Philadelphia (8-21) at LA Lakers (19-11) Game Info: 9:30 pm EST Sun Dec 31, 2006 <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Kobe Bryant and Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson were admittedly tired after their road trip lasted longer than expected. Their return home, however, certainly doesn't ensure a cakewalk. After ending a six-game road trip with a grueling loss, the Lakers look to avoid a third straight overtime game at Staples Center as they face the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday. Bryant offset his 58 points in 55 minutes with two key errors in the third overtime as Los Angeles (19-11) lost 133-124 to Charlotte on Friday night to finish its road trip at 3-3. "I don't want to have to do that," an exhausted Bryant said of his big scoring night. "It's too tiring." Bryant spoiled the third-highest point total of his career by committing a foul on Derek Anderson's 3-point attempt with 1:14 left. Anderson hit all three free throws to give Charlotte a 129-124 lead. He then missed a long jumper and fouled out when Anderson drew a charge on the Lakers' next possession. Bryant shot 22-of-45, and his performance trailed only his 81-point game last January against Toronto and a 62-point effort Dec. 20, 2005, versus Dallas. "I don't care about scoring all those points," Bryant said. "I would much rather not do that. It's tiring. But sometimes you have to do what you have to do." Even Jackson acknowledged it's been tough being on the road for 12 days after recently undergoing hip replacement surgery. "It was a challenge," said Jackson, who still noticeably limps. Now Jackson leads his team back home, where it has played two straight overtime games. Los Angeles beat Houston in double-overtime on Dec. 15, then lost to Washington 147-141 after one overtime on Dec. 17. Philadelphia (8-21), meanwhile, is in midst of a seven-game road trip. The 76ers improved to 1-2 with a 98-95 win over Portland on Friday. Andre Igoudala has taken over as the team's primary offensive threat since Allen Iverson was traded with four games of at least 20 points in his last six. He scored 32 points against the Trail Blazers, surpassing his career high for the second time in seven days. "We finally had a breakthrough game," Igoudala said. Igoudala, whose previous career high was 31 against Boston on Dec. 22, is averaging 16.5 points. Philadelphia may again be without Chris Webber, who missed the Portland game because of a bruised right foot. Webber, who has butted heads with coach Maurice Cheeks over playing time, was a late addition to the inactive list. Alan Henderson started in his place, and he split time with Joe Smith -- acquired from Denver in the Iverson trade. Los Angeles and Philadelphia split their two games last season, with each team winning at home. The Lakers have won six of their last seven meetings with the 76ers at Staples Center, holding Philadelphia to 90.2 points per game. </div> Link Just coming off a heart breaking loss in triple overtime against the Bobcats, it will be interesting to see how the Lakers respond tonight. The Sixers are in no way a "top" team in the league, so this should be an easy victory. But you never know which Laker team will show up tonight. Let's just hope that tonight will be a great start to the new year
In my mind this is almost a must win game because after that embarasing loss to the Bobcats The Lakers will come out with hunger and i wouldn't be suprised if this game was a blowout. But evrey time it seems like that, the lakers go and blow it and lose to mediocre teams like the bobcats.
I saw a shamu sighting too! LOL. yeah, I hope Kwame is okay. damn injuries are killing us. Bynum is growing up fast this year. I still hate Sasha.
Damn I hate those ankle injuries. I've had many of them myself. Kobe played with style. Good shooting %. 20 points in the 3rd quarter ! Sick. He got 35 with only 1 trip to the free throw line. I'm pleased with his 8 rebounds and 6 dimes, too. PS! Rodney Carney's slam was tighhtttt ! L.A. for the title ! ;D
