Kings 108
Salmons 24pts; Brown 21 pts, 7 ast; Thompson 15 pts, 7 rebs;
Lakers 118
Bryant 24 pts, 6 ast; Gasol 16 pts, 7 rebs; Bynum 14 pts, 10 rebs
It wasn’t the best of performances but the Lakers did enough to see them past the Kings to take their fourth straight win Sunday night.
Poor defense and ball handling throughout gave Sacramento lots of opportunities for easy scores most of which they took, shooting 53.4 percent from the field. But double-digit scoring from eight different players, not for the first time this season saved the home side.
Kobe top scored with 24 points and dropped six assists while Andrew Bynum continues to show why the Lakers were so desperate to hang on to him with ten boards to go along with his 14 points.
This was by no means an impressive victory, almost blowing a 19 point lead at one stage, but the important thing was they picked up the win to remain the best in the West and keep the momentum up going into Tuesday night’s home match against the Nets.
Monday, 24 November 2008
Friday, 21 November 2008
All Star 2009 Voting Opened
To The ballots for this year’s NBA All Star game in Phoenix, Arizona have been opened. You can now go online and vote for your favourite NBA players to represent their conference in the league’s annual marquee event.
To vote visit:
http://www.nba.com/allstar2009/asb/eng/landing.jsp?referrer=NBA
Sunday, 16 November 2008
Pistons stop Lakers’ run at seven
Detroit Pistons 106
Wallace 25 pts, 13 rebs; Iverson 25 pts; Prince 18 pts
Lakers 95
Bryant 29 pts, 6 ast; Gasol 15 pts, 10 rebs; Odom 11 pts
Allen Iverson registered his highest point tally for his new team, the Pistons as they beat the Lakers for the eighth-time in their last ten meetings to halt the Lakers’ unbeaten start to the season.
The Lakers had one of their worse shooting nights of this fledging season, connecting on just 42 percent from the field. The Pistons on the other hand had one of their better nights, shooting 51 percent from the field, with Rasheed Wallace shooting particularly well, hitting 4-of-9 from three-point range.
Wallace caused the Lakers big problems playing at the center position, his ability to shoot and carry the ball better than most centers dragged the defense apart, making room for drives to the basket, which Iverson in particular exploited.
One of the more surprising performances of the night was that of former Laker, Kwame Brown. Returning to Staples for the first time since his summer switch, Brown was able to ignore the jeers of the home crowd to record a double-double.
There were few positives to be taken from this contest from the Lakers’ point of view but one could be the 11 points Lamar Odom contributed from the bench. Another, the milestone Kobe Bryant reached. Kobe’s 29 point haul allowed him to pass both former Celtic Larry Bird’s and former Laker Gary Payton’s career points totals to become the 21st highest scoring player in NBA history with (21,817).
Perhaps typically of this match, Iverson overshadowed Kobe’s achievement, moving to no.19 on the all time list, passing Elgin Baylor (23,149) with his 25 points on the night.
The Lakers will hope they can bounce straight back from this disappointing defeat when they face the Bulls at home on Tuesday.
Luol Deng and the Bulls haven’t made the start to the season they would have hoped for but have experienced a resurgence of late and will be playing with some confidence, so the Lakers will have to perform a lot better than they did in this one if they hope to take anything from it.
Wallace 25 pts, 13 rebs; Iverson 25 pts; Prince 18 pts
Lakers 95
Bryant 29 pts, 6 ast; Gasol 15 pts, 10 rebs; Odom 11 pts
Allen Iverson registered his highest point tally for his new team, the Pistons as they beat the Lakers for the eighth-time in their last ten meetings to halt the Lakers’ unbeaten start to the season.
The Lakers had one of their worse shooting nights of this fledging season, connecting on just 42 percent from the field. The Pistons on the other hand had one of their better nights, shooting 51 percent from the field, with Rasheed Wallace shooting particularly well, hitting 4-of-9 from three-point range.
Wallace caused the Lakers big problems playing at the center position, his ability to shoot and carry the ball better than most centers dragged the defense apart, making room for drives to the basket, which Iverson in particular exploited.
One of the more surprising performances of the night was that of former Laker, Kwame Brown. Returning to Staples for the first time since his summer switch, Brown was able to ignore the jeers of the home crowd to record a double-double.
