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Lakers End Slide, Beat Raptors 94-79
11.12.03
After dropping their last two on the road, the Los Angeles Lakers returned home to Staples Center and re-established a defensive presence, beating the Toronto Raptors 94-79.
The Lakers led the game the entire way, and showed several flashes of the dominance that people expect with a lineup that includes Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, Karl Malone, and Gary Payton. They stretched the lead to as many as 20 in the third quarter, and coasted to the easy victory.
The Lakers defense re-emerged, as the Raptors shot just 35% (24-of-69) from the field, and turned the ball over 19 times. The Lakers on the other hand, were able to get a strong performance down low from O’Neal, who led the team with 23 points and 14 rebounds. Shaq hit 9-of-12 from the floor, but continues to struggle from the free throw line, making only five of 15 attempts.
The Lakers offensive balance also returned as Bryant scored 19, Malone 17, and Payton with 16. Still more production is needed from the bench, as they contributed only 13 points, seven of them by Derek Fisher.
In a game marred by some poor shooting and some sloppy play, the Lakers turned a 10-point halftime lead into a 65-45 blowout midway through the 3rd quarter, on the strength of their defense and ability to get easy transition baskets. The added pressure on defense allowed the Lakers offense to flow more smoothly from time to time, but still isn’t consistent enough yet.
The Raptors, who fell to 0-4 on the road, were led by Vince Carter, who scored 23 points but hit only 7-of-22 shots, including 1-of-6 from beyond the arc. Morris Petersen scored 16, and Lamond Murray chipped in 15 off the bench.
The Lakers next game is Friday against the Detroit Pistons at Staples Center.
Link: LakerStats.com Box Score
Link: NBA.com Recap
Lakers Win Barn-Burner in San Antonio, 120-117
11.06.03
It took two overtimes, a Tim Duncan injury, and some clutch performances from Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant for the Lakers to finally win a game at the SBC Center.
The Lakers had dropped all five of their games at the Spurs’ new arena, and needed to dig out of a 9-point 4th quarter hole to force overtime and eventually get the win, 120-117.
Despite missing league MVP Tim Duncan, and staring point guard Tony Parker, the world champs gave the Lakers all they could handle before finally succumbing in the second overtime. They hit only three of their last 19 shots.
Bryant led all scorers with 37 points, and O’Neal dominated the paint, scoring 35 points, grabbing 20 rebounds, and blocking four shots. He also hit the game-winning free throws. O’Neal entered the game shooting only 32% of the line on the young season before hitting 11-of-16 against the Spurs.
Karl Malone, who struggled with his shot all night and eventually fouled out, did manage to score 15 points and grab 19 rebounds. Gary Payton added 16 points and Derek Fisher scored 11 off the bench.
The Spurs were led by Manu Ginobili, who scored a career-high 33 points to go along with 12 rebounds.
The Lakers win moves them to 5-0 on the season, and their next game is tommorrow night in New Orleans, against a Hornets team playing very well at 4-1.
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
Lakers New Look Wins Preseason Opener
10.08.03
The Los Angeles Lakers, and their new cast of players, including Karl Malone and Gary Payton, scored an easy 107-89 win over the Golden State Warriors Tuesday night in Hawaii, in both teams’ exhibition opener.
A noticeably slimmer and quicker Shaquille O’Neal scored 16 points and grabbed six rebounds in just 18 minutes, and Payton added 12 points and seven assists as the Lakers coasted to victory. O’Neal was particularly active on the defensive end, blocking two shots, including a devasting swat of a Mike Dunleavy jump shot in the third quarter.
Kobe Bryant took part in the team’s pre-game shootaround, but is not expected to play in either of the two games in Hawaii. Bryant is scheduled to fly out today (Wednesday) to Colorado for his court proceedings on Thursday. Coach Phil Jackson believes the All-Star guard will be able to play next Tuesday against the Phoenix Suns in San Diego.
Slava Medvedenko and Jannero energized the Lakers bench, which looks to be vastly improved from last season. Both players scored 14 points while combining to hit 13 of 20 shots from the field.
In his first game for the purple and gold, Malone scored seven points and had three rebounds in only 22 minutes. Derek Fisher chipped in with 10 points, including a perfect 2-2 from 3-point land.
Jason Richardson led the Warriors with 20 points, and former Detroit Piston Clifford Robinson added 15.
The two teams meet again tonight in Honolulu. Game time is 11:00 PM Pacific Time.
It’s Official, The Mailman Delivers in LA
07.10.03
ESPN is reporting that Karl Malone today verbally agreed to join the Lakers this upcoming season, just days after Gary Payton made the same commitment.
Malone will play for a mere $1.5 million, nearly $18 million less than he made last season as a member of the Utah Jazz. While he could of have signed for more money in San Antonio or even Sacramento, the “Mailman” was lured to Los Angeles by the desire to win a championship, and the chance to play along side Gary Payton, Kobe Bryant, and Shaquille O’Neal.
The Lakers starting lineup, on paper, could be the most formidable in league history, with four potential Hall of Famers.
Payton and Malone’s agreement to play for very little money for a run at a championship is proof positive that for some players do play to win first.
With these two signings, the Lakers have addressed their two biggest weaknesses from last season, a power forward who can shoot the jumper and rebound in Malone, and a point guard with the stellar offensive and defensive skills of Gary Payton. And they did it all for just over $6 million.
News Link: ESPN – “Malone makes move, heads to Lakers”
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