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Kobe elected to 2020 Hall of Fame class.

Dwight Howard dunks amongst three Spurs on Tuesday.

503
The Lakers regular season winning percentage against the Spurs after Tuesday night’s loss. They’re now 74-73 all-time against San Antonio, but 34-18 against them in the playoffs.

98
The number of missed shots the two teams had combined Tuesday, in what was a very ugly offensive game. The Lakers shot just 41.9% from the field and the Spurs an even worse 38.9%.

69
The Lakers free throw percentage as a team after eight games…not good. They were awful on Tuesday again, hitting just 14-22 (63.6%). Those things matter in close games.

55
Kobe Bryant’s field goal percentage this season after eight games. He hit 12-19 shots on Tuesday against the Spurs for 28 points. He’s also hitting 92% of his foul shots and 44.1% from the three-point line. Basically he’s on fire.

33
The age Metta World Peace turned today. He scored 12 points on his birthday, but missed a wide-open three near the end of the game that would have sealed the win for the Lakers.

33
The amount of rebounds Dwight Howard has grabbed combined the last two games. He had 18 against Sacramento on Sunday and 15 more on Tuesday against San Antonio.

18
The amount of points the Lakers bench scored Tuesday. Nobody shot a particularly horrible percentage, they just didn’t get up a lot of shots. Jordan Hill looked good again with eight points and six rebounds, and lots of great hustle.

8
The number of turnovers the Spurs committed Tuesday. Want to know how to stay in a game you’re shooting under 40% in? Well here’s one way, don’t turn the ball over. Conversely the Lakers turned it over 17 more times Tuesday.

Looking for a bounce-back on Friday against Phoenix, see you then.

Phil Jackson speaking at a Lakers press conference.

From LA Times Mike Bresnahan’s Twitter…
“Lakers are moving quickly to hire Phil Jackson, one person in the organization calling it ‘95%’ sure PJ’s the next coach of the Lakers. The Lakers plan on meeting with Phil Jackson this morning, The Times has learned. It’s his job if he wants it.”

More from Bresnahan’s Twitter…
“The Lakers have not contacted Mike D’Antoni, The Times has learned, increasing the already strong chances of the return of Phil Jackson.”

From Yahoo! Sports NBA guru Adrian Wojnarowski’s Twitter…
“As Lakers meet w/ Phil Jackson today, they’ve declined meetings w/ any other candidates, source says. They’re all in on Phil,’ source says.”

From ESPN basketball analyst Jim Bowden’s Twitter…
“The process and expected return to the Lakers by Phil Jackson could happen as soon as Sunday in time for game against Kings #Lakers.”

We’ll put up more info as we find it.

Kobe Bryant pours in two of his 33 against the Knicks.

The Lakers had no problems putting away the Knicks early for the second time this season, as they rolled over the New Yorkers 113-96 at Madison Square Garden on Friday night.

Kobe Bryant was the star on this night, unleashing his entire repertoire of shots on the star-filled New York crowd, as he played yet another stellar game in one of the NBA’s most-storied buildings.

Bryant finished the game with 33 points and 10 rebounds on 12-17 shooting from the floor, playing just under 29 minutes. He scored 19 of his 33 in the first quarter, including a buzzer-beating turnaround jumper that put the Lakers up 30-28 after one.

Pau Gasol had a solid game with 20 points and six rebounds, and he also got a long rest on the bench as the Lakers led by double-figures for most of the night.

Lamar Odom had 14 points off the bench, Andrew Bynum scored 12 points and grabbed nine boards, and Shannon Brown hit six of his 10 shots, including a highlight-reel alley-oop dunk in the second quarter, en route to 12 points.

The Knicks stayed close early, trailed by just two after one quarter, and took the lead early in the second. But the Lakers’ bench came in and took the game away from the home team, and the Lakers built a 62-48 lead at halftime.

In the third quarter, Bryant hit a jumper over Danilo Gallinari to put the Lakers up 70-52. The Knicks then made their last real run of the night, going on a 10-1 burst to close to within nine at 71-62. But the Lakers responded and scored six straight, culminating with a three-pointer by Bryant from the right side to go up 77-62. New York never got closer than 11 points the rest of the game, trailing by as many as 20 in the fourth quarter, as the champs cruised to the easy victory.

