Lakers Stunned by Pacers on George Hill's Game Winning Layup

Can't believe after a dominant win against the Mavs, the Lakers would come back down to earth like this. Kobe Bryant, under the weather had a few positives and a few negatives. The Black Mamba fought through sickness leading the Lakers with a double-double of 40 points and 10 rebounds, but committed 10 turnovers , a yin-yang performance by the Lakers' all-time leading scorer. Turnovers, missed free throws, and poor bench play had a lot to do with this game, but the story of this against Indiana was the failure to protect the rim and defending the pick n roll which lead to George Hill's game winning layup to rally the Pacers 79-77. Dwight Howard, good field goal shooting, horrible free throws as he tallied 17 points and Pau Gasol, the other way around what Howard did scored 10 points behind perfect free throw shooting, but awful field goal shooting.

Final Score: vs. Indiana 79-77 [L]
Full recap: http://www.nba.com/games/20121127/INDLAL/gameinfo.html

Next Game: vs. Denver (11/30/12)

Blown Out Again: Raiders Fall to Bengals on Carson Palmer's Homecoming

Pathetic, pathetic, and even more pathetic. It is just not a happy trail for the Raiders the last 3 games, but rather a nightmare that continues. Carson Palmer felt the heat from Cincinnati fans in his return since being traded to Oakland last season completed 19 of 34 passes for 146 yards with 1 TD and 1 INT, but as usual the Raiders had no answer or the decency to perform as they get a beat down from the Bengals 10-34. Marcel Reece had 15 carries for 74 yards and Jeremy Stewart lead the team in receptions with 6 receptions for 37 yards. Brandon Myers is tied with Jeremy Stewart for most receiving yard this game, although one reception short and Denarius Moore had only one reception for 20 yards for 1 TD. Since the game vs. the Buccaneers, the Raiders have been outscored by the opposition 79-169.

Final Score: @ Cincinnati 10-34 [L]
Full recap: http://www.raiders.com/news/article-1/Bengals-Top-Raiders-34-10/5d2e51cf-fdba-4497-b7d4-15941a8f6784

Next Game: vs. Cleveland (Week 13, 12/02/12)

Lakers Bulldoze Mavs

Before I start tonight's post, just want to catch up on the games I missed. I was with family the whole week for the holidays.

11/20/12: vs. Brooklyn 90-95 [W]
11/21/12: @ Sacramento 97-113 [L]
11/23/12: @ Memphis 98-106 [L]

After a two game losing streak on the road, the Lakers came out with a shear sense of anger and frustration and let it all out against Dallas. The bench is finally putting up some scoring without depending on the starters to do all the work. Antawn Jamison, finally the 6th man the Lakers were looking for, had back to back double digit scoring, tonight with a twist of a double-double. Jamison was the Lakers' top performer with 19 points and 15 rebounds as the Lakers beat the pants off the Mavs 115-89. Kobe Bryant and MWP joined Jamison in scoring 19 points, Dwight Howard tallied 13 points, Pau Gasol added 13 points, and Jodie Meeks was the second leading scorer off the bench with 11 points.

Final Score: @ Dallas 115-89 [W]
Full recap: http://www.nba.com/lakers/gameday/121124_gameday_mavericks

Next Game: vs. Indiana (11/27/12)

Lakers Pull Away vs. Rockets Behind Starting 5

All starters were in double figures in terms of points as the Lakers beat the Rockets 108-119 to reach the .500 mark. Kobe Bryant was the Lakers' top performer, recording another, yet rare triple-double in his 17 year career scoring 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists while Dwight Howard is consistently recording double-doubles, chipping in 28 points and 13 rebounds. Pau Gasol added 17 points, MWP tallied 15 points, and sophomore point guard Darius Morris racked up 12 points, still filling in for injured point guards, Steve Nash and Steve Blake.

Final Score: vs. Houston 108-119 [W]
Full recap: http://www.nba.com/lakers/gameday/121118_gameday_rockets

Next Game: vs. Brooklyn (11/20/12)

Raiders Tap Out vs. Saints

Back to back blowout losses and 3 times the Raiders have given up too many yardage and TDs to opponents. *Yawn* what else is new? Carson Palmer (can't always put the blame on him) completed 22 of 40 passes for 312 yards connecting 2 TDs & 2 INTs (one for a pick 6 by Malcolm Jenkins), but the Raiders just didn't have the talent to matchup with Drew Brees and the Saints' potent, offensive firepower as the Raiders again suffer an embarrassing loss 38-17 with another pathetic display on both sides of the ball. Marcel Reece had a career day though, big positive becoming the leader in rushing and receiving for the Raiders. Reece had 17 carries for 103 yards and 4 receptions for 90 yards.

