2 keys to tonight's Bucks-Lakers game

There are two pivotal matchups you should be watching in tonight's Bucks vs. Lakers game at the Bradley Center. Who wins them will likely decide who wins the game.

1. The Two Andys

Andrew Bynum was selected 9 spots below Andrew Bogut in the 2005 draft. You wouldn't be able to guess that by looking at each player's production numbers. If you look at 82games' "Production by Position" statistics, the Bucks are getting killed at the center position, where they are -4.4 PER, and the Lakers are winning at center, where they are +4.2 PER. If the Bucks are going to beat this very good Laker team, Bogut must show up and show up big against his younger counterpart. He can't get a bunch of silly fouls early, and he has to rebound and score effectively, while limiting Bynum's offense.

2. Redd vs. Kobe

Historically, Kobe Bryant has given Michael Redd fits. Nobody defends Redd better than Bryant does. That said, last season Redd sort of broke through against Kobe. However, Bryant is now playing some of the best basketball of his career, as he is destroying his 2 guard opposition. If the Bucks are going to win, Redd has to play Kobe tough on the defensive end, and somehow find a way to break free of the vise grip Kobe usually puts on him on the offensive end. I think the key to any success Redd might have on offense is to attack Bryant off the dribble. Conversely, on defense he must limit Bryant's ability to get into the paint. Keep an eye on that.