There were few positives to be taken from this contest from the Lakers’ point of view but one could be the 11 points Lamar Odom contributed from the bench. Another, the milestone Kobe Bryant reached. Kobe’s 29 point haul allowed him to pass both former Celtic Larry Bird’s and former Laker Gary Payton’s career points totals to become the 21st highest scoring player in NBA history with (21,817).
Perhaps typically of this match, Iverson overshadowed Kobe’s achievement, moving to no.19 on the all time list, passing Elgin Baylor (23,149) with his 25 points on the night.
The Lakers will hope they can bounce straight back from this disappointing defeat when they face the Bulls at home on Tuesday.
Luol Deng and the Bulls haven’t made the start to the season they would have hoped for but have experienced a resurgence of late and will be playing with some confidence, so the Lakers will have to perform a lot better than they did in this one if they hope to take anything from it.
Friday, 14 November 2008
Lakers stay perfect in Big Easy
Lakers 93
Bryant 20 pts, 6 ast; Fisher 20 pts; Bynum 14 pts, 8 rebs
New Orleans Hornets 86
Paul 30 pts, 13 ast; West 21 pts, 12 rebs; Stojakovic 10 pts
The Lakers were able to hold off a late charge from Chris Paul and the Hornets Wednesday night, as they remained the only unbeaten team in the league.
Despite another incredible double-double from Paul, the Lakers never trailed in this game although they were made to work for this win late on.
Treevor Ariza once again showed great energy off the bench to be a real offensive threat as well as a thorn in the side of the Hornets on defense, chipping in with ten points. Derek Fisher also contributed a Lakers’ high 20 points, with 15 of them coming in the opening three quarters.
However, it was a Bryant three-pointer in the face of James Posey with just over a minute left which all but secured the Lakers’ second road win in as many days. Prior to this, the Hornets had been on a frantic 17-4 run which had brought them back to within six at 86-80.
But Kobe was able to silence the ever vocal New Orleans crowd, and demoralise former team mate and friend Byron Scott with a trademark, dagger three. Kobe would have enjoyed this all the more for the fact that he was being guarded by one of the men who had denied him his ring this summer.
The Lakers now return home to Staples Center to face Allen Iverson and his new team the Detroit Pistons as the only unbeaten side in the league, following Atlanta’s defeat in Boston, and will look to keep this momentum going to stay on top in this extremely competitive Western Conference.
Bryant 20 pts, 6 ast; Fisher 20 pts; Bynum 14 pts, 8 rebs
New Orleans Hornets 86
Paul 30 pts, 13 ast; West 21 pts, 12 rebs; Stojakovic 10 pts
The Lakers were able to hold off a late charge from Chris Paul and the Hornets Wednesday night, as they remained the only unbeaten team in the league.
Despite another incredible double-double from Paul, the Lakers never trailed in this game although they were made to work for this win late on.
Treevor Ariza once again showed great energy off the bench to be a real offensive threat as well as a thorn in the side of the Hornets on defense, chipping in with ten points. Derek Fisher also contributed a Lakers’ high 20 points, with 15 of them coming in the opening three quarters.
However, it was a Bryant three-pointer in the face of James Posey with just over a minute left which all but secured the Lakers’ second road win in as many days. Prior to this, the Hornets had been on a frantic 17-4 run which had brought them back to within six at 86-80.
But Kobe was able to silence the ever vocal New Orleans crowd, and demoralise former team mate and friend Byron Scott with a trademark, dagger three. Kobe would have enjoyed this all the more for the fact that he was being guarded by one of the men who had denied him his ring this summer.
The Lakers now return home to Staples Center to face Allen Iverson and his new team the Detroit Pistons as the only unbeaten side in the league, following Atlanta’s defeat in Boston, and will look to keep this momentum going to stay on top in this extremely competitive Western Conference.
Wednesday, 12 November 2008
Lakers win in Dallas to stretch unbeaten start to 6-0
Lakers 106
Bryant 27 pts; Gasol 22 pts, 11 rebs; Ariza 13 pts
Dallas Mavericks 99
Terry 21 pts; Green 17 pts; Kidd 16 pts, 11 rebs, 10 ast
The Lakers remain on course to equal their best start since their last championship win, after an impressive victory on the road against Dallas.
