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Brett
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Shaq Leads Lakers to Win Over Pistons 94-89
11.14.03
Behind a dominating second half from Shaquille O’Neal, the Los Angeles won their 19th straight regular season home game, beating the Detroit Pistons 94-89 on Friday night.
The winning streak marks the team’s longest home run since they won 24 straight during the 1987-88 to 1988-89 seasons. The Lakers last loss came to the New York Knicks on February 16, 2003, 117-110. The team did lose twice in the playoffs last season.
The Lakers led the game early by 12, but found themselves in a dogfight by halftime, tied at 45.
O’Neal, who scored just six points in the first half, dominated the second, scoring 15 of his team-high 21 points. He narrowly missed a triple-double, as he also tallied 15 rebounds and eight assists. He also iced the game with two free throws in the final 20 seconds.
Gary Payton shared high scoring honors with O’Neal, as he also registered 21 points, and hit a clutch 3-point basket in the closing minutes to push the Laker lead to 90-83. “The Glove” has been struggling from beyond the arc so far this season, making only 4-of-18 prior to his 4th quarter basket.
Karl Malone, playing with a sore hamstring, scored 16 and grabbed nine rebounds, and Kobe Bryant, fresh off his return from a Colorado courtroom, chipped in with 16 points.
The Lakers defense held the Pistons to 43% shooting (37-of-87) from the field, and only 2-of-10 from beyond the arc, while shooting 47% themselves (36-of-76) from the floor.
Chauncey Billups had a strong night, scoring a game-high 29 points. He got little help from his teammates however, as Elden Campbell was the only other Piston in double-figures in scoring with 12.
The Lakers try to extend their home winning streak to 20 when they face the struggling Miami Heat on Sunday.
Link: LakerStats.com Box Score
Link: NBA.com Recap
Lakers End Slide, Beat Raptors 94-79
11.12.03
After dropping their last two on the road, the Los Angeles Lakers returned home to Staples Center and re-established a defensive presence, beating the Toronto Raptors 94-79.
The Lakers led the game the entire way, and showed several flashes of the dominance that people expect with a lineup that includes Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, Karl Malone, and Gary Payton. They stretched the lead to as many as 20 in the third quarter, and coasted to the easy victory.
The Lakers defense re-emerged, as the Raptors shot just 35% (24-of-69) from the field, and turned the ball over 19 times. The Lakers on the other hand, were able to get a strong performance down low from O’Neal, who led the team with 23 points and 14 rebounds. Shaq hit 9-of-12 from the floor, but continues to struggle from the free throw line, making only five of 15 attempts.
The Lakers offensive balance also returned as Bryant scored 19, Malone 17, and Payton with 16. Still more production is needed from the bench, as they contributed only 13 points, seven of them by Derek Fisher.
In a game marred by some poor shooting and some sloppy play, the Lakers turned a 10-point halftime lead into a 65-45 blowout midway through the 3rd quarter, on the strength of their defense and ability to get easy transition baskets. The added pressure on defense allowed the Lakers offense to flow more smoothly from time to time, but still isn’t consistent enough yet.
The Raptors, who fell to 0-4 on the road, were led by Vince Carter, who scored 23 points but hit only 7-of-22 shots, including 1-of-6 from beyond the arc. Morris Petersen scored 16, and Lamond Murray chipped in 15 off the bench.
The Lakers next game is Friday against the Detroit Pistons at Staples Center.
Link: LakerStats.com Box Score
Link: NBA.com Recap
Lakers Defense A Problem, Lose to the Grizz 105-95
11.10.03
If the Los Angeles Lakers don’t start to play some defense, there is no possible way they will regain the NBA title come June. Monday night’s game in Memphis was another shining example of what is turning into a major achilles heel for the team.
The Grizzlies dominated the game after the 1st quarter, stretching their lead to 16 after three quarters, and the Lakers got no closer than seven after that.
Memphis shot over 50% from the floor for most of the game, before a 4th quarter slide dropped them to a still respectable 49%. The Lakers again tried to rally with a furious 4th quarter comeback, but simply could net get enough defensive stops to get back in the game.
