Los Angeles Lakers Rosters, Statistics, Records, News, and More!
Celtics Defeat Lakers, Win 17th Championship
06.17.08
In a disappointing end to a wonderful season, the Boston Celtics dominated the Lakers 131-92, to claim their 17th NBA title, and their first in 22 years.
Despite the loss, the Lakers have plenty to be proud of. A team that most figured would win 40-45 games and compete for only the 7th or 8th spot in the West, wound up winning 57 games and earned the top seed in the most-competitive Western Conference ever. In addition, Kobe Bryant shook off his offseason turmoil and had his best team-oriented season, which culminated in him winning his first Most Valuable Player award.
This season also saw the emergence of center, Andrew Bynum, who took a giant step forward averaging 13.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 2.06 blocks before suffering a season-ending knee injury on January 13th. The Lakers also acquired Pau Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies in early February, which helped catapult the team back into contention in the West, after the devastating loss of Bynum.
The Lakers bench also proved to be a bright spot for the team all season, led by Sasha Vujacic, the 4th-year guard who had by far his best season averaging 8.8 points per game, and shooting .437 from the 3-point line. Second-year guard Jordan Farmar also showed great potential in his second year, raising his scoring to 9.1 points per game, more than doubling his output from 2006-07.
So while the season did end on a sour note, there is a huge upside for the Lakers and the future looks bright for another title run in 2008-09 and beyond.
Bryant/Vujacic Making Lakers Playoff History!
06.10.08
With his 36 points in Tuesday’s Game 3 NBA Finals win 87-81 over the Boston Celtics, Kobe Bryant has moved into fifth place on the Lakers’ all-time playoff scoring list with 3,622 points. He is just one point behind Elgin Baylor, and 79 behind Magic Johnson, who sits in third place. He’s also just one behind Byron Scott for fifth place on the team’s career playoff games played at 149.
With his 3-4 shooting from behind the 3-point line tonight, Sasha Vujacic is now the Lakers’ all-time playoff leader in 3-point field goal percentage at .454, passing Derek Fisher, who now sits at number two at .439. This is with a minimum of 30 career attempts.
To see other current Lakers’ playoff records, check out our Team Records page. It’s updated nightly after the games.
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
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