Dallas, yet to win on their home floor this season, came out firing early on racing into a 35-26 lead at the end of the first quarter. Gerard Green was one of the standout players for the home side in the first half on both ends of the floor, doing a great job of guarding Kobe and posing a big threat on offense.
Despite the Mavs’ early advantage, everytime they looked to take control the Lakers were able to peg them back, either through some great hustle plays from their bench players or Kobe’s explosive, offensive skills.
Trevor Ariza came off the bench to play with great intensity in the second quarter, causing vital turnovers and converting fast-break opportunities to keep the visitors in touch.
However, the Mavs finished the second with their highest first half total of this campaign (60), but were unable to pull from the Lakers and paid for it late in the fourth.
With the Lakers up by two with 23 seconds remaining, Pau Gasol was fouled by Dirk Nowitzki in the act of tipping in a missed jump shot. He then made the bonus free throw to complete the three point play, putting the visitors five up.
Green then had a late three point effort spectacularly blocked by the outstanding Ariza, to all but end the Mavs’ hopes of a late turnaround.
In terms of the score line this was not the Lakers best win, but it will do wonders for their confidence knowing that they have what it takes to win on the road, against a contending team.
And they will look to use that confidence as they seek to match the 7-0 start made in the 2001-02 Championship season, as they travel to Western Conference rival Chris Paul and the New Orleans Hornets on Wednesday.
Monday, 10 November 2008
Lakers sink Rockets to move to 5-0
Rockets 82
Brooks 20 pts; Scola 12 pts, 9 rebs; Yao 12 pts, 8 rebs
Lakers 111
Bryant 23 pts; Gasol 20 pts, 15 rebs; Farmar 16 pts, 6 ast
The Lakers broke out of an early shooting slump to come from behind and produce another dominant win to move to 5-0 against the Rockets on Sunday.
After starting poorly the Lakers found themselves 16 points behind at one point in the second quarter. But a 22-7 run to finish the half saw the Lakers up 50-48 at the break. LA were never behind again improving to 65.8% shooting from the field in the second half to see them pull away before demolishing the Rockets in the fourth.
Other than their free scoring in the second half, one of the keys this win was limiting two time NBA scoring title winner Tracy McGrady to just three points. He shot 1-11 from beyond the arc and was prevented building up any rhythm by the defense.
As good as the Lakers were offensively in the second half, the Rockets were poor. They failed to build up any sort of momentum and the Lakers exploded to win the fourth 39-17.
This was a good win for the Lakers over one of the teams who could challenge them for their Western Conference crown, but not if they play like this.
LA have now won each of their first five games (for the first time in five years) by an average of 22.4 points and are still yet to hit top gear. Along with a great offensive display in the second half there was also a lot of scrappy play, 18 turnovers will not please coach Phil Jackson and he will look to rectify this before tomorrow’s trip to Dallas (live on channel five Tuesday night 1:00am).
Monday, 3 November 2008
Perfect Start
We are nearly at the end of the first week of the season and already the Lakers are living up to their tag as one of the favourites for the ‘chip this year.
The Lakers are 3-0 after their first three outings having beaten the Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers.
Portland Trail Blazers 76 Outlaw 18 pts; Fernandez 16 pts, 4 ast; Roy 14 pts, 5 ast
Los Angeles Lakers 96 Bryant 23 pts, 11 rebs; Gasol 15 pts, 7 rebs; Ariza 11 pts
Despite an impressive 20 point victory the main talking point from the Lakers opening game against the Blazers was the much anticipated debut of last year’s number one draft pick Greg Oden. Oden missed all of his rookie season last year following a micro-fracture which required surgery, and this was supposed to be the night he announced his arrival on the NBA scene. However, neither Oden, nor the Lakers read their scripts as Oden had to retire to the locker room after playing just 12:51, while the Lakers proceeded to pull Portland apart in his absence.
Kobe Bryant was his usual dominant self scoring 11 points in the third quarter alone and leading the Lakers in both scoring and rebounding.
Los Angeles Lakers 117 Bryant 16 pts, 8 rebs; Farmar 15 pts, 5 ast; Fisher 15 pts, 4 ast;
Los Angeles Clippers 79 Thornton 16 pts; Thomas 11 pts, 8 rebs; Davis 11 pts, 7 ast
The Lakers second game of the season was against Los Angeles rival the Clippers who they face again next week, so it was important to get a victory at Staples Center. The game was tight during the opening stages as you would expect from an early season game of this type, but it was the Lakers bench mob that helped them begin to pull away early in the second quarter. Sasha Vujacic, Jordan Farmar and Trevor Ariza all made meaningful contributions as the Lakers streaked the to a 15 point lead at the half.
From here the Lakers never looked back leading by as many as 31 points during the third quarter. At this point coach Phil Jackson knew he was able to rest some of his starters and give his bench more of a run out, which is just what you want at this point in the season so everyone can get their touches and get sharp.
The game ended as a complete blow out with the Lakers winning by 38, with every player scoring.
Los Angeles Lakers 104 Bryant 33 pts; Gasol 16 pts, 16 rebs; Radmanovic 11 pts, 7 rebs
Denver Nuggets 97 Carter 20 pts, 6 ast, 6 rebs; Martin 18 pts, 5 rebs; Iverson 13 pts
The Nuggets posed a much stiffer test in the Lakers third game of a busy first week, going in at the end of the first quarter just two points behind. The game was tight throughout with the Lakers doing well to limit Carmelo Anthony’s scoring opportunities in his first game back from suspension.
However, with the game still close in the latter stages, Carmelo was able to convert two three-point efforts to bring Denver within five before throwing up and air ball on a decisive possession. Kobe was then able to seal the win sinking two free throws to put the Lakers up by seven, finish on a season high 33 points, and preserve his team’s 100% start to the season.
The Lakers are 3-0 after their first three outings having beaten the Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers.
Portland Trail Blazers 76 Outlaw 18 pts; Fernandez 16 pts, 4 ast; Roy 14 pts, 5 ast
Los Angeles Lakers 96 Bryant 23 pts, 11 rebs; Gasol 15 pts, 7 rebs; Ariza 11 pts
Despite an impressive 20 point victory the main talking point from the Lakers opening game against the Blazers was the much anticipated debut of last year’s number one draft pick Greg Oden. Oden missed all of his rookie season last year following a micro-fracture which required surgery, and this was supposed to be the night he announced his arrival on the NBA scene. However, neither Oden, nor the Lakers read their scripts as Oden had to retire to the locker room after playing just 12:51, while the Lakers proceeded to pull Portland apart in his absence.
Kobe Bryant was his usual dominant self scoring 11 points in the third quarter alone and leading the Lakers in both scoring and rebounding.
Los Angeles Lakers 117 Bryant 16 pts, 8 rebs; Farmar 15 pts, 5 ast; Fisher 15 pts, 4 ast;
Los Angeles Clippers 79 Thornton 16 pts; Thomas 11 pts, 8 rebs; Davis 11 pts, 7 ast
The Lakers second game of the season was against Los Angeles rival the Clippers who they face again next week, so it was important to get a victory at Staples Center. The game was tight during the opening stages as you would expect from an early season game of this type, but it was the Lakers bench mob that helped them begin to pull away early in the second quarter. Sasha Vujacic, Jordan Farmar and Trevor Ariza all made meaningful contributions as the Lakers streaked the to a 15 point lead at the half.
From here the Lakers never looked back leading by as many as 31 points during the third quarter. At this point coach Phil Jackson knew he was able to rest some of his starters and give his bench more of a run out, which is just what you want at this point in the season so everyone can get their touches and get sharp.
The game ended as a complete blow out with the Lakers winning by 38, with every player scoring.
Los Angeles Lakers 104 Bryant 33 pts; Gasol 16 pts, 16 rebs; Radmanovic 11 pts, 7 rebs
Denver Nuggets 97 Carter 20 pts, 6 ast, 6 rebs; Martin 18 pts, 5 rebs; Iverson 13 pts
The Nuggets posed a much stiffer test in the Lakers third game of a busy first week, going in at the end of the first quarter just two points behind. The game was tight throughout with the Lakers doing well to limit Carmelo Anthony’s scoring opportunities in his first game back from suspension.
However, with the game still close in the latter stages, Carmelo was able to convert two three-point efforts to bring Denver within five before throwing up and air ball on a decisive possession. Kobe was then able to seal the win sinking two free throws to put the Lakers up by seven, finish on a season high 33 points, and preserve his team’s 100% start to the season.
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