Shaquille O’Neal led the Lakers with 20 points and 12 rebounds, but only managed to take 14 shots in 41 minutes. Kobe Bryant again struggled for most of the game, hitting only 5-of-15 shots, although he did finish with 19 points, but six turnovers.
Gary Payton, nursing a sore ankle he sprained in practice on Sunday, played only 27 minutes, scoring six points on 3-of-6 from the field. The Lakers bench continues to do nothing aside from Derek Fisher who scored 9 points.
Devean George was one of the few Laker bright spots. He scored 17 points, made 6-of-7 shots, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. The Lakers only shot 44% from the field for the game.
The Grizzlies were led by Pau Gasol who scored 22 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Memphis’ defense played well all night as, they forced the Lakers into 23 turnovers, including a stunning 17 steals.
The Lakers return home for three games starting Wednesday against Toronto at Staples Center. The Lakers finished their road trip with a 2-2 record, and are now riding a two-game losing streak after winning their first five games to start the season.
Bottom line, the Lakers need to play better defense and stop turning the ball over if they expect to win games, especially on the road.
Link: LakerStats.com Box Score
Link: NBA.com Recap
Lakers Run Out of Gas in “Big Easy”
11.07.03
Fresh off their double-overtime marathon on Thursday in San Antonio, the Lakers had little left in the tank for their Friday night battle in New Orleans, and suffered their first loss of the season, 114-95.
The Lakers were a visibly tired basketball team the whole night. They found themselves down seven after one quarter, and 17 by the end of the third quarter. The Hornets were red hot all night, shooting a fantastic 57% from the field, and 52% (12-of-23) from beyond the arc as they moved to 5-1 on the season.
Kobe Bryant struggled all night. He managed to hit only 4-of-14 shots, scoring just 11 points in 37 minutes. Shaquille O’Neal was the team’s high-scorer, tallying 21 points, and six rebounds.
The Lakers’ “Fantastic Four” never could get their games in synch. Karl Malone played only 28 minutes, took only seven shots, and scored just 10 points. Gary Payton had similar struggles, scoring only seven points on 3-of-10 shooting. He did hand out a team-high 11 assists however.
For the game, the Lakers shot only 46% from the field and a miserable 30% (6-for-20) from the 3-point line. They were also out-rebounded 36 to 32.
The Hornets were led by Baron Davis, who had a stellar night, scoring 23 points, and dishing out 12 assists. He also hit 4-of-9 from beyond the arc.
The Lakers will welcome two days off, as they prepare for their final game on this road trip, Monday night in Memphis against Jerry West‘s Grizzlies.
Link: LakerStats.com Box Score
Link: NBA.com Recap
Lakers Win Barn-Burner in San Antonio, 120-117
11.06.03
It took two overtimes, a Tim Duncan injury, and some clutch performances from Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant for the Lakers to finally win a game at the SBC Center.
The Lakers had dropped all five of their games at the Spurs’ new arena, and needed to dig out of a 9-point 4th quarter hole to force overtime and eventually get the win, 120-117.
Despite missing league MVP Tim Duncan, and staring point guard Tony Parker, the world champs gave the Lakers all they could handle before finally succumbing in the second overtime. They hit only three of their last 19 shots.
Bryant led all scorers with 37 points, and O’Neal dominated the paint, scoring 35 points, grabbing 20 rebounds, and blocking four shots. He also hit the game-winning free throws. O’Neal entered the game shooting only 32% of the line on the young season before hitting 11-of-16 against the Spurs.
Karl Malone, who struggled with his shot all night and eventually fouled out, did manage to score 15 points and grab 19 rebounds. Gary Payton added 16 points and Derek Fisher scored 11 off the bench.
The Spurs were led by Manu Ginobili, who scored a career-high 33 points to go along with 12 rebounds.
The Lakers win moves them to 5-0 on the season, and their next game is tommorrow night in New Orleans, against a Hornets team playing very well at 4-1.
Link: LakerStats.com Box Score
Link: NBA.com Recap
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