Lakers 110, Bucks 105
January 11th, 2008, 10:03 pm · Post a Comment · posted by KEVIN DING, OCREGISTER.COM
LOS ANGELES – Kobe Bryant reasserted himself with the sort of game that the Lakers needed just to compete in past years, and the Lakers roared to the old kind of victory Friday night at Staples Center.
Despite an upper respiratory virus Bryant had 37 points and seven assists in the Lakers 15th victory in 18 outings. After Bryant drew his fourth foul just 1:21 into the second half, he waved to Coach Phil Jackson that he’d be careful – and Jackson didn’t sub Bryant out. It paid off, as Bryant thoroughly dominated after missing his first three shots of the game.
Just as the Lakers avenged an earlier loss to New Orleans, they did the same to Milwaukee. Cleveland, which comes to town on Jan. 27, is the next circled opponent. The only team the Lakers have played at least twice this season that they haven’t beaten is Boston – reflective of the Lakers’ ability to competitiveness in both mind and body.
DID YOU SEE THAT?
After Bryant scored 16 consecutive Lakers points in the first quarter, the Bucks all focused on him again and were caught flat-footed when the Lakers went to Andrew Bynum (25 points, 17 rebounds) on their last possession of the quarter; he scored over single coverage.
WHAT WAS HE THINKING?
Moments after Bryant drew his third foul in the first half, Lamar Odom drew his third foul – in frustration after missing a layup; Odom didn’t score in the first half.
CRITT PROBLEMS
Rookie guard Javaris Crittenton committed turnovers on three consecutive possessions in the second quarter – this after Jackson had berated him in a timeout for holding the ball, shooting and missing in transition instead of passing to teammate Jordan Farmar. Sasha Vujacic (back) might take be ready to reclaim his spot from Crittenton on Sunday.
NEXT
Memphis at Lakers, 6:30 p.m. Sunday, FSN, KLAC/570
