The Los Angeles Lakers begin a six-game streak of games away from the Staples Center on Friday night with a game against the Denver Nuggets. Kobe Bryant, like always, should be key.
Feb 3, 2012 - The Los Angeles Lakers haven't had a lot of luck on the road so far this season, but they're hoping that changes pretty soon. Soon as in Friday night, actually, as they start a six-game road-trip with a game against the Denver Nuggets.
The Lakers are off to just a 2-7 record on the road this season, hampering their status in the defending as they trail the Clippers in the Pacific Division standings. Kobe Bryant and friends likely won't settle for that for long, however, as it'd be an uphill battle if they had to enter the playoffs as the sixth seed -- their current spot.
Bryant, along with teammate Andrew Bynum, was named one of ten 2012 NBA All-Star starters on Thursday night. The Black Mamba is also being touted by SB Nation's Tom Ziller as one of the top two candidates in the MVP race, but considering he's not No. 1, he'll likely be looking to take his rage out on someone ... and that someone, likely, is going to be Nuggets starting two-guard Arron Afflalo.
Afflalo was an underrated defender last season but, in a trend that happens all too often, he's become almost a bit overrated this season as it seems he's either dropped off a bit or last year's performance was just too difficult to maintain. He's still good, of course, but will likely have trouble containing a focused Bryant as the Lakers attempt to start their road-trip off on the right foot.
For more on the Lakers, be sure to check out Silver Screen and Roll. The best Nuggets blog on the web can be found at Denver Stiffs. For all things basketball, check out SB Nation's NBA page.
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