Grizz vs Lakers- Keys to the game

It's a story of Grizzlife that the Grizzlies struggle to catch breaks. Tonight is no exception. After missing 5 games with a bum ankle, Kobe Bryant is set to return tonight at the FedEx Forum. The Lakers were just fine without him winning 4 of 5 while Bryant was out. Pau Gasol stepped up while Kobe was out averaging 18.4 ppg and 12.4 rpg. Let's hope Pau and the rest of the Lakers are a bit out of sync tonight with Kobe's return.

The Grizzlies have lost 4 straight at home and have only won 1 of the last 6 at home averaging just 92.7 ppg, but another win versus the Lakers would right all that wrong. Rudy has led the Grizz in scoring the last 2 games versus the Lakers averaging 23 in the 2 games, but it will take production from all 5 starters and the bench to be victorious.

With the loss of Brewer and the fatigue of the starters, a win tonight would be epic, but part of living the Grizzlife is believing in the miraculous. I've come up with a few keys to victory tonight:

1. Marc Gasol vs Andrew Bynum. Gasol and Bynum are two of the best up and coming, young centers in the NBA. Their numbers mirror each other (Gasol 15 ppg 9.4 rpg. Bynum 15 ppg and 8 rpg) with Gasol having a 1.4 rpg advantage. The Grizz need Gasol to win this match-up by 6 points and 4 rebounds.

2. Bench play. The Lakers' bench is one of the deepest in the NBA, but their production has been down this year. But the Lakers' bench down year is still far and above our bench's production, especially without Ronnie Brewer. It's unrealistic to ask our bench to match theirs, but our bench must contain the Lakers'.

Those are my two keys to the game. As always, let's hope Kobe has an off night. Last time Kobe played at the Forum, he passed the Logo for all time Laker scoring leader, and now he needs 34 points to pass Reggie Miller on the all-time scoring list. OJ and the Grizz need to keep him under that mark to have a chance tonight.

Let's win a big one and get back into the picture.

Go Grizz! Go Team USA!