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Archive for December, 2003
Lakers Extend Streak to 27, Beat Knicks 98-90
12.10.03
The New York Knicks are the last road team to win a regular season game at Staples Center, dating back to last February. Lightning didn’t strike twice on Tuesday, as the Lakers dispatched the New Yorkers 98-90 to run their home winning streak to 27 games.
Kobe Bryant led a very-balanced Laker attack, which featured five players in double-figures, led by Bryant’s 21, and nine assists. Karl Malone added 20 points on 9-of-15 from the floor.
A rejuvenated Shaquille O’Neal scored 18 points, grabbed 15 rebounds, and had four blocked shots, as he continues to provide an inspired defensive presence. Gary Payton scored 17.
The Knicks got off to a quick start, and scored the game’s first nine points and led 25-18 after one quarter. But turnovers hurt the Knicks all night, and by halftime, New York found themselves down by 12.
The Lakers never completely put the Knicks away, but they never allowed them to get closer than six points in the second half. The Lakers forced 21 New York turnovers, and scored 19 fast-break points which helped to offset being out-rebounded 52-38.
For the game, the Lakers shot 43.0% from the field, to the Knicks’ 42.4%. The Lakers made 28-of-39 free throws, while New York made 13 of 17.
The Knicks were led by Shandon Anderson and Howard Eisley who each scored 26 points. New York was playing without their leading scorer Allan Houston, who is nursing a knee injury.
The Lakers’ next game is Friday against the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center, as they try to extend their home regular season winning streak to 28.
Link: LakerStats.com Box Score
Link: NBA.com Recap
Laker Win Eighth Straight, Rout Mavs 114-103
12.04.03
In a game that wasn’t nearly as close as the final score, the Lakers continued their domination over the Mavericks, as they cruised to their eighth straight win, 114-103 in Dallas on Thursday night.
For the second straight night, Shaquille O’Neal was a monster on the defensive end. He controlled the defensive glass, blocked shots, and forced the Mavs into several ill-advised shots. He finished the game with 25 points, 19 rebounds, five assists, and three blocked shots.
The Lakers took the lead from opening tip, and getting up by as much 27-11 in the first quarter. They led the game 51-42 at halftime, and Dallas never really seriously challenged the rest of the way.
The Mavs struggled from the floor all game, as the Lakers’ defense held the high-scoring team to 37.4% shooting (37-of-99) from the field. The Lakers shot 44.2% (38-of-86) from the floor and made 31-of-40 (77.5%) from the charity stripe.
Kobe Bryant led all scorers with 32 points. Gary Payton scored 17 and dished out eight assists, and Karl Malone added 11 points, nine rebounds, and six assists.
Steve Nash led Dallas with 30 points and eight assists, and was the recipient of two stitches after being hit in the mouth with a Malone elbow in the third quarter. The Mavs played without leading scorer Dirk Nowitski, who has an inured ankle.
The Lakers have now beaten the Mavericks 46 of the last 51 times the two teams have met. The Lakers current eight-game winning streak is their longest in two seasons.
The Lakers next game is Sunday night at Staples Center against the Utah Jazz.
Link: LakerStats.com Box Score
Link: NBA.com Recap
Lakers Beat Spurs Again, 90-86
12.04.03
For the third time this season, the Los Angeles Lakers have rediscovered their winning ways against the San Antonio Spurs. This time, they beat the champs 90-86 at the SBC Center in San Antonio on Wednesday night.
The Lakers used a stifling fourth quarter defense to turn a nine-point third quarter deficit into a four-point victory. The Spurs shot only 16.7% (3-of-18) from the field in the final quarter, and Shaquille O’Neal contributed five of his game-high nine blocks in the quarter to seal the win.
Devean George, who kept the Lakers in the game with some early hot shooting, finished with 18 points on 7-of-13 from the field, and 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. Karl Malone scored 16 and grabbed 10 rebounds, while Gary Payton added 16 points and six assists.
The Spurs led the game in the first half by as many as 15 points, but simply could not hold the lead as the Lakers applied defensive pressure throughout the second half. After shooting over 50% from the field for most of the game, the Spurs finished at only 41.7%, the Lakers at 42.3%. The Lakers also forced 20 San Antonio miscues, turning them into 22 points.
The win was the Lakers seventh in a row, and they now own the season series against the Spurs, who dropped to 9-10 with the fourth consecutive loss. The Lakers are an NBA-best 15-3, 5-3 on the road.
Tim Duncan led the Spurs with 30 points and 15 rebounds, but he missed all five of his shots in the fourth quarter.
The Lakers finish up their two-game Texas trip tonight at Dallas, where the Mavs will most likely be without All-Star forward Dirk Nowitski, who is nursing a sore ankle.
Link: LakerStats.com Box Score
Link: NBA.com Recap
Phil Jackson Named NBA Coach of the Month
12.01.03
Phil Jackson, along with Indiana’s Rick Carlisle, were named NBA Coaches of the Month for games from October 28th through November.
The Lakers were 14-3 through November, and have won 25 straight home regular season games, including a 10-0 start this year. They’re also currently on a 6-game winning streak and have impressive blow-out wins over Indiana and San Antonio in the last week.
The Lakers are second in the league in scoring at 103.1 points per game, and in field goal percentage at .472.
Link: NBA.com – Carlisle, Jackson Named Coaches of the Month
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