Lakers-Rockets Preview

By MATT BEARDMORE
Posted Dec 01 2010 12:55AM

After receiving their NBA championship rings, the Los Angeles Lakers came out flat against the Houston Rockets in their season opener. Another title celebration is the last thing on the Lakers' minds these days.

Los Angeles looks to avoid its first four-game losing streak since 2006-07 on Wednesday night, when it makes its only trip to Houston this season to play the Rockets.

After a second straight championship banner was raised to the Staples Center rafters on Oct. 26, Los Angeles trailed Houston by as many as 15 in the first half before rallying for a 112-110 victory.

It was the Lakers' third straight win in this matchup.

"You tell 'em to go enjoy the ring ceremony and then get down to work. It's not always possible to get focused again," coach Phil Jackson said after the victory.

Jackson likely isn't as forgiving now after watching his team drop three straight for just the second time since acquiring Pau Gasol in February 2008. Former Rocket Ron Artest had his potential game-winning 3-point attempt blocked as time expired and Los Angeles (13-5) lost 98-96 at Memphis on Tuesday.

"I went middle and I had the shot that I wanted, but I lost the handle on the ball while I was going up, so I kicