Lakers Rally Against Kings; Keep Playoff Bid on Life Support

Really bummed I typed up the first draft of this post, but didn't save it due to a DNS error, so I'm gonna leave this post with a picture of Kobe Bryant surpassing Wilt Chamberlain at #4 on the all-time scoring list against the Kings in a 103-98 victory. Congrats Kobe.

Final Score: @ Sacramento 103-98 [W]
Full recap: http://www.nba.com/games/20130330/LALSAC/gameinfo.html

Highlights

Next Game: @ Dallas (04/02/13)

Injuries Plague Lakers in Loss to Bucks

This team will never play at full strength, the same script that happens to the '04 team. First the team lost its energy off the bench in Jordan Hill to a season ending hip injury, then Metta tore his meniscus, ruling him out for six weeks, then this game Kobe had a bone spur in his foot and Nash with hip spasms. Dwight Howard, although he wasn't the leading scorer was the team's all-around top performer scoring 15 points, 15 rebounds, and 2 assists, but the back-to-back games just keep stinging the Lakers as they fell to Milwaukee 103-113. Kobe Bryant, although scored 30 points, suffered a bone spur in his foot during the game as well as Steve Nash, finishing with 16 points, suffered a hip spasm. Jodie Meeks added 11 points, Pau Gasol added 16 points and 9 rebounds, and Antawn Jamison came off the bench with 13 points and 7 rebounds. Looks like Utah won the game against Portland tonight, as they reclaim the 8th seed since they own the tiebreaker. The Lakers look to bounce back injury-riddled or not against the Kings Saturday night and hope to cap off their 4 game road trip with a 2-2 record.

Final Score: @ Milwaukee 103-113 [L]
Full recap: http://www.nba.com/games/20130328/LALMIL/gameinfo.html

Highlights

Next Game: @ Sacramento (03/30/13)

22 Straight: Lakers Overcome T'Wolves

Needing a bounce back win in a tightening race for an 8th seed, the Lakers' backs were against the wall after three horrible losses to keep the 8th spot, and they did by chipping in win #22 against the T'Wolves. Kobe insisted that Dwight Howard gets more touches, and ask and he shall receive. Howard lead the Lakers with 25 points, 16 rebounds, and was literally a defensive machine with 5 steals and 5 blocks to help power the Lakers to a 120-117 close victory. Kobe, filling in the SF position for MWP, filled in quite well like the swingman that he is scored 31 points, dishing out 7 assists, although the 6 turnovers mar that kind of performance. Pau Gasol had an all-around better night since returning from injury tallying 17 points and 9 rebounds. Steve Nash finished with 16 points and 8 dimes and Antawn Jamison was the bench's leading scorer with 18. Not a good sight if the Lakers are playing back to back on the road, as they face off against the Milwaukee Bucks tonight.

Final Score: @ Minnesota 120-117 [W]
Full recap: http://www.nba.com/games/20130327/LALMIN/gameinfo.html

Highlights

Next Game: @ Milwaukee (Tonight 5:00 PM Pacific)

Punched in the Mouth: Lakers Lose Big Game vs. Warriors

This game was not as close as the final score indicated: 103-109. In a critical matchup against a division rival and geographic rival, the Lakers couldn't find an answer to the Warriors' hot start; they did, but as usual, the Warriors took their foot off the gas late in the 4th quarter enough for the Lakers to make it closer than expected. Kobe Bryant, 2nd game back from an ankle injury lead the Lakers with 36 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists, and Steve Nash came 2nd behind him finishing with 21 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists, but even the most prestigious back court duo couldn't keep the Lakers afloat as their efforts were not enough to stop the back court duo of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson who combined 47 points. The front court was just dormant as Dwight Howard finished on a whopping 11 points and 15 rebounds, but was beaten a lot times this game by the Warriors' front court in David Lee and Andrew Bogut. Jodie Meeks, the guy can be an enigma at times, 1st half he's ice cold and the 2nd half he heats up too little too late; Meeks lead the bench with 13 points, but didn't get it going until the 2nd half when it was already too late to make a run. It's gonna be a long road trip if the Lakers keep playing like this, 3 more critical road games to prove themselves.

Final Score: @ Golden State 103-109 [L]
Full recap: http://www.nba.com/games/20130325/LALGSW/gameinfo.html

Highlights

Next Game: @ Minnesota (03/27/13)

Rusty Returns: Kobe, Gasol back, but Lakers Fall to Wizards

A great welcome back for Kobe, but a poor return for Gasol (understandably he would show some rust after being out for almost 1 month, especially when he's integrated back into the starting 5). I'll come back with that story for a second. Dwight Howard lead the Lakers with 20 points, 15 rebound, and 3 assists, but the Lakers toyed around with the Wizards which lead to their downfall at the end of the game as the Wizards rally and won 103-100 behind John Wall's 24 points and 16 assists performance. As I said, Kobe had a great welcome back as he finished with 21 points and 11 assists in his first game back since rolling his ankle in Atlanta, but Pau Gasol didn't. Returning from injury that sidelined him since February and integrated back into the starting lineup, Pau only contributed 4 points and 8 rebounds and shot poorly from the field with 2-10 shooting. Jodie Meeks and Antawn Jamison lead the firepower off the bench as Meeks scored 16 points and Jamsion chipped in 11 points and 7 rebounds off the bench.

Final Score: vs. Washington 103-100 [L]
Full recap: http://www.nba.com/games/20130322/WASLAL/gameinfo.html

Highlights

Next Game: @ Golden State (03/25/13)

Lakers Spent, Lost to Suns

Back to backs are just the Lakers' worst nightmare this season. An encore homecoming in Phoenix for Steve Nash, who lead the Lakers with 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists, but unlike the last visit which ended in a heartbreaking defeat, the Lakers were thrashed by the bottom feeders of the Pacific division as the Suns took it to the back to back night Lakers 76-99. The team did not shoot well as only 3 players joined Nash in double-figures (Dwight Howard, MWP, and Steve Blake. Dwight racked in 16 points and 11 rebounds, MWP tallied 12 points and 5 steals, and Blake came off the bench with 13 points.

Final Score: @ Phoenix 76-99 [L]
Full recap: http://www.nba.com/games/20130318/LALPHX/gameinfo.html

Highlights

Next Game: vs. Washington (03/22/13)

Lakers Top Kings

The Lakers played without Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and only used the 6 man rotation? No problem. Aside from Jodie Meeks, who only scored 6 points, the other 5 were in double figures with near or exact double-doubles. Antawn Jamison had a big game off the bench leading the Lakers with 27 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 assist on 8-14 shooting as his performance helped the Lakers pull away against the Kings 102-113. MWP had his marvelous game of the season scoring 22 points on 10-13 shooting. Both Steve Nash and Dwight Howard were the two that were in double-double category as Nash scored 19 points and dished out 12 assists and Dwight racked in 12 points and grabbed 17 rebounds. Earl Clark tallied 11 points and 8 rebounds, and Steve Blake finished with 16 points and 8 assists off the bench.

Final Score: vs. Sacramento 102-113 [W]
Full recap: http://www.nba.com/games/20130317/SACLAL/gameinfo.html

Highlights

Next Game: @ Phoenix (03/18/13)

Kobe Plays, But Lakers Pull Through Without Him vs. Indy

Kobe Bryant did play this game as he was a game time decision prior, but only played 12 mins before sitting out the rest of the game to rest the swollen ankle. However, the Lakers stepped it up without the perennial face and alpha dog of the team against a very good tough, hard-nosed team in the Indiana Pacers. Steve Blake, the unlikely hero of this game, stepped it up off the bench as he was the Lakers' top performer doing it on both ends scoring 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists to go with 4 steals and 2 blocks as he helped rally the Lakers to a 99-93 victory over the Pacers. Dwight Howard added a double-double of 20 points and 12 rebounds to go with 4 blocks, Steve Nash added 15 points and 9 assists, MWP added 19 points and 7 rebounds, and Antawn Jamison also came off the bench with 17 points and 7 rebounds.

