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Lakers Run By Shaq and Suns!
11.21.08
It was close for the first half, but the Lakers’ bench flexed their muscle and dominated the second, beating the Phoenix Suns easily 105-92 in Phoenix on Thursday.
Kobe Bryant led all scorers with 24 points, but shot only 8-23 from the field. That was no matter, as the Lakers’ bench piled up 43 points and were led by Lamar Odom‘s 13 points, Jordan Farmar‘s 11, and Trevor Ariza‘s 10.
The Lakers led 50-44 at the half, but turned up the defensive intensity in the second half. They led by as many as 18 points and cruised to the victory. The Suns shot only 44.2% from the floor, and committed 15 turnovers, to the Lakers 7.
Former Laker, Shaquille O’Neal, had a solid game, scoring 15 points and grabbing nine rebounds, but he didn’t get much help. Amare Stoudemire led the Suns with 21 points, but missed several lay-ups and was mostly relegated to being a spot-up jump shooter.
There were few remnants of the Suns’ former quick-strike offense, as new coach Terry Porter has insisted the team pound the ball into Shaq first. As a result, Steve Nash, who looks very pedestrian in this new offense, scored just 8 points, none until the middle of third quarter.
The Lakers play host to Denver on Friday, as part of a back-to-back. It will be the first chance to see the Nuggets with Chauncey Billups running the point.
Shaq Sits, Lakers Blow Past Grizzlies 121-89
11.23.03
Even without Shaquille O’Neal, the Lakers put on one of their most impressive displays of the season, routing the Memphis Grizzlies 121-89 on Sunday night at home.
With O’Neal nursing a strained calf, the Lakers never missed a beat. Kobe Bryant helped pick up the slack, leading all players with 28 points. Karl Malone also had a very strong game, tallying 20 points and 10 rebounds in just 26 minutes, and Gary Payton chipped in with 17 points and 10 assists.
The Lakers blew what was a tight game open late in the second quarter, taking a 59-48 lead into the locker room, and leading 90-67 after three quarters.
For the game, the Lakers shot 59% from the field (45-of-76) and 90% (27-of-30), as they scored a season high 121 points. They also held the Grizzlies to 42% from the field, and forced Memphis into a season-high 24 turnovers.
The Lakers bench provided some big contributions. Slava Medvedenko, playing in his first game of the year because of a bruised heel, scored 14 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in 30 minutes. He also made seven of his eight shots from the floor. Bryon Russell had his second straight strong game, scoring 12 points on 5-of-6 from the field.
The Grizzlies were led by Shane Battier, who led the team with 18 points, coming off of the bench.
The Lakers next game is Wednesday at Staples Center against the Washington Wizards. Shaquille O’Neal’s availability will again be a game-time decision.
Link: LakerStats.com Box Score
Link: NBA.com Recap
Lakers Roll Over Warriors 87-72
11.02.03
It may not have been pretty, but the Los Angeles Lakers moved to 3-0 on the young season, as they beat the Golden State Warriors 87-72 behind Kobe Bryant‘s 21 points.
The game was marred by sloppy play, as both teams combined for 37 turnovers. The Lakers managed to overcome shooting just 43% from the floor as they led the game wire to wire. The Warriors shot an even more miserable 37% from the field, and managed to hit only 20% (3 of 15) from beyond the arc.
Bryant led all scorers with 21 points, he also had five steals, and looked much more fluid in his second game back. He also played 35 minutes after logging 37 last night in Phoenix.
Shaquille O’Neal put up 17 points and 14 rebounds, Karl Malone added 16, and Gary Payton chipped in with 10 points and 11 assists. Devean George continues to benefit from starting with the “Fab Four,” as he had another strong game, scoring 12 points on 6-9 shooting and grabbing seven rebounds.
The Lakers will spend the next week on the road, for a tough four-game road trip which will take them to Milwaukee, San Antonio, New Orleans, and Memphis. The team will need to play with more intensity on the road than they did this night, especially with a showdown against the World Champion Spurs on Thursday.
The Warriors, who were missing several players, including starting guard Jason Richardson (serving the final game of a three-game suspension), were led by Clifford Robinson’s 19 points. Erick Dampier also grabbed a game and career-high 23 rebounds.
Link: LakerStats.com Box Score
Link: NBA.com Recap
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