Ron Artest Suspended for Game 3 vs Dallas


No surprise here, as Artest receives the obligatory 1-game slap on the wrist from the League, forcing the Lakers to do something they rarely do (shuffle lineups): “As Phil Jackson expected, Ron Artest was suspended for 1 game for his 4th Q blow to J.J. Barea’s head. He’s out of Game 3. We’d expect Matt Barnes to get the start, while Luke Walton and particularly Kobe should see action at small forward … Phil Jackson does not like going away from his usual big man rotations, so this shouldn’t affect Odom’s role behind Bynum/Gasol … Phil Jackson, in a jovial mood, said he wouldn’t tell us who he’d start for Artest until he has to tomorrow.”