Rockets-Lakers Preview

By BRETT HUSTON
Posted Nov 14 2009 4:16PM

The Los Angeles Lakers were fortunate to escape Houston with a victory in their first meeting, pulling out an overtime win despite not being at their best offensively.

The second half of their latest road performance unequivocally qualifies as their worst.

The Lakers look to bounce back from their most futile half in franchise history Sunday afternoon when they open a home-heavy stretch seeking their sixth straight regular-season win against the Houston Rockets.

Los Angeles (7-2) needed overtime to win both of its first two road games as Kobe Bryant averaged 36.0 points in a 101-98 win at Oklahoma City and a 103-102 escape at Houston on Nov. 3 and 4.

Through one half of the Lakers' first road game since, it looked like they were headed for another tight finish. Bryant had 19 points in the first half as Los Angeles trailed Denver 58-56 on Friday.

A pair of free throws shortly before halftime would be the last points Bryant would score, however. The Lakers scored 23 points in the final 24 minutes - a franchise-low for a half - and Bryant was shut out in a half for the first time since April 11, 2004, as the Nuggets cruised to a 105-79 victory.

"They beat the hell out of us,'' Bryant said. "... They executed extremely well and we tried to keep it within a manageable distance. We weren't able to do that though and they broke us open pretty good."

The Lakers' eight third-quarter points were two more than their worst quarter ever, when they put up six in a 102-80 loss to Chicago on Nov. 20, 1977.

"No one stepped up in the second half and played ball,'' coach Phil Jackson said. "We ended up taking long shots and turning the ball over at the start of the third quarter. Those are the results you get.''

Ron Artest had 15 points in his return to Houston (5-4) after signing with Los Angeles in the offseason, and this game takes Trevor Ariza back to Staples Center for the first time since he averaged 11.3 points in a breakout postseason run for the Lakers last spring.

Ariza will be looking for a better shooting effort than he showed Nov. 4 against his former team, when he went 5 of 21.

Yet the biggest storyline as the Lakers begin a stretch of 11 of their next 12 games at home will be whether there's lingering animosity between Ariza and Artest.

In their first meeting after essentially swapping uniforms following last season's seven-game playoff series, the two earned offsetting technical fouls early in the first quarter, and at one point Ariza said Artest tried to put his hand around Ariza's neck.

Artest said he thought about giving Ariza a hard shot, but backed down for fear of a fine or a suspension.

"You know if somebody hits me, I'm going to react," Artest said. "I got hit with about three elbows. It's just not fair. I don't want to fight, I don't feel like doing it. If you throw an elbow into Ron Artest's chest, do you know who you're hitting?"

Ariza, averaging a team-high 19.4 points but shooting 41.9 percent, was 10 of 21 and had a game-high 28 points Friday at Sacramento, but Houston was outrebounded 54-35 in a 109-100 loss.

"We knew that they were a good rebounding team, but I believe we could be one too,'' said Luis Scola, who's averaged 17.2 points and 11.0 rebounds in his last six games. "We didn't come prepared to play and we can't afford to do that.''

Bryant has averaged 30.8 points in leading the Lakers to five consecutive regular-season wins against Houston.

Copyright 2009 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited

Home crowd boos as Lakers drop second straight

By Bryan Chu, for NBA.com
Posted Monday November 16, 2009 2:03AM

LOS ANGELES (NBA.com exclusive) -- For the first time this season, the Lakers were searching for answers.

Ron Artest didn't have a solution. Kobe Bryant chalked it up to poor transition defense.

But more than anything, it was a gritty Houston team.

The Rockets took advantage of the Lakers sluggish second half and outhustled the defending champs, winning convincingly, 101-91, at Staples Center Sunday.

"It was a great game for us," Rockets coach Rick Adelman said. "The whole second half was terrific."

In the second half, Houston (6-4) outscored the Lakers 49-37 and held the Lakers to 33 percent shooting. This after the defending champs were held to franchise-low 23 points in the second half in a 105-79 loss to the Nuggets on Friday.

Houston guard Aaron Brooks had a career-high 33 points on 10-for-22 from the field, including five 3-pointers.

"We got hot," Brooks said. "We just ran around and got the lead."

Bryant had an off night for Lakers (7-3), scoring 18 points on 5-for-20 shooting. He re-aggravated a right groin strain that he suffered last week. Bryant was noticeably limping with about five minutes left in the fourth quarter. With two minutes remaining, Bryant left the game and headed straight to the locker room. After the game, however, he down-played the injury.