Final Score: @ Indiana 99-93 [W]
Full recap: http://www.nba.com/lakers/gameday/130315_gameday_pacers

Highlights

Next Game: vs. Sacramento (03/17/13)

Lakers Lose to Hawks, Lose Kobe to Injury

The Lakers couldn't capitalize a sweep on back to back road games as they fell to the Hawks 92-96, despite a huge rally in the 4th. The big story this game, Kobe Bryant and the ankle injury he sustained this game. Kobe lead the Lakers with 31 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists, but when going for the game tying fade away, he accidentally stepped on Dahntay Jones' foot, eventually rolling his ankle. X-rays were negative, but he's out indefinitely, assuming that he will miss Friday's game against the Pacers. Dwight Howard, after putting up big numbers in Orlando, only chipped in 10 points and 16 rebounds, Steve Nash also didn't have a great game scoring 11 points on 4-14 shooting, but MWP did have his best all around game in a long time tallying 20 points and 8 rebounds on 9-19 shooting.

Final Score: @ Atlanta 92-96 [L]
Full recap: http://www.nba.com/games/20130313/LALATL/gameinfo.html

Highlights

Next Game: @ Indiana (03/14/13)

Dwightmare II: Return to Orlando

What a homecoming for Dwight Howard, first time back in Orlando since becoming a Laker (a la Shaq). Howard lead the Lakers with 39 points, 16 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 blocks while shooting a record tying 25 free throws out of 39 attempts, the most attempts for a Laker since Shaq, in other words, the "hack-a-Dwight" tactic did not work for the Magic as Howard makes his former team pay 106-97. MWP, a better shooting night, scored 14 points, Kobe Bryant, an off night, only scored 11 points, but grabbed 7 rebounds and dished out 8 assists, and Steve Nash also tallied 11 points. The bench came alive as well late when it mattered the most as Jodie Meeks lead the bench with 11 points and hitting shots when needed as well as Antawn Jamison, who got it going in the 4th, finished with 10 points and 8 rebounds. With the win, the Lakers reclaim the 8th seed and try to extend into the playoff picture as they face the Atlanta Hawks tomorrow night.

Final Score: @ Orlando 106-97 [W]
Full recap: http://www.nba.com/games/20130312/LALORL/gameinfo.html

Highlights

Next Game: @ Atlanta (03/13/13)

Lakers Overtake 8th Seed with Win vs. Chicago

Finally a game that was comfortable to watch after the last 3 of the last 4 games were victories decided by a really close margin. A very balanced game on both ends of the ball. Dwight Howard had a strong game as he lead the Lakers with 16 points, a monster 21 rebounds, and 1 assist to go with 4 blocks to help beat the skidding Bulls 81-90 and putting the Lakers in the playoff picture again. Steve Nash, also a key factor in the game as he had a strong 3rd quarter finishing with 16 points, and Kobe Bryant also had a balanced game with 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists. MWP, bad shooting day, finished with 16 points and was key for some defensive plays, Earl Clark, after a bad outing against Toronto finished with 11 points, and Jodie Meeks, all hustle off the bench, finished with 10 points.

Final Score: vs. Chicago 81-90 [W]
Full recap: http://www.nba.com/lakers/gameday/130310_gameday_bulls

Highlights

Next Game: @ Orlando (03/12/13)

Lakers Rally Against Raptors Behind Big 3's Monster Performances

*Update: The Jazz have lost to the Knicks and the Lakers are officially tied with Utah for the 8th and final playoff spot*

At first the Lakers look to be dealt with a crushing loss to the Raptors, but in some way willed themselves to a win behind their big 3. That Kobe fella is something. The Black Mamba, Vino, did work and was he a work horse that Friday night leading the Lakers behind that 34 year old body of his (although he looked like he was 25) with 41 points, 6 rebounds, and 12 assists to will the Lakers past the Raptors in OT 116-118. Steve Nash and Dwight Howard joined him in double figures as the big 2 out of 3 had monster games to reinforce Kobe's monstrous performance with 22 points from Nash and a double-double of 24 points and 13 rebounds from Howard. With Utah's loss today against New York in a 84-113 rout, the Lakers hope to capture that 8th spot in a win against the Bulls tomorrow on national television.

Final Score: vs. Toronto 116-118 (OT) [W]
Full recap: http://www.nba.com/games/20130308/TORLAL/gameinfo.html

Highlights

Next Game: vs. Chicago (03/10/13)

Lakers Rally 20+ Down Against Hornets

Knowing a playoff spot is at stake, the Lakers managed to keep their hopes alive as they get back to .500 defeating the Hornets. The Hornets looked like they were going to hand a big embarrassing loss to the Lakers, but the Lakers came alive late thanks to big games by Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, Jodie Meeks, and MWP. Kobe Bryant had a monster game scoring 42 points, 7 rebounds, and 12 assists, Dwight Howard was active on both ends scoring 20 points, 15 rebounds, and 4 blocks as the duo of the Mamba and D12 powered the Lakers to victory over the Hornets 108-102. MWP helped tallying 11 points including 2 critical steals, and Jodie Meeks played as the Lakers' X-factor off the bench, getting hot at the right time scoring 19 points shooting 5-9 beyond the arc.

Final Score: @ New Orleans 108-102 [W]
Full recap: http://www.nba.com/games/20130306/LALNOH/gameinfo.html

Highlights

Next Game: vs. Toronto (03/08/13)

Lakers Below .500 Again With Loss @ OKC

The Lakers working back to .500 was short lived as they couldn't keep up with the young and elite, Thunder. Kobe, bad elbow at all, lead the way with 30 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists, but the rally was not enough to overcome OKC's firepower, losing 105-122. Steve Nash finished with 20 points, MWP chipped in 16 points, and Earl Clark had a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. The Lakers are looking to bounce back and creep at .500 again today as they face the New Orleans Hornets.

Final Score: @ Oklahoma City 105-122 [L]
Full recap: http://www.nba.com/games/20130305/LALOKC/gameinfo.html

Highlights

Next Game: @ New Orleans (tonight 5:00 PM Pacific Time)

Lakers Escape to .500 vs. Hawks

A fight till the very end, but the Lakers landed the final knockout blow. Kobe Bryant was reponsible for the final punch as he lead the Lakers with 33 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists especially hitting a clutch layup at the end of the 4th to go along with a key Steve Blake steal to lead the Lakers back up to .500 beating the Hawks 98-99 Sunday night. Steve Nash, Dwight Howard, MWP, and Antawn Jamison joined Kobe in double figures as Nash finished with 15 points and 10 assists, 11 points and 15 rebounds from Howard, 13 points from MWP, and 10 points from Jamison off the bench. The Lakers face a tall task against the Thunder tonight as they try to creep above .500 and keep their hopes alive for a playoff bid.

Final Score: vs. Atlanta 98-99 [W]
Full recap: http://www.nba.com/games/20130303/ATLLAL/gameinfo.html

Highlights

Next Game: @ Oklahoma City (Tonight 6:30 PM Pacific Time)

Lakers Cruise Comfortably Past Timberwolves

21 straight victories over the T'Wolves dating back since 2005. The Lakers bounced back in a more comfortable way 1 game before .500, taking the first lead and never looked back. Kobe Bryant put on a clinic as he lead the Lakers with 33 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists to help the Lakers cruise to a victory 94-116. Steve Nash and Dwight Howard were the only starters to join Kobe in double figures with 10 points from Nash and 11 points from Howard. The bench did most of the damage Thursday night as they probably had their best game all season. Antawn Jamison came off the bench to lead them with 17 points, Jodie Meeks, after starting 0-3, turned on the jets late in the second half and finished with 16 points, and Steve Blake, arguably had his best game off the bench as he finished with 13 points.

Final Score: vs. Minnesota 94-116 [W]
Full recap: http://www.nba.com/games/20130228/MINLAL/gameinfo.html

Highlights

Next Game: vs. Atlanta (03/03/13)