"It's on tonight"

Those are the words of the Black Mamba. There's a fun, brief video clip of him getting his knee wrapped in ice and everything. How pleasant. Things to look for in tonight's game against the Sonics...

1. Mamba's return (obviously). But the question is, will it alter the otherwise excellent chemistry shown by the Lakers in the first two games?

2. Mamba vs Ray Allen. Always a treat.

3. If the season ended after two games, Lamar Odom would have to be the heavy favorite for MVP. But it doesn't, so he isn't. However, Odom has been brilliant in Mamba's absence. Last season, he had a niggling penchant for settling into the background at times. One might think that Mamba's return tonight would reignite this bad habit. I don't think it will. Not this year. Odom is on a mission of redemption and rededication. Look for another inspired game out of him.

4. Who will Seattle start at center? Robert Swift is out for the year with a torn ACL and Mouhamed Sene was nothing short of comical against Portland on Wednesday. Sene is Project Central. Me? I'm hoping he starts again, though the coaching staff will probably think better of their previous mistake and go with Johan Petro. In either case, hopefully Andrew Bynum has recovered from the slight sprain that hampered him on Wednesday at Golden State.

5. Seattle has Allen and Rashard Lewis, sure, but we've got Kobe and Lamar. This game will be won at the 4-spot. Chris Wilcox and Danny Fortson represent a tough challenge on the blocks and Ronny Turiaf may be the only healthy Laker able to match them for intensity on the boards.

6. Jordan Farmar continues to snip minutes from Smush Parker. This is a very good thing. If Farmar isn't starting alongside Mamba by New Year's, it'll be because he's injured. No other possible explanation would be acceptable.

7. Nothing to do with the game, per se, but I have to say, the "Lights Out" promotion used on opening night was really cool. So cool, that it will continue all season long at Staples. There's something totally awesome about killing the houselights and having the court be the only thing lit in the whole arena. Before you say different, just know, I'm not wrong about that.