"I've felt better," he said. "I'll be alright.

"I had it, I've just been nursing it, playing through it."

The Lakers held a two-point edge at halftime, but the Rockets outscored the Lakers 28-19 in the third period. Houston put the game out of reach to open the fourth, as Houston rookie David Andersen scored Houston's first six points to push their lead to 86-73 while fans booed the home team. The Lakers couldn't get a sustained run going, twice turning the ball over on offensive fouls by Bynum and Odom.

"We obviously didn't know the scouting report that well on Andersen," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "We knew he's a shooter, but we didn't see him play at that level."

Andersen was huge off the bench, scoring a career-high 19 points and converting 9-of-13 shots.

"(Andrew) Bynum didn't want to come out there and that's my job to knock down the shot," he said. "You can't get ahead of yourself, but to come in and get a win speaks for itself especially after the loss in Sacramento."

The undersized Rockets outhustled the Lakers and dominated the offensive glass in the fourth quarter. The Lakers were outrebounded 60-38, including 13-6 on the offensive glass.

"That's called beasting the ball," said Artest, who led the Lakers with a season-high 22 points.

Before the game, Jackson said the Lakers needed to make a concerted effort to pound the ball inside to Bynum. He noted that was lacking in the loss to Denver. Though Bynum chipped in 21 points and 11 rebounds, Jackson still wasn't happy.

"He only got two shots in the second half," Jackson said. "He's the most effective scorer we had out there. It's a shame we didn't get it in."

After the Lakers escaped with a 103-102 overtime victory in their first meeting back on Nov. 4 at Houston, the Rockets got their revenge. Midway through the third period, the Rockets rallied with a 15-3 run to lead 76-68. The run included a four-point play by Brooks and a Trevor Ariza steal on Bryant, which led to a coast-to-coast dunk.

The victory was even sweeter for Ariza, who received a standing ovation from fans when he, along with 19-month old son Tajh, was presented with his championship ring from Bryant and Fisher pregame.

"It was great," he said. "It is nice to know the fans appreciate what I have done here."

Before the game, the Los Angeles native clicked the heels of his red Nike shoes and jokingly said: "There's no place like home."

Ariza struggled in the game, however. He missed his first nine shots and finished with nine points on 2-for-12 from the field. Despite the offensive outage, Ariza picked up the slack on the defensive end.

After Shane Battier picked up four fouls in nine minutes, Ariza was on Bryant most of the game. He had a pretty defensive sequence at one point against Bryant, who gave Ariza a series of fakes only to have his former teammate reject his shot. Bryant recovered the ball, but then Ariza poked the ball free, which led to a Chase Budinger two-handed dunk.

The Lakers were without Gasol (right hamstring) and Luke Walton (back). Though there is no timetable yet for Gasol, Jackson said, "(Gasol) has had five days without soreness. We're hopefully (practicing this week). He did a little bit of shootaround and did more strengthening and rehabbing."

Tracy McGrady (left knee) is still day-to-day and there is no timetable for his return, said Adelman pregame.

KAREEM SPEAKS:

NBA great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar spoke with the media pregame about his being diagnosed with leukemia.

"I'm in good spirits because I feel good about my future," he said. "I'm not dealing with a death sentence. This condition can be managed. I want to be a positive example, give people hope and hopefully, most importantly, educate them as to what they need to do."

• Rockets: Dorsey, McGrady, Yao
• Lakers: Gasol

• Rockets: --
• Lakers: Bryant

• Lead Changes: 10
• Times Tied: 7

• Arena: Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
• Officials: #49 Tom Washington, #42 Eric Lewis, #31 Scott Wall
• Attendance: 18997
• Duration: 2:11

