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Lakers Beat Nets, Win Streak Up To 7
01.15.11
Kobe Bryant makes circus shot against Nets.
The New Jersey Nets, one of the league’s doormats, certainly has not made life easy for the defending NBA champs in two games this season. The Lakers had their hands full again on Friday night, but led by Kobe Bryant, were able to get a 100-88 win over the Nets at Staples Center.
Bryant scored a team-high 27 points, to go along with four assists and four rebounds, as the Lakers beat the Nets for the seventh straight time. But it wasn’t easy.
The Nets led after one quarter 24-22, as Brook Lopez shredded the Lakers down low all game long. The Lakers recpatured the lead 45-40 by halftime, but never were able to shake New Jersey completely in the second half.
During the second 24 minutes, the Lakers had the lead up to double-digits on a few occasions, but the Nets simply would not go away, led by the play of Lopez and former Lakers Jordan Farmar and Sasha Vujacic. And with all the Carmelo Anthony trade rumors surrounding team, their focused effort was even more impressive.
The Lakers made enough good plays in the fourth quarter and kept the visitors at arm’s length to get the win. It was Los Angeles’ seventh straight victory, their longest since opening the season with eight consecutive wins.
Pau Gasol scored 20 points and grabbed nine rebounds in under 33 minutes. He also blocked four shots. Lamar Odom had 14 points and a 11 rebounds off the bench, and Ron Artest played a solid game, scoring 14 points on 5-7 shooting from the field. Andrew Bynum was in foul trouble all game long, and managed just two points and five rebounds in 22 minutes.
The Lakers shot 49.3% (35-71) from the field, hit 25-35 free throws, and committed only nine turnovers. Their downfall was on the glass, as the Nets held the rebound edge 45-38, including 15-7 at the offensive end. The second chances allowed New Jersey to take 14 more shots from the field, which kept them in the game, despite shooting just 42.4% (36-85) from the floor.
Lopez had a huge game, with 35 points on 13-19 from the floor. He was just two off his career-high of 37 points. He also added six rebounds and four assists.
Farmar and Vujacic got warm ovations from Lakers’ fans in their first games back at Staples Center. Vujacic was second on the team in scoring, tallying 17 points on 7-16 from the field off the bench. Farmar also had a nice game with 12 points, also coming off the bench. They were the only two players in double-figures besides Lopez.
The Lakers next game is Sunday at Staples Center against the Clippers. The Clippers will be the designated home team for the game, and are playing much better ball as of late, including a shocking 111-105 win over the Miami Heat on Wednesday. The Lakers beat the Clippers 87-86 back on December 8th, on a running layup by Derek Fisher at the buzzer.
Lakers Sudden Skid Reaches Three
12.01.10
Kobe Bryant bottled up in Memphis.
It wasn’t that long ago the Lakers started the year 8-0, and discussions began to creep up how this team might challenge the Bulls’ magical 72-10 record. Now just ten games later, the team is searching for answers, as they have dropped three straight following Tuesday’s 98-96 loss in Memphis against the Grizzlies.
In a recurring theme over the last week, the defense continues to struggle, allowing yet another sub-.500 team to shoot well, as Memphis hit 48.8% from the field, and 8-12 (66.7%) from the three-point line, and seemingly scored at will down the stretch of the game.
The struggles also continued on the offensive end, as the Lakers, once leading the league in scoring at over 112 points per game, now have scored less than 100 in their last four games, shooting another miserable 43.6% from the floor, and an even worse 7-22 (31.8%) from the three-point line.
Kobe Bryant led all scorers with 29 points, but again struggled with his shot, hitting just 9-25 from the field. He did also had seven rebounds and five assists. Pau Gasol continues to play too many minutes, as he logged just under 45 on Tuesday, scoring 15 points and grabbing 14 rebounds, despite shooting just 5-13 from the floor.
Despite all the issues, the Lakers trailed by only two at halftime 51-49, but fell down by as many as 13 in the fourth quarter, before a late rally got them back in the game. Ron Artest hit a three-pointer to cut the lead to 98-94 with just over a minute left.
After the Lakers scored to make it 98-96, they were able to force a Grizzly turnover with 14 seconds left in the game, and decided not to call timeout to set up a play. Bryant dribbled up court and drove to the middle of the lane, but lost the ball in mid-air and was forced to pass out to Ron Artest, who had his last ditch attempt blocked by Rudy Gay to seal the win for the Grizzlies. Artest finished with 12 points.
Mike Conley scored a season-high 28 points on 10-13 shooting, inciuding 4-5 beyond the arc. Rudy Gay only had 14 points, but had six big blocks, including the one on Artest as time ran out. The Grizzlies had six players score in double-figures, and turned the ball over only seven times.
The loss dropped the Lakers to 13-5, and they are now shockingly sitting in fourth place in the Western Conference, 2 1/2 games behind the San Antonio Spurs, who continue to play very well at 15-2.
The Lakers conclude their short two-game trip on Wednesday in Houston, in the second of a back-to-back set. The Rockets are without center Yao Ming, and most-likely without starting point guard Aaron Brooks, both out with injuries.
Kobe Has Triple-Double as Lakers Down Kings
11.03.10
Kobe Bryant had 17th career triple-double against Kings.
Kobe Bryant has always made it a habit of playing well against the Sacramento Kings during his career. He didn’t disappoint Wednesday, collecting his 17th career triple-double as the Lakers beat the Kings 112-100 at Arco Arena.
Bryant came out focused from the start, aggressive on the offensive and defensive ends. He forced Tyreke Evans into early foul trouble, and was able to take advantage of smaller defenders as he picked the Kings’ defense apart for 30 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds. It was Bryant’s first triple-double since January 21, 2009 against the Clippers.
Pau Gasol had another good night with 22 points, 11 rebounds, and two blocks, taking advantage of rookie DeMarcus Cousins in the post all night, and forcing him into five fouls. Lamar Odom continued to play inspired ball to the start the season, scoring 18 points on 8-12 from the field, with eight rebounds. He also shook off jamming the thumb on his shooting hand in the third quarter. Ron Artest had his best game of the new season, scoring 17 points on 7-11 from the floor, and 3-4 from beyond the arc.
The Lakers led 62-53 at halftime, and pushed the lead to 20 midway through the third at 82-62. The Kings rallied and got as close as 98-92 halfway through the fourth, before Derek Fisher scored seven straight points to put the Lakers comfortably ahead for good 105-92. Fisher finished the night with 11 points.
It was a well-played, hard-fought game throughout as the teams combined for only 14 turnovers. The Lakers had turned the ball over 39 times their previous two games, but only had 6 giveaways against the Kings. The Lakers again were strong from the 3-point line, hitting 11-21 (52.4%).
Tyreke Evans led the Kings with 21 points, despite being in foul trouble, shooting 10-17 from the floor. Carl Landry and Beno Udrih had 17 points, and Francisco Garcia also poured in 17 off the bench for the Kings, who had gotten off to a surprising 3-1 start.
The Lakers have started the season 5-0 for the seventh time in franchise history. Their next game is Friday night at home against the Toronto Raptors, who were pasted in Utah on Wednesday 125-108.
Link: Lakers @ Kings Box Score
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