What It Means:

It looks like both guys are headed for a game-time decision, and if Kobe is unable to give it a go, Anthony Brown will earn another start. Nick Young will also have the opportunity for extended minutes. However, the primary beneficiaries will be Jordan Clarkson and Lou Williams.

Bryant owns a -10.9 nERD this season, which is last in the league. He's averaging 17.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game while posting a True Shooting Percentage of 45.5, the lowest of his career. We project Kobe to average 17.0 points, 5.2 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game over the remaining course of the season while shooting 41.0 percent from the field. At -9.6, Russell has the third-worst nERD this season. The rookie is averaging 11.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game while posting a 48.5 True Shooting Percentage. We project Russell to average 12.2 points, 3.9 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game over the remaining course of the season.