Houston Rockets (21-14)		Los Angeles Lakers (27-7)
Start of 1st Quarter
(12:00) Jump Ball Bynum vs Scola (Odom gains possession)
	11:47	Fisher Jump Shot: Missed
Battier Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	11:46
Ariza Jump Shot: Missed Block: Bynum (1 BLK)	11:31
Hayes Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	11:29
Hayes Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)	11:28 [HOU 2-0]
	11:18 [LAL 2-2]	Bynum Turnaround Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Fisher (1 AST)
Brooks Jump Shot: Missed Block: Bynum (2 BLK)	10:58
	10:55	Fisher Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	10:49 [LAL 4-2]	Bryant Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Fisher (2 AST)
Scola Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Odom (1 ST)	10:39
Brooks Foul : Personal (1 PF)	10:32
	10:25	Artest Driving Layup Shot: Missed
Battier Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	10:21
Ariza 3pt Shot: Missed	10:18
	10:16	Fisher Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	10:11 [LAL 6-2]	Artest Reverse Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Fisher (3 AST)
Battier 3pt Shot: Missed	09:50
	09:48	Bynum Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	09:41	Bryant Layup Shot: Missed Block: Ariza (1 BLK)
Scola Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	09:38
Scola Layup Shot: Missed Block: Odom (1 BLK)	09:33
	09:31	Fisher Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	09:25 [LAL 9-2]	Artest 3pt Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Odom (1 AST)
Scola Turnover : Poss Lost Ball Turnover (2 TO)	09:09
Team Timeout : Regular	09:09
	09:01	Artest Jump Shot: Missed
Brooks Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	09:00
Brooks Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Artest (1 ST)	08:56
	08:54 [LAL 11-2]	Bryant Slam Dunk Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Artest (1 AST)
Scola Turnover : 3 Second Violation (3 TO)	08:36
	08:19 [LAL 13-2]	Bynum Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Bryant (1 AST)
Ariza Jump Shot: Missed	08:05
	08:05	Team Rebound
Scola Foul : Loose Ball (1 PF)	08:05
	07:53	Bynum Layup Shot: Missed Block: Hayes (1 BLK)
Hayes Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	07:51
Ariza Layup Shot: Missed Block: Fisher (1 BLK)	07:44
	07:43	Fisher Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
	07:41 [LAL 15-2]	Artest Layup Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Odom (2 AST)
Hayes Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	07:41
	07:41 [LAL 16-2]	Artest Free Throw 1 of 1 (8 PTS)
Brooks Driving Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Battier (1 AST)	07:26 [HOU 4-16]
	07:17	Bryant Jump Shot: Missed
Scola Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	07:16
Scola Driving Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Battier (2 AST)	07:05 [HOU 6-16]
Battier Foul : Personal (1 PF)	06:53
Battier Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	06:47
	06:47 [LAL 17-6]	Bryant Free Throw 1 of 2 (5 PTS)
Battier Substitution replaced by Budinger	06:47
	06:47 [LAL 18-6]	Bryant Free Throw 2 of 2 (6 PTS)
Ariza 3pt Shot: Missed	06:30
	06:29	Bynum Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	06:17	Bryant Jump Shot: Missed Block: Ariza (2 BLK)
	06:15	Bryant Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
	06:13	Bryant Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Ariza (1 ST)
Budinger Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Ariza (1 AST)	06:09 [HOU 8-18]
	05:52	Odom 3pt Shot: Missed
Ariza Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	05:51
	05:47	Fisher Foul : Personal (1 PF)
Brooks Free Throw 1 of 2 (3 PTS)	05:47 [HOU 9-18]
Brooks Free Throw 2 of 2 (4 PTS)	05:47 [HOU 10-18]
	05:28	Bryant Jump Shot: Missed
Hayes Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	05:27
Ariza Layup Shot: Missed Block: Fisher (2 BLK)	05:22
Team Rebound	05:22
Ariza 3pt Shot: Missed	05:12
	05:11	Fisher Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)
