Heat-Lakers matchup pits top scoring Kobe Bryant against 2nd place LeBron James

by David Dwork on Jan 18, 2012 7:20 PM EST

Thursday night at the AAA, the leagues top two scorers will face off against one another in a matchup that will capture every NBA fans eye. Kobe Bryant and his Los Angeles Lakers come to Miami to face LeBron James and the Heat, and both players have been scoring at a ridiculous pace this season. Kobe comes in averaging 30.8 points per game and had 4 straight games with at least 40 points last week. LeBron is right behind Kobe, putting up 29.8 points per game, though James' season-high is 37 and that came on opening day against Dallas.

LeBron is coming off of a strong outing against San Antonio on Tuesday night, recording a game-high 33 points, as well as a 35-point effort in the game before that in Denver. James has turned his game up a notch when his running partner Dwyane Wade has been out of the lineup, averaging 32.6 points in the three games he has played in without D-Wade. That could mean another big game is on the horizon for LeBron with Wade likely to miss the game against the Lakers as he heals up from ankle and foot injuries.

With this potential awesome matchup on the horizon, it gives us an opportunity for a fun poll. Enjoy...

Poll

Who will have a better scoring game on Thursday?

LeBron James

230 votes

Kobe Bryant

268 votes

498 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

This one will be interesting

This game may be the first one in which we actually miss the services of Big Z. His greatest contributions last season came in the wins against the Los Angeles Lakers. Z matched up against Pau Gasol in those games and—I thought—gave Gasol a look he was not accustomed to defensively with his length.

The Lakers are starting to look like contenders again, so they will be pumped for this one. Andrew Bynum has been playing his tail off, so the interior defense will need to step up big. They will also need to finish off defensive possessions with the rebound and not allow the Lakers to get two and three looks on one possession.

Heat fandom est. 2004

by sherman r on Jan 18, 2012 11:15 PM EST reply actions

I agree I wish we had Big Z on the bench just for his game...

last year he clogged up the middle with his size at least. Joel and Pitt will have a tough day. I’m hoping the Bosh from last night shows up, he looked great out there being aggressive on both ends. Hope Wade can go but if he is not healthy, sit em Spo, bring the D from the second half also Heat. Beat the Lakers!

GET TO THE RIM HEAT (and SKY)! ATTACK THE PAINT!

by mjtig on Jan 18, 2012 11:25 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Highly highly highly doubt Wade will play

He needs to be 100% before taking the floor again. He needs to stop rushing or else he’ll just re-injure that foot again. We don’t need him right now, we need playoff D-Wade

We Bout To Let These Haters Know..
This Heat Thing, IS MORE THAN HYPE

by 1-THE H3ATLES-6 on Jan 19, 2012 5:12 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

I agree, he is just so competitive...

that I’m sure he would push it to get out there even at 85%. I’m sure Spo will likely sit him

GET TO THE RIM HEAT (and SKY)! ATTACK THE PAINT!

by mjtig on Jan 19, 2012 6:24 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

I don't think he was at 85% when he got back out there last time

Coach should take the safe route and sit him 1-2 more games at least. It’s far more important to have him healthy a month or two from now than it is for him to play right now.

Heat fandom est. 2004

by sherman r on Jan 19, 2012 3:00 PM EST up reply actions

I don't know who will score more points.

It could be Kobe if he Plays 1 on 5 and chuck up a million and 1 shots and plays his season average of 37 mins a game. It could be LeBron if Bosh doesn’t bring his “A” game and we all know Mike Miller is capable of dropping points but I doubt he’ll contribute like he did the other night.

We Bout To Let These Haters Know..
This Heat Thing, IS MORE THAN HYPE

by 1-THE H3ATLES-6 on Jan 19, 2012 5:16 AM EST via mobile reply actions