There is no doubt that the Los Angeles Lakers are a better team than the Bobcats but it's a really difficult spot for the defending champions to be in.
Kobe and the gang lost yesterday in Orlando and are on the dreaded back-to-back and fourth game in five nights. It's almost a death sentence for the Lakers today no matter how good they are and no matter how mediocre the boys from Charlotte are.
Phil Jackson's squad beat the Celtics to begin this road trip and then downed the Knicks the next night at Madison Square Garden. After a day off they traveled down south yesterday in the loss at Orlando and now are once again on the road in another city against the Bobcats. No matter how great these Lakers can be it just shouldn't matter. Charlotte may be fairly mediocre and underachieving this season but they still do have some players in Stephen Jackson, Gerald Wallace and the blossoming DJ Augustin and everybody pretty much gets up for the champs on their assigned night, even if things have not been going all that well.
The Bobbies just pulled off the semi shocking upset in Hotlanta on Saturday night against the quality Hawks and should be feeling at least a little better about themselves in this spot. Now the energy and enthusiasm should remain pretty high and upbeat with the big bad Lakers limping into town.
Lamar Odom is a bit banged up and no matter how much superior the visitors are in terms of talent I believe it gets neutralized due to the situation and in the end the home Bobcats are able to take care of business.
Top expert pick on this game: Charlotte from the real Matt Rivers
For more information: A rare off Sunday, not the end of the world. More winning today and it comes in the form of a 300,000* between a couple of struggling teams in West Virginia and Syracuse. One play, one winner, no problem! Get Rivers Monday winners