	05:04	Artest 3pt Shot: Missed
Ariza Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	05:03
Brooks 3pt Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Scola (1 AST)	04:55 [HOU 13-18]
	04:49	Team Timeout : Regular
	04:44	Bryant Layup Shot: Missed
Scola Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	04:43
	04:43	Bryant Technical
Brooks Free Throw Technical (8 PTS)	04:43 [HOU 14-18]
Ariza Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Odom (2 ST)	04:31
	04:27 [LAL 20-14]	Bryant Driving Dunk Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Artest (2 AST)
Budinger Jump Shot: Missed	04:11
	04:10	Fisher Rebound (Off:0 Def:6)
	04:04 [LAL 22-14]	Bynum Layup Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Fisher (4 AST)
Budinger Jump Shot: Missed Block: Bynum (3 BLK)	03:47
Hayes Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)	03:45
Budinger 3pt Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Brooks (1 AST)	03:40 [HOU 17-22]
	03:24 [LAL 24-17]	Artest Jump Shot: Made (10 PTS)
Brooks Jump Shot: Made (10 PTS)	03:13 [HOU 19-24]
	03:03	Fisher Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Budinger (1 ST)
Brooks Layup Shot: Made (12 PTS) Assist: Budinger (1 AST)	02:58 [HOU 21-24]
	02:37 [LAL 26-21]	Odom Driving Finger Roll Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Bryant (2 AST)
Brooks Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Bryant (1 ST)	02:19
Budinger Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	02:17
	02:17 [LAL 27-21]	Bynum Free Throw 1 of 2 (7 PTS)
	02:17	Fisher Substitution replaced by Farmar
Scola Substitution replaced by Landry	02:17
	02:17 [LAL 28-21]	Bynum Free Throw 2 of 2 (8 PTS)
	02:02	Artest Foul : Personal (1 PF)
Landry Jump Shot: Missed	01:50
Hayes Rebound (Off:3 Def:2)	01:49
Hayes Tip Shot: Missed	01:49
Brooks Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	01:46
Budinger 3pt Shot: Missed	01:45
	01:44	Artest Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	01:32	Artest Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Ariza (2 ST)
Budinger Driving Dunk Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Ariza (2 AST)	01:27 [HOU 23-28]
	01:04	Bynum Jump Shot: Missed
Landry Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	01:03
Hayes Layup Shot: Missed	00:50.6
	00:50.6	Team Rebound
Landry Foul : Loose Ball (1 PF)	00:50.6
	00:50.6 [LAL 29-23]	Odom Free Throw 1 of 2 (3 PTS)
	00:50.6	Bryant Substitution replaced by Vujacic
Hayes Substitution replaced by Lowry	00:50.6
Brooks Substitution replaced by Andersen	00:50.6
	00:50.6	Odom Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Ariza Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	00:49.8
Ariza 3pt Shot: Missed	00:34.9
	00:33.6	Bynum Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	00:22.9	Artest Turnaround Jump Shot: Missed
Landry Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	00:21.7
Ariza Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO)	00:13.9
	00:13.9	Odom Substitution replaced by Powell
	00:03.0	Artest Jump Shot: Missed
Lowry Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	00:01.2
End of 1st Quarter
Houston Rockets (21-14)		Los Angeles Lakers (27-7)
Start of 2nd QuarterBack to Top
Andersen Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Budinger (2 AST)	11:50 [HOU 25-29]
	11:33 [LAL 31-25]	Odom Reverse Layup Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Farmar (1 AST)
Battier Layup Shot: Missed Block: Powell (1 BLK)	11:16
Team Rebound	11:15
Andersen Jump Shot: Missed	11:09
	11:08	Vujacic Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	10:55 [LAL 34-25]	Vujacic 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Farmar (2 AST)
	10:45	Powell Foul : Personal (1 PF)
Lowry Layup Shot: Missed	10:34
	10:32	Artest Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	10:24	Farmar Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Budinger (2 ST)
Budinger 3pt Shot: Missed	10:18
	10:17	Vujacic Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	09:57	Odom 3pt Shot: Missed