The Lakers shot 53.6% (45-84) from the field for the game, and 6-15 (40.0%) from the three-point line. But it was their defense that was most-impressive on this night, as they held the high-scoring Knicks to just 41.2% (32-85) from the floor and a miserable 5-20 (25.0%) from beyond the arc. New York did outrebound the Lakers 44-41, but most of that rebound advantage was gained in the fourth quarter with the game well over.

Amar’e Stoudemire led the Knicks with 20 points and 10 rebounds, but shot just 9-20 from the field, turning the ball over six times, and picking up a technical foul. Raymond Felton had a solid all-around game with 20 points and seven assist on 7-12 from the floor. Gallanari had 14 points, but hit just 4-15 from the field, including 0-6 from beyond the arc.

The Knicks have now lost to the Lakers eight straight times, including four in a row at Madison Square Garden. The Lakers moved their road record to 19-8, which surprisingly now matches their home record.

Los Angeles is now 4-0 on their current road trip, which takes them next to Orlando to go up against Dwight Howard and the Magic for the first time this season on Sunday. From there they head to Charlotte on Monday, and finish off the seven-game trip on Wednesday against the woeful Cleveland Cavaliers.

Link: Lakers @ Knicks Box Score

Andrew Bynum goes up for two against Nuggets.

The Lakers have had their problems in Denver the last few seasons, but righted the ship on Friday with a solid 107-97 over the Nuggets at the Pepsi Center.

The Lakers rebounded from their embarrassing second half performance in Dallas on Wednesday, with a much better all-around effort against the Nuggets, especially from their frontcourt, which dominated all game long.

Pau Gasol scored 19 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, Ron Artest scored a season-high 19 points, Lamar Odom poured in 18 points and 10 rebounds, and Andrew Bynum chipped in with 17 points and seven rebounds, part of a very balanced attack for the world champs. The Lakers got 73 of their 107 points from those four players up front.

Kobe Bryant scored 18 points on 8-15 from the floor, to go along with seven assists and six rebounds.  He also made several critical baskets in the third quarter to help the Lakers pull away.

The game was close throughout the first half, with both teams trading blows.  The Lakers trailed early by seven, but fought back in the second quarter and forged a 41-36 lead.  The Nuggets then went on a 16-8 run to end the half, to take a 52-49 lead to the break, the same three-point lead they held after the first quarter.

But Bryant led the charge in the third quarter, as the Lakers took control of the game, and led 82-72 after three.  In the fourth quarter, the Lakers never let up.   The Nuggets could get no closer, as Los Angeles led by as many as 14 points in the final period en route to the surprisingly easy victory.

The Lakers absolutely destroyed the Nuggets on the glass, 47-27, including 15 offensive rebounds, which gave the Los Angeles 10 extra shots.  The Lakers also shot 53.4% (47-88) from the floor and turned the ball over only nine times.  The good shooting and protecting of the ball didn’t allow Denver to get up and down the court for easy baskets, which has been their trademark against the bigger Lakers.

Denver didn’t shoot poorly at 47.4% (37-78), but hit only 7-21 (33.3%) from the three-point line, and managed to get to the free throw line only 20 times, converting 16.  They lead the league in foul shot attempts, at over 31 per game.

Carmelo Anthony, still in a Nugget uniform, scored 23 points, but shot just 10-24, as Artest made life difficult on the All-Star most of the night, forcing him into tough shots.  Aaron Afflalo had a superb game with 22 points on 8-11 from the floor, including 5-7 from beyond the arc.  Chauncey Billups added 16 points.

The win snapped a two-game road losing streak for the Lakers, and may have been their best win away from Los Angeles this year.   They’re now 15-8 on the road, and have won 11 of their last 14 games overall.

The Lakers’ next game is Tuesday night against the struggling Utah Jazz at home.  The Jazz beat the Lakers earlier this season 102-96 in Utah on November 26th, a game that saw Los Angeles blow a 19-point lead.   Tuesday’s game against Utah will be the first of five straight at Staples Center for the Lakers, as they also face Boston and San Antonio on this homestand.

Link: Lakers @ Nuggets Box Score

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.

Link: Lakers vs. Nets Box Score

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.

Link: Lakers @ Grizzlies Box Score

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