<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Los Angeles Lakers look to continue their dominance over the Milwaukee Bucks and win consecutive games for the first time in a month as they open a six-game road trip. The Lakers have defeated the Bucks eight straight times, their longest active winning streak over any opponent, since a 107-100 loss in Milwaukee on March 21, 2001. Los Angeles, though, has had its share of close calls during the streak with each of the last five games in the series being decided by six points or fewer. The Lakers begin their trip looking to win two straight for the first time since Nov. 6-8 after a 99-98 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats on Sunday. Kobe Bryant made a pair of free throws with seven seconds remaining, lifting the Lakers to their second win in three games. "We were sluggish," Bryant said. "Physically, it was tough to get going. My legs felt like they were in cement. I just had to keep pushing, pushing, pushing." Bryant scored 29 points and made 11 of 12 from the foul line, but shot just 9-for-30 from the field. He has taken 35.4 percent of the Lakers' field goal attempts this season, the highest percentage in the league. "He has to shoot better than that if he's going to take that many shots," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. Milwaukee beat the Orlando Magic 104-84 on Saturday to extend its winning streak to a season high-tying three games. The Bucks, who opened this season with three straight victories, haven't won four in a row since April 2-7, 2004. Dan Gadzuric scored 14 of his season-high 16 points in the fourth quarter to help the Bucks pull away on Saturday. "They were just finding me," Gadzuric said. "I was just trying to find an open space and trying to create. They saw me and all I had to do was finish." Milwaukee coach Terry Stotts was pleased with Gadzuric's performance. "He finished around the paint, defensively he was getting rebounds and he covered the pick and roll well," Stotts said. "There wasn't a thing I didn't like." Michael Redd had 30 points on 11-of-18 shooting, including 7-for-10 from 3-point range, as the Bucks shot a season-high 56.6 percent (43-for-76) from the field. Milwaukee is averaging 107.3 points during its winning streak. Rebounding has been a strong suit for the Bucks, who are averaging 45.1 boards per game. No Milwaukee team has averaged 45.0 rebounds a contest since the 1980-81 club posted 45.3 a game. The Bucks learned Monday that they'll be without forward Joe Smith for six to eight weeks. Smith, limited to eight games this season, will have surgery on his left knee Tuesday to remove loose cartilage that has caused persistent swelling and pain since training camp. STANDINGS (through Dec. 5): Lakers - 4th place, 4 1/2 GB, Pacific Division. Bucks - 4th place, 4 GB, Central Division. PROBABLE STARTERS: Lakers - F Brian Cook, F Lamar Odom, C Chris Mihm, G Smush Parker, G Bryant. Bucks - F Andrew Bogut, F Redd, C Jamaal Magloire, G T.J. Ford, G Mo Williams. TEAM LEADERS: Lakers - Bryant, 32.1 ppg; Odom, 10.1 rpg and 5.8 apg. Bucks - Redd, 25.5 ppg; Magloire, 10 rpg; Ford, 7.2 apg. 2004-05 SEASON SERIES: Lakers, 2-0. LAST MEETING: Nov. 30, 2004; Lakers, 95-90. At Milwaukee, Cook scored a career-high 25 points on 10-of-14 shooting, and Bryant added 20 points and 11 assists to lead Los Angeles. ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Lakers - 3-4 on the road; Bucks - 5-2 at home.</div> link:http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview?gid=2005120615 i know it's late but better than never. so far the lakers are just dominating and odom and bryant look unstoppable. smush is playing well too.
Lakers won this one in resounding fashion. Odom had a near triple double once again, and Kobe finally knocked down better than 50% of his shots. And how about Smush, 7 steals, only two off the NBA record. Great game by him, and a great game in general tonight for the Lakers.
yes this was a good game with good production. oh i must say this even though it has nothing to do with the lakers..... PORTLAND GOT THEIR A$$ES WHIPPED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was saddened I didn't get to see the game (night classes). But once i checked my cell-phone for the score, I was really shocked to see the Lakers win by that much against a improving team. I read a large portion of it came out of Phil Jackson's cursing when the Bucks were on a scoring run. Anyway, congrats to Lakers for a huge road win against a strong team.
Our best game so far this season. The Lakers started the game with a small lineup with Sasha and Parker in the backcourt and Kobe at small forward. It was uncharacteristic of PJax brand of basketball, but was effective last night. I wouldn't be surprised to see this lineup in tonight's game either because the Raptors have been using Calderon/James together on the floor. The Bucks defense was terrible last night to help the Lakers cause. The Lakers had an easy time scoring the ball, and worked the Triangle to perfection. The Lakers also scored on EVERY single Buck turnover last night. Led by Smush Parker's 7 steals, the Lakers forced 15 turnovers. They also made their free throws (finally), and did a great job of holding the Bucks to just one shot on offense. The Bucks came into this game ranked #1 in rebounding and offensive rebounding, but the Lakers owned the boards 41 to 37. Hopefully the Lakers can win their 3rd straight tonight against the Raptors and get back to .500 on the season. Also Kobe Bryant hooked up former teammate, Caron Butler's family with tickets to the game. So much for the b.s. reports from BSPN saying Butler hates Kobe.