	09:56	Vujacic Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
	09:53	Vujacic Jump Shot: Missed
Budinger Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	09:51
Andersen Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Lowry (1 AST)	09:46 [HOU 27-34]
	09:21	Powell Jump Shot: Missed
	09:20	Odom Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
Lowry Foul : Loose Ball (1 PF)	09:20
Battier Foul : Personal (3 PF)	09:12
Battier Substitution replaced by Brooks	09:12
	09:04	Farmar Jump Shot: Missed
Andersen Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	09:03
Landry Driving Reverse Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)	08:51 [HOU 29-34]
	08:51	Powell Foul : Shooting (2 PF)
Timeout : Official	08:51
	08:51	Odom Substitution replaced by Brown
	08:51	Vujacic Substitution replaced by Bynum
	08:51	Powell Substitution replaced by Bryant
Landry Free Throw 1 of 1 (3 PTS)	08:51 [HOU 30-34]
	08:35 [LAL 37-30]	Artest 3pt Shot: Made (13 PTS) Assist: Farmar (3 AST)
Andersen Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Budinger (3 AST)	08:24 [HOU 32-37]
Landry Foul : Personal (2 PF)	08:13
	08:02	Bryant Jump Shot: Missed
Brooks Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	08:01
Landry Layup Shot: Missed Block: Farmar (1 BLK)	07:56
Team Rebound	07:56
Brooks 3pt Shot: Missed	07:47
	07:47	Team Rebound
	07:32 [LAL 39-32]	Bynum Jump Shot: Made (10 PTS)
Budinger 3pt Shot: Missed	07:19
Andersen Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	07:18
Brooks 3pt Shot: Made (15 PTS) Assist: Lowry (2 AST)	07:13 [HOU 35-39]
	06:59	Bryant Layup Shot: Missed Block: Lowry (1 BLK)
Lowry Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	06:57
Brooks 3pt Shot: Missed	06:51
	06:50	Artest Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	06:38	Bynum Jump Shot: Missed
	06:37	Brown Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
	06:37 [LAL 41-35]	Brown Putback Slam Dunk Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Budinger Driving Reverse Layup Shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: Lowry (3 AST)	06:32 [HOU 37-41]
	06:10	Farmar 3pt Shot: Missed
Budinger Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	06:09
Landry Layup Shot: Missed	06:00
	05:59	Artest Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
	05:52	Brown 3pt Shot: Missed
Team Rebound	05:51
	05:50	Team Timeout : Regular
Budinger Substitution replaced by Ariza	05:50
	05:50	Artest Substitution replaced by Fisher
	05:50	Farmar Substitution replaced by Odom
Lowry Jump Shot: Missed	05:32
	05:32	Odom Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	05:23	Odom Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Ariza (3 ST)
Andersen Jump Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Brooks (2 AST)	05:14 [HOU 39-41]
	04:56 [LAL 43-39]	Bynum Layup Shot: Made (12 PTS) Assist: Brown (1 AST)
Landry Layup Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Lowry (4 AST)	04:48 [HOU 41-43]
	04:30	Fisher Jump Shot: Missed
Lowry Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	04:29
Ariza 3pt Shot: Missed	04:17
	04:16	Bynum Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
	04:08	Bryant Layup Shot: Missed
Andersen Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	04:06
Andersen 3pt Shot: Missed	03:57
Landry Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	03:57
	03:57	Odom Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Landry Free Throw 1 of 2 (6 PTS)	03:57 [HOU 42-43]
Landry Free Throw 2 of 2 (7 PTS)	03:57 [HOU 43-43]
	03:39	Fisher Jump Shot: Missed
Ariza Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)	03:38
	03:29	Odom Foul : Shooting (2 PF)
Ariza Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)	03:29 [HOU 44-43]
Ariza Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	03:29
	03:27	Bynum Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)
	03:15	Fisher Layup Shot: Missed Block: Landry (1 BLK)
	03:15	Team Rebound
	03:10	Bryant Jump Shot: Missed
Landry Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)	03:09
Brooks 3pt Shot: Missed	03:00
	02:59	Odom Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
	02:52 [LAL 45-44]	Brown Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Odom (3 AST)
Andersen 3pt Shot: Made (11 PTS) Assist: Lowry (5 AST)	02:39 [HOU 47-45]
Lowry Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	02:21
Team Timeout : Regular	02:21
	02:21 [LAL 46-47]	Brown Free Throw 1 of 3 (5 PTS)
	02:21 [LAL 47-47]	Brown Free Throw 2 of 3 (6 PTS)
	02:21 [LAL 48-47]	Brown Free Throw 3 of 3 (7 PTS)
Andersen Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)	02:10
	01:54 [LAL 50-47]	Fisher Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Andersen Jump Shot: Missed	01:38
	01:37	Brown Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	01:25	Fisher Jump Shot: Missed
Landry Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)	01:23
Andersen Jump Shot: Made (13 PTS) Assist: Brooks (3 AST)	01:11 [HOU 49-50]
	00:57.3 [LAL 52-49]	Bryant Jump Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Odom (4 AST)
Ariza 3pt Shot: Made (4 PTS)	00:49.3 [HOU 52-52]
	00:40.7 [LAL 54-52]	Bynum Turnaround Jump Shot: Made (14 PTS) Assist: Fisher (5 AST)
Ariza Turnover : Lost Ball (3 TO) Steal:Bryant (2 ST)	00:35.9
	00:15.9	Fisher 3pt Shot: Missed
Lowry Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)	00:14.7
Lowry 3pt Shot: Missed	00:02.4
	00:00.1	Bynum Rebound (Off:0 Def:6)
End of 2nd Quarter
Houston Rockets (21-14)		Los Angeles Lakers (27-7)
Start of 3rd QuarterBack to Top
Battier 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Ariza (3 AST)	11:45 [HOU 55-54]
Scola Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	11:33
	11:33 [LAL 55-55]	Artest Free Throw 1 of 2 (14 PTS)
	11:33	Artest Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Scola Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)	11:32
Brooks Running Jump Shot: Missed	11:11
	11:11	Team Rebound
	10:59 [LAL 57-55]	Artest Layup Shot: Made (16 PTS) Assist: Bynum (1 AST)
Hayes Turnover : Backcourt Turnover (1 TO)	10:44
Battier Foul : Shooting (4 PF)	10:31
	10:31 [LAL 58-55]	Bryant Free Throw 1 of 2 (11 PTS)
Battier Substitution replaced by Budinger	10:31
	10:31	Bryant Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Scola Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)	10:30
Scola Turnaround Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS)	10:18 [HOU 57-58]
	10:08	Bryant Layup Shot: Missed
Hayes Rebound (Off:3 Def:3)	10:06
Budinger Jump Shot: Missed	09:58
	09:57	Bynum Rebound (Off:0 Def:7)
Ariza Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	09:43
	09:43 [LAL 59-57]	Bryant Free Throw 1 of 2 (12 PTS)
	09:43 [LAL 60-57]	Bryant Free Throw 2 of 2 (13 PTS)
Brooks Driving Layup Shot: Made (17 PTS)	09:34 [HOU 59-60]
	09:12	Bryant 3pt Shot: Missed
Scola Rebound (Off:0 Def:6)	09:11
Brooks Driving Layup Shot: Missed Block: Bynum (4 BLK)	09:06
	09:03	Odom Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)
	08:55	Odom Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Budinger (3 ST)
	08:51	Odom Foul : Shooting (3 PF)
Ariza Free Throw 1 of 2 (5 PTS)	08:51 [HOU 60-60]
Ariza Free Throw 2 of 2 (6 PTS)	08:51 [HOU 61-60]
	08:36	Fisher 3pt Shot: Missed
Scola Rebound (Off:0 Def:7)	08:35
Brooks Jump Shot: Missed	08:20
	08:19	Team Rebound
	07:55 [LAL 62-61]	Fisher Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS)
Budinger 3pt Shot: Missed	07:32
	07:31	Fisher Rebound (Off:0 Def:7)
	07:25	Fisher Jump Shot: Missed
Budinger Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	07:24
Budinger Jump Shot: Missed	07:17
Budinger Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)	07:16
Brooks 3pt Shot: Missed	07:11
	07:10	Bynum Rebound (Off:0 Def:8)
	07:03 [LAL 64-61]	Bryant Driving Layup Shot: Made (15 PTS)
Brooks Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	07:03
	07:03 [LAL 65-61]	Bryant Free Throw 1 of 1 (16 PTS)
Brooks Running Jump Shot: Made (19 PTS) Assist: Scola (2 AST)	06:51 [HOU 63-65]
	06:51	Fisher Foul : Shooting (2 PF)
Brooks Free Throw 1 of 1 (20 PTS)	06:51 [HOU 64-65]
	06:32	Fisher Jump Shot: Missed
Team Rebound	06:31
Budinger Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Fisher (1 ST)	06:18
	06:12	Artest Layup Shot: Missed
Ariza Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)	06:11
Hayes Turnaround Jump Shot: Missed	05:59
	05:57	Odom Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)
	05:47 [LAL 68-64]	Fisher 3pt Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Bryant (3 AST)
Brooks 3pt Shot: Made (23 PTS) Assist: Scola (3 AST)	05:33 [HOU 67-68]
	05:33	Fisher Foul : Shooting (3 PF)
	05:33	Team Timeout : Regular
Brooks Free Throw 1 of 1 (24 PTS)	05:33 [HOU 68-68]
	05:21	Bryant Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:Ariza (4 ST)
Ariza Driving Dunk Shot: Made (8 PTS)	05:18 [HOU 70-68]
	04:58	Bryant Turnover : Traveling (3 TO)
Ariza Turnover : Lost Ball (4 TO) Steal:Odom (3 ST)	04:44
	04:41	Odom Turnover : Bad Pass (3 TO) Steal:Hayes (1 ST)
Brooks 3pt Shot: Made (27 PTS) Assist: Scola (4 AST)	04:36 [HOU 73-68]
	04:19	Bynum Hook Shot: Missed
Hayes Rebound (Off:3 Def:4)	04:16
Brooks 3pt Shot: Made (30 PTS) Assist: Scola (5 AST)	04:04 [HOU 76-68]
Hayes Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	03:47
	03:47	Artest Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	03:47	Team Rebound
	03:47	Artest Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Team Rebound	03:47
	03:47	Odom Foul : Loose Ball (4 PF)
	03:47	Odom Substitution replaced by Powell
Ariza Turnover : Traveling (5 TO)	03:30
	03:14	Artest Layup Shot: Missed
	03:13	Artest Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)
	03:12 [LAL 70-76]	Artest Layup Shot: Made (18 PTS)
Scola Foul : Shooting (3 PF)	03:12
	03:12 [LAL 71-76]	Artest Free Throw 1 of 1 (19 PTS)
Budinger Hook Shot: Made (11 PTS)	02:56 [HOU 78-71]
Ariza Foul : Personal (2 PF)	02:50
Team Timeout : Regular	02:50
	02:50	Bynum Substitution replaced by Farmar
	02:50	Fisher Substitution replaced by Vujacic
Hayes Substitution replaced by Lowry	02:50
	02:50 [LAL 72-78]	Bryant Free Throw 1 of 2 (17 PTS)
	02:50 [LAL 73-78]	Bryant Free Throw 2 of 2 (18 PTS)
Brooks Layup Shot: Missed	02:30
Scola Rebound (Off:1 Def:7)	02:29
Scola Putback Layup Shot: Made (6 PTS)	02:29 [HOU 80-73]
	02:10	Powell Driving Layup Shot: Missed
Budinger Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)	02:09
Scola Turnover : Lost Ball (4 TO) Steal:Artest (2 ST)	01:58
	01:45	Powell Jump Shot: Missed
Scola Rebound (Off:1 Def:8)	01:44
Scola Jump Shot: Missed	01:30
	01:29	Vujacic Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)
	01:12	Bryant Turnover : 3 Second Violation (4 TO)
Scola Substitution replaced by Landry	01:12
Brooks Turnover : Lost Ball (3 TO) Steal:Artest (3 ST)	00:59.9
	00:48.9	Bryant Jump Shot: Missed
Ariza Rebound (Off:0 Def:6)	00:47.7
Brooks Jump Shot: Missed	00:31.9
	00:30.7	Artest Rebound (Off:1 Def:5)
	00:16.9	Artest 3pt Shot: Missed
Landry Rebound (Off:1 Def:5)	00:14.7
Lowry Turnover : Offensive Goaltending (1 TO)	00:00.1
End of 3rd Quarter
Houston Rockets (21-14)		Los Angeles Lakers (27-7)
Start of 4th QuarterBack to Top
	11:35	Morrison 3pt Shot: Missed
Brooks Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)	11:33
Andersen Jump Shot: Made (15 PTS) Assist: Brooks (4 AST)	11:10 [HOU 82-73]
	10:49	Farmar Jump Shot: Missed
Ariza Rebound (Off:0 Def:7)	10:47
Andersen Layup Shot: Made (17 PTS) Assist: Ariza (4 AST)	10:42 [HOU 84-73]
	10:26	Vujacic 3pt Shot: Missed
Brooks Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)	10:25
Andersen Jump Shot: Made (19 PTS) Assist: Lowry (6 AST)	10:13 [HOU 86-73]
	09:49 [LAL 75-86]	Bynum Layup Shot: Made (16 PTS)
	09:34	Bynum Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Ariza Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	09:34
Team Rebound	09:34
Ariza Free Throw 2 of 2 (9 PTS)	09:34 [HOU 87-75]
	09:19	Vujacic Jump Shot: Missed
Ariza Rebound (Off:0 Def:8)	09:18
Brooks 3pt Shot: Missed	09:11
	09:11	Team Rebound
Ariza Substitution replaced by Budinger	09:11
	08:57	Vujacic 3pt Shot: Missed
	08:56	Bynum Rebound (Off:1 Def:8)
Landry Foul : Shooting (3 PF)	08:50
	08:50	Timeout : Official
	08:50	Artest Substitution replaced by Brown
	08:50	Vujacic Substitution replaced by Odom
	08:50	Morrison Substitution replaced by Bryant
Brooks Substitution replaced by Battier	08:50
	08:50 [LAL 76-87]	Bynum Free Throw 1 of 2 (17 PTS)
	08:50	Bynum Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Andersen Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)	08:49
Landry Jump Shot: Missed	08:40
Landry Rebound (Off:2 Def:5)	08:39
Jump Ball Brown vs Landry (Lowry gains possession)	08:35
Landry Layup Shot: Missed Block: Bynum (5 BLK)	08:18
	08:17	Team Rebound
	07:59 [LAL 78-87]	Bynum Layup Shot: Made (19 PTS)
Andersen Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	07:59
	07:59	Bynum Free Throw 1 of 1 Missed
Budinger Rebound (Off:1 Def:5)	07:59
Battier 3pt Shot: Missed	07:37
Lowry Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)	07:35
Battier 3pt Shot: Missed	07:27
Lowry Rebound (Off:2 Def:4)	07:26
Lowry Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)	07:25 [HOU 89-78]
	07:25	Bynum Foul : Shooting (2 PF)
Lowry Free Throw 1 of 1 (3 PTS)	07:25 [HOU 90-78]
	07:06 [LAL 81-90]	Brown 3pt Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Odom (5 AST)
Landry Jump Shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: Lowry (7 AST)	06:47 [HOU 92-81]
	06:24	Bynum Foul : Offensive (3 PF)
	06:24	Bynum Turnover : Foul (1 TO)
Budinger Substitution replaced by Ariza	06:24
Andersen 3pt Shot: Missed	06:11
	06:10	Bynum Rebound (Off:1 Def:9)
	06:04 [LAL 84-92]	Farmar 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Brown (2 AST)
Landry Jump Shot: Made (11 PTS) Assist: Lowry (8 AST)	05:42 [HOU 94-84]
	05:15	Bryant 3pt Shot: Missed
Landry Rebound (Off:2 Def:6)	05:14
Team Timeout : Regular	05:08
	05:08	Farmar Substitution replaced by Fisher
	05:08	Brown Substitution replaced by Artest
Lowry Substitution replaced by Brooks	05:08
Landry Layup Shot: Made (13 PTS) Assist: Battier (3 AST)	04:59 [HOU 96-84]
	04:39	Odom Foul : Offensive (5 PF)
	04:39	Odom Turnover : Foul (4 TO)
Andersen Foul : Offensive (2 PF)	04:31
Andersen Turnover : Foul (2 TO)	04:31
	04:17	Odom Turnover : Lost Ball (5 TO) Steal:Battier (1 ST)
Ariza 3pt Shot: Missed	04:09
Landry Rebound (Off:3 Def:6)	04:08
Brooks 3pt Shot: Missed	04:04
Brooks Rebound (Off:2 Def:4)	04:02
	03:39	Fisher Foul : Shooting (4 PF)
Brooks Free Throw 1 of 2 (31 PTS)	03:39 [HOU 97-84]
Brooks Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	03:39
	03:38	Bynum Rebound (Off:1 Def:10)
Andersen Foul : Personal (3 PF)	03:36
	03:24	Bryant 3pt Shot: Missed
Team Rebound	03:24
Andersen Turnover : Lost Ball (3 TO) Steal:Bryant (3 ST)	02:59
Ariza Foul : Personal (3 PF)	02:52
	02:52	Team Timeout : Regular
	02:52	Odom Substitution replaced by Brown
	02:46	Bryant Running Jump Shot: Missed
Andersen Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)	02:44
Battier 3pt Shot: Missed	02:22
	02:21	Brown Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
	02:13	Brown 3pt Shot: Missed
Andersen Rebound (Off:1 Def:5)	02:12
	02:12	Fisher Foul : Personal (5 PF)
	02:12	Bryant Substitution replaced by Odom
Ariza Turnover : Traveling (6 TO)	01:52
Landry Foul : Shooting (4 PF)	01:42
	01:42 [LAL 85-97]	Bynum Free Throw 1 of 2 (20 PTS)
	01:42 [LAL 86-97]	Bynum Free Throw 2 of 2 (21 PTS)
Brooks Driving Layup Shot: Made (33 PTS)	01:21 [HOU 99-86]
	01:14 [LAL 89-99]	Artest 3pt Shot: Made (22 PTS) Assist: Brown (3 AST)
Andersen Jump Shot: Missed	00:54.9
	00:53.8	Odom Rebound (Off:1 Def:5)
	00:50.4 [LAL 91-99]	Brown Driving Layup Shot: Made (12 PTS) Assist: Odom (6 AST)
	00:28.4	Brown Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Landry Free Throw 1 of 2 (14 PTS)	00:28.4 [HOU 100-91]
Landry Free Throw 2 of 2 (15 PTS)	00:28.4 [HOU 101-91]
	00:16.9	Fisher 3pt Shot: Missed
Brooks Rebound (Off:2 Def:5)	00:15.8
End of 4th Quarter

broadcast information
country		channel			time
usa		--	FSH	Local	9:30 pm ET
		--	FSW-LAL	Local	9:30 pm ET