Preview: Kobe Bryant to sit out against Brooklyn Nets to rest shoulder
Kobe Bryant tries to drive against Nets forward Joe Johnson during a game on Nov. 6.
Kobe Bryant will sit out Tuesday night when the Lakers (11-49) host the Brooklyn Nets (17-43) at Staples Center.
The Lakers All-Star will miss his second straight game to rest his surgically repaired right shoulder, after missing the team’s 112-95 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday.
Bryant is expected to travel to Denver after the game Tuesday, with hopes he’ll be able to play against the Nuggets.
Rookie forward Anthony Brown is likely to start in Bryant’s place against Brooklyn.
Now on an eight-game losing streak, the Lakers have had three full days to practice in anticipation of the Nets.
Brooklyn will play without Jarrett Jack (knee) and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (ankle), while former Lakers guard Wayne Ellington is a game-time decision (head).
The Nets recently waived veteran guard/forward Joe Johnson, who has since joined the Miami Heat. Brooklyn played the Clippers on Monday night, falling to the Clippers 105-95.
Key matchup
The Nets are led by one of the top offensive centers in the league in Brook Lopez, who is averaging 20.5 points a game, while shooting 50.8% from the field.
Lopez is a somewhat average rebounder for a seven-footer at 8.2 a night. He also blocks 1.8 shots and dishes 1.8 assists per contest.
The Lakers will match up defense-minded center Roy Hibbert against Lopez. Hibbert doesn’t get many shots per game (5.4), averaging just 6.3 points but he has the size to contest Lopez.
Behind Hibbert, Brandon Bass (at 6-foot-8) will need to challenge Lopez with energy, effort and agility.
X-factor
The Nets get most of their offense from their front court with Lopez and forward Thaddeus Young.
Young is averaging 15.0 points and 9.1 rebounds a game, shooting 51.1% from the field.
Julius Randle represents the Lakers well at power forward as a “walking double-double,” as termed by Coach Byron Scott. On the season, he’s at 11.3 points and 10.0 rebounds a night. In February, Randle up-ticked through 10 appearances at 12.9 and 11.8, respectively.
Outlook
Even without Bryant, the Lakers are well-rested and should be able to hand the Nets, who are playing on back-to-back nights.
Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus
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