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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.
LAKER ROSTER: Shannon Brown
09.23.10
Over a period of several weeks this summer, I expected to hear that Shannon Brown would be playing for the Knicks or some other team this season. After all, he had opted out of his contract after contributing to the Laker’s back-to-back championships. There were rumors circulating of bigger salaries being offered. He had to know the Lakers, faced with having the league’s highest payroll, would already be making a hefty payment to the league because of the luxury tax. So in the end, after he received an extra year, a little more money and the privilege of continuing to get to play on a contending team, one concludes that it worked out well for all parties involved. I was pleasantly surprised, although the argument could be made that Brown is not indispensable. This 6’4″ 24 year old will be starting his fifth season in the pros after playing at Michigan State. He will have the primary function of backing up Kobe at shooting guard. NBA analysts talk about the Lakers being neither young nor athletic. Shannon Brown must be considered the exception to that statement, because of his youth and his vertical leap of 44.5″. Last season he played in every game, averaging 21 minutes and 8 points for the regular season and 14 minutes and 5 points for the playoffs. One hopes that with improved production from all off the bench, each starter will have a chance for more rest during the regular season and be in better physical condition when the playoffs start.
And after his playing days, Shannon can continue with his side interest of guest starring in music videos.
Check out Toni Braxton http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cETtDC59-I and Monica http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arCTOMGT9do
Lakers Off To Fast Start!
10.31.08
The Lakers are off to a fast start this season, thanks to a rejuvenated commitment at the defensive end, as well as a willingess to share the basketball.
The team has thoroughly dominated its first two opponents, a season-opening win against Portland 97-76 on Tuesday, and a demolshing of the Clippers, 117-79 on Wednesday night. The domination has also come on both ends of the floor as the Lakers have allowed just 36.4% shooting from the field, and have outrebounded both teams 100-76.
They have also shared the ball consistently, as evidenced by seven players being in double figures in points against the Clippers, and Kobe Bryant hasn’t been forced to shoulder the offensive load, averaging just 19.5 points and 32 minutes through the first two games. They also dished out 28 assists as a team in the win over the Clips.
The Lakers have one of their deepest teams in years, which should be a recipe for success if they can stay healthy. There are few teams that can go 10-12 deep in their roster and still get healthy contributions from guys at the end of the bench like the Lakers can.
Andrew Bynum in the middle will help a team that was pushed around inside by the more physical Boston Celtics in last year’s NBA Finals. The concerns about the team’s toughness up front should not be an issue this season, as long as Bynum can remain healthy. And the Lakers hope he can since they just signed him to a 4-year/$58 million extension this week.
Eighty-two games is a lot of basketball, but if the Lakers’ start to the campaign is any indication of how this season will go, Laker fans may once again get to enjoy one of those parade thingies down Figueroa in June.
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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