This Saturday a potentially Kobe-less Lakers travel to Portland to take on a Blazers team that may be without Brandon Roy.

Los Angeles Lakers (38-12, 1^st in Western Conference) @ Portland Trail Blazers (30-22, 7^th in western Conference)
Spread: Lakers -6
Over/Under: 197
Money Line: Lakers -260, Blazers +185

Why the Blazers will win

The Portland Trail Blazers have played admirably since G Brandon Roy went down with a hamstring injury. He has missed 11 of the Blazers last 12 games and the Blazers are 6-6 in that span (Roy played 18 minutes in a Jan 15^th game at Philly and was shut down afterward). The Blazers have been staying afloat in the tough Western Conference due to the consistent play of F/C LaMarcus Aldridge. Aldridge has seen his scoring, rebounding and minutes go up as a result of the injury and has become the focal point for the team on both sides of the ball. PG Andre Miller has played well in Roy’s absence with more freedom to run the offense. In an overtime victory at Dallas, Miller put up 52 points.

If the Kobe Bryant does not play in this game, a lot of the Lakers’ advantage goes out the window as they will have to turn to Shannon Brown and Jordan Farmar to do all the leg work at the guard position. The Lakers big will give the Blazers trouble, but at home with Aldridge playing better than he has ever played, this game could sway in the Blazers favor.

Why the Lakers will win

The LA Lakers are the NBA’s defending champs. Kobe Bryant has played over 250 straight games without a rest and has seemed like nothing could stop him. Kobe now has to deal with a sprained ankle on top of his broken finger which has affected his shooting as well as being just banged up in general. Kobe is a hard man to tell to sit out a game or two, but Phil Jackson has hinted that Bryant will possibly sit in this upcoming game.

With or without Bryant, the Lakers have a bevy of talent that can make teams crumble in their wake. C Pau Gasol, C Andrew Bynum, F Lamar Odom and F Ron Artest make up this tall, physical and athletic front court that is unparalleled throughout the league. With an emerging Jordan Farmar at point, this team is difficult to beat. The loss of Bryant means a loss of a clutch performer and the guy that players would look to in key moments. Someone else will have to step up and fill that void, because this game could come down to the wire especially if Roy can play.

Who will win?

Prediction: The Lakers playing without Kobe for a night away from the Staples Center against a team that is used to playing together now without their star guard could turn into a close game and a potential loss for the Lakers. If Roy can go, the Blazers certainly have the advantage.

Final: Blazers 99 - Lakers 98. Take the Blazers with the points.