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)