Slow day here so I guess I'll post the game thread today. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Kobe Bryant had another MVP-caliber performance his last time out, leading the surging Los Angeles Lakers to a comeback win on the road. The Los Angeles Clippers are quite familiar with such efforts from the Lakers star when he's wearing his home jersey. Bryant looks to give his home crowd another memorable outing against the Clippers as the Lakers seek their 13th win in 14 games Friday night. After scoring 52 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in Sunday's 108-104 overtime victory over Dallas, Bryant finished with 34 points and 10 boards in the Lakers' 117-105 win over Sacramento on Tuesday. Bryant scored all 17 of his fourth-quarter points in the final 5:56, including 11 straight as the Lakers (43-18) took their first lead on two free throws by the 10-time All-Star with 4:04 to play. "He really stepped it up, really took it to the hole, really took it personally,'' said forward Pau Gasol, who had 31 points, his most since being traded to the Lakers on Feb. 1. "We know what he's capable of doing. I know he can take over games. He's so gifted athletically and skill-wise. He's got a tremendous passion inside him. The way he attacked tonight, it was the kind of effort we need every night.'' The Lakers, winners of 12 of 13, have a three-game lead in the Pacific Division and open a three-game homestand Friday. They've won five straight home games by an average of 15.0 points since a 98-95 loss to Cleveland on Jan. 27, and are 15-3 at home since Dec. 9. The Lakers have had the advantage over their city rivals while wearing their home jerseys lately, thanks in large part to Bryant being at his best in such games. Bryant had 32 points and eight rebounds in the Lakers' 113-92 home win over the Clippers on Dec. 16, their first matchup with the Clips as the home club this season. He's averaging 40.0 points in his last four games against the Clippers with the Lakers logo on the Staples Center court, with his team winning three of those contests. While Bryant had only 17 points and seven assists in his team's 113-95 road victory over the Clips on Feb. 23, he's averaging 28.5 points in his last four road games in the series. The teams split those contests. The Clippers (20-39), who are 16 1/2 games out of playoff position, are coming off a 116-109 double-overtime victory over Sacramento on Wednesday that snapped a six-game losing streak. After opening March with a 30-point loss to Detroit on Saturday and a 26-point defeat to Philadelphia on Monday, the Clippers managed to rally from a 17-point third-quarter deficit against the Kings. "We kept plugging away. That's the sign of a good competitive team,'' said point guard Dan Dickau, who scored a season-high 20 off the bench. "We're out of the playoff race, but for us to salvage something from this season we need to continue to play hard and play together.'' Corey Maggette scored 25 points Wednesday, matching his average in two games versus the Lakers this season. Center Chris Kaman had 17 points and 11 rebounds against Sacramento, his second double-double in three games after missing the previous four with a sore lower back. Kaman's only game against the Lakers this season was Dec. 16, when he finished with 18 points and 16 boards.</div>
<span style="font-size:24pt;line-height:100%"><u>SOMETHING TO WATCH BEFORE THE GAME</u></span> <div><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ceHeBGciJX8&"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ceHeBGciJX8&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350" /></embed></object></div> <div><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/28wfJbTdG98&"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/28wfJbTdG98&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350" /></embed></object></div> <div><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Mgksq3ShJyU&"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Mgksq3ShJyU&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350" /></embed></object></div>
<div><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ryas9OANw-E&"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ryas9OANw-E&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350" /></embed></object></div> <div><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2BG4e1nbg8c&"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2BG4e1nbg8c&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350" /></embed></object></div>
Vlad gets 6 points in the first 3 minutes of the second half, good to see him come back since we need the depth.
Fish is finally playing well again, he hits another three. We're killing it from deep and rolling, all except Puke at least.
Kobe pokes the ball away and Odom finds Puke in the open court. Kobe gets the call for another two. Kobe for three! 74-50 Lakers.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Brian @ Mar 8 2008, 12:20 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>We're killing them right now. And also, Phoenix choked up a big fourth quarter lead and loses again! </div> Damn Phoenix sucks now. Puke is such an idiot fouling Corey on the three pointer with 1.4 left. We're up by 27, good night Kobe.
Puke with the offensive board and then Sasha finally hits on the second attempt! Corey blows another lay-up tonight. We're up by 33 now after one Ronny FT.
Get Lamar out of the game. Puke almost loses the ball but finds Ronny for a nice dunk. Farmar for three! We're 10-17 from beyond the arc. Odom carried it, bonehead.
The Machine is finding a nice rhythm in garbage time. Oh no, Mobley cuts our lead to just 32! Heh. Lamar for another three. The official Victory Cigar comes in (Coby Karl). Odom finally gets rest. Oh btw, Gus Walton (a dog for you non-Laker Fans) > Puke.
Will we win by 40? Corey gets called for a delay of game and tech. DJ Mbenga uses the glass for two! Nice. DJ gets a shooters bounce, he's got 4! He's on fire, haha. Ronny blocks the D-League guy, Fazekas. DJ with the fallaway! 3-3!
Ronny gets the board, and Sasha hits for three again. I feel bad that Coby couldn't get the dunk, but he comes right back with a three pointer, nice. Coby Again!!! This is great. People were chanting his name right before the second three pointer too. Lakers win 119-82. We're 44-18 and the Suns haven't even won consecutive games in almost a month now.
Easy win. Denver's beating up on San Antonio as well, so we should retain our #1 seed after tonight. Nice game by Ronny Turiaf though, and it's nice to see Coby and Dacos getting minutes and contributing. I can't wait for Bynum to return (and Ariza too of course)
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Brian @ Mar 8 2008, 01:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Easy win. Denver's beating up on San Antonio as well, so we should retain our #1 seed after tonight. Nice game by Ronny Turiaf though, and it's nice to see Coby and Dacos getting minutes and contributing. I can't wait for Bynum to return (and Ariza too of course)</div> Ariza can't get out of his walking boot yet, he's probably gone the rest of the regular season. Man I'm pissed about that, it would suck to have to slowly work him into our Playoff lineup.
Blowout what a game Kobe and Pau didn't even have to score much to win, PHX chokes again so it begins......