Final Score: vs. New Orleans 38-17 [L]
Full recap: http://www.raiders.com/news/article-1/Saints-Defeat-Raiders-38-17/ab54ac1e-e138-4904-9b3d-f75cbdca2b4e

Next Game: @ Cincinnati (Week 12 11/25/12)

Lakers Top Suns

The start of the Mike D'Antoni era has been postponed to Sunday. Bernie Bickerstaff's record now as interim head coach is 3-1 with this win against the Suns as Kobe Bryant was the Lakers' top performer this game leading the Lakers with 31 points, 2 rebounds, and 6 assists as the Lakers top the Suns 102-114. Metta World Peace, a better, consistent game from him tallying 22 points with 7-14 shooting. Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard each with double-doubles. Gasol chipped in 16 points & 10 rebounds while Howard tallied 18 points and 12 rebounds. Jordan Hill was the leading scorer off the bench chipping in 10 points.

Final Score: vs. Phoenix 102-114 [W]
Full recap: http://www.nba.com/games/20121116/PHXLAL/gameinfo.html

Next Game: vs. Houston (11/18/12)

Lakers Fall To Spurs Late

The Mike D'Antoni era hasn't started yet as Bernie Bickerstaff's brief stint as interim coach ends on a sour note. Kobe Bryant lead the Lakers with 28 points, 4 rebounds, and 8 assists on 12-19 shooting, but couldn't get the ball in his hands for the final shot as the Lakers fall to the San Antonio Spurs 84-82 on a Danny Green go ahead 3 pointer and a forced Pau Gasol 3 pointer that missed. Gasol as mentioned, didn't play well until the 4th tallied 10 points and 10 rebounds, Dwight Howard added 13 points and 15 rebounds, and MWP, still not consistent, tallied 12 points, but missed a crucial 3 pointer that would've given the Lakers a lift from a very close game against a perennial western conference rival.

Final Score: vs. San Antonio 84-82 [L]
Full recap: http://www.nba.com/games/20121113/SASLAL/gameinfo.html

Next Game: vs. Phoenix (11/16/12)

Lakers Top Kings + The Hire of Mike D'Antoni

The Lakers continue to slowly build with temporary coach Bernie Bickerstaff orchestrating the team. Dwight Howard continues to make his name in LA as he lead the Lakers with 23 points, 18 rebounds, and 3 assists as the Lakers beat the Kings 90-103. Kobe Bryant chipped in 20 points and Pau Gasol and MWP both had 18 points joining Kobe and Dwight as the only players in double figures for the Lakers.

Final Score: vs. Sacramento 90-103
Full recap: http://www.nba.com/lakers/gameday/121111_gameday_kings

Next Game: vs. San Antonio (11/13/12)

Replace a Mike with another Mike. The Lakers have hired Mike D'Antoni to replace the fired Mike Brown as the team's head coach for the rest of the 2012-2013 season. Obviously the move has us Lakers fans dismayed, clamoring for the return of the Zen Master, Phil Jackson. D'Antoni has some experiences with Lakers players, particularly Steve Nash, in which both lead the Phoenix Suns to perennial playoff berths and division titles and as an assistant coach of the 2008 Men's Basketball Olympic team with Kobe and Dwight. Under D'Antoni, the Lakers will run a traditional run and gun, pick and roll offense, but the question is how will the defensive side fare since most teams under D'Antoni on defense has been atrocious?

Raiders Plowed by Ravens

A huge letdown for the Raiders on the road. First the run defense did not do good last week against the Bucs, this week, it was the pass defense that was gave out an atrocious effort. Carson Palmer, who owned the Ravens in Baltimore back as a Bengal, completed 29 of 45 passes  for 368 yards with 2 TDs & 1 INT, but couldn't help translate his successes with the Raiders as the Ravens throat punch the Raiders 20-55 behind a stellar game from Joe Flacco. Marcel Reece, filling in for Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson rushed for 48 yards and Denarius Moore lead the team in receptions with 4 for 90 yards and 1 TD.

Final Score: http://www.raiders.com/news/article-1/Raiders-Fall-to-Ravens-55-20/e6220cbc-2a2b-4afa-9edc-3749768cbf13

Next Game: vs. New Orleans (Week 11 11/18/12)

Lakers Rout Warriors on the Eve of Mike Brown's Firing

The chants of "We Want Phil" echoed around the atmosphere of Staples Center, signifying the return of the Zen Master himself, Phil Jackson to coach this Laker team to the promised land yet again. The sad part is, Bernie Bickerstaff this game coached 10x better than Mike Brown in the last 13 games (including preseason). Kobe Bryant lead the way with 27 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists to help power the Lakers past the Warriors 77-101 to give them their 2nd win of the season. Pau Gasol added 14 points and 16 rebounds and MWP, after a horrendous start finished with 10 points. Strong contribution from the bench as Darius Morris and Jordan Hill lead the way with 10 points from Morris and 14 points from Hill.

Final Score: vs. Golden State
Full recap: http://www.nba.com/lakers/gameday/121109_gameday_warriors

Next Game: vs. Sacramento (11/11/12)

Lakers Fire Mike Brown

That went sooner than expected. The lakers fired head coach Mike Brown after the team's 1-4 start. Rumor has it that either assistant coaches Chuck Person, Bernie Bickerstaff, or Steve Clifford will fill in as the interim coach for the lakers' game against the warriors tonight while the front office will look elsewhere for a long term.

The Third Coming of Phil Jackson?????

UPDATE: Bernie Bickerstaff is appointed as interim head coach for the Lakers' game tonight vs. the Warriors.

Lakers Fall to Jazz

The start of the Lakers' special 2012-2013 campaign is becoming horrendous by the minute causing immense amount of trouble on the Purple and Gold side of La La Land. The Lakers drop 0-2 on the road with the loss to the Utah Jazz 86-95. Kobe Bryant lead the Lakers with 29 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists, putting this Laker team on his back as usual, even at the age of 34. Dwight Howard added 19 points and MWP with 15 points, as it was just a lackluster effort by the whole team and the coaching staff.

Final Score: @ Utah 86-95 [L]
Full recap: http://www.nba.com/games/20121107/LALUTA/gameinfo.html

Next Game: vs. Golden State (11/09/12)

FINALLY! Lakers Get First Win vs. Pistons

Almost 6 months without a win since Game 3 vs. the Thunder, but the torture is over for now. The Lakers have snapped an overall 13 game losing streak and avoid an 0-4 start against the Pistons (not a convincing win, but a win's a win). Dwight Howard was the Lakers' top performers scoring 28 points and 7 rebounds on 12-14 shooting as the Lakers beat down the Pistons 79-108. Pau Gasol, a quiet game scored 14 points, MWP, a solid game from him, tallying 18 points, and Jordan Hill, picking up where he left off last season, came off the bench with 11 points. Kobe Bryant, an efficient game all around with a near triple double of 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists.

Final Score: vs. Detroit 79-108 [W]
Full recap: http://www.nba.com/lakers/gameday/121104_gameday_pistons

Next Game: @ Utah (11/07/12)

Raiders Keep Game Close, but Dominated by Buccaneers Overall

How the Raiders managed to keep this game close is beyond me. In a game that was dominated by the Buccaneers, the Raiders mustered enough offense without star running back Darren McFadden, who left the game early with a knee injury, leading the Raiders in rushing with 7 carries for 17 yards, but the running game was non-existent all game. It was the passing game lead by Carson Palmer, completing 39 of 61 passes for 414 yards connecting 4 TDs and throwing 3 INTs, that proved to be costly later in the game. However the Raiders defense (yes the same D that shut down Jamaal Charles last week) couldn't tame rookie running back, Doug Martin. Martin's career day with 25 carries for 251 yards and 4 TDs was the difference maker as the Raiders couldn't hang around with the Bucs long enough 42-32.

Final Score: vs. Tampa Bay 42-32 [L]
Full recap: http://www.raiders.com/news/article-1/RECAP-Buccaneers-42-Raiders-32/32bf263e-0c29-4580-a944-401119df6359

Next Game: @ Baltimore (Week 10, 11/11/12)

Lakers Still Winless in Loss to Clippers

Very troubling to see the Lakers start 0-3 in the regular season since the 1978-1979 season, especially loaded with a star-studded team since the 2003-2004 season. This game was all Kobe Bryant. Wow I thought their goal was to limit his minutes after all his wear and tear being in the NBA for 17 seasons? Kobe surpassed Magic Johnson on the all-time steals list in franchise history and lead the Lakers with 40 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 assist in a losing effort to Lob City Clippers 105-95 (little brother sure outplayed and outhustled big brother tonight). Pau Gasol, also on watch for logging too many minutes, scored 10 points & 14 rebounds and a very quiet game for Dwight Howard, only tallying 13 points.

Final Score: vs. LA Clippers 105-95 [L]
Full recap: http://www.nba.com/games/20121102/LACLAL/gameinfo.html

Next Game: vs. Detroit (11/04/12)