoff teams, forget about it. They are a great defensive team and Wally Szczerbiak is having a breakout year.
<I>Minnesota Timberwolves(+5.5)</I>
