While many may have doubted the Lakers, especially the hot start in a majority of homes games against opponents with records under .500, the team’s recent stretch, even through injuries, has shown that currently the Lakers are the best team in the NBA – something their 32-9 record supports at the halfway point of the season. After multiple key injuries to Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant, Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom stepped things up and, ever since, the Lakers have re-established themselves as the team to beat. Having just defeated Orlando, and looking toward a faceoff against Cleveland two nights later, it is up to Los Angeles to continue to hold on to that mindset as they face the elite team of the East.
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It should surprise no one that perennial NBA superstar Kobe Bryant leads the team in three of the top five statistical categories with his 28.3 points (4th in NBA), 4.5 assists, and 1.8 steals (8th in NBA) per night, while tallying 5.2 rebounds as well. Topping the remaining two stat columns for the Lakers are power forward Lamar Odom (9.7 points, 3.9 assists) with 9.9 rebounds and center Andrew Bynum (15.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists) with 1.64 blocks, while Pau Gasol (only 24 games, 17 points, 11.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.71 blocks) and Ron Artest (11.8 points, 5 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.14 steals) round out the top five performers over the first half of the 2009-2010 season.
Can this team avoid further injuries and remain on pace to finish with the best record in the NBA? Can they consistently impose the same force over the league’s top teams, as they have over the average and subpar teams so far this season? The best way to find out the answers to these questions is to get tickets now and be there to see the Los Angeles Lakers as they battle to remain the best team in the league, and attempt to repeat as NBA Champs in 2010.
With their current record holdings in most wins, highest winning percentage, most NBA finals appearances and the longest consecutive winning streak, you can be assured if you have Los Angeles Lakers tickets, you are going to see a great game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. While they share this arena with the Los Angeles Clippers, the jewel of the west will continue to be the Los Angeles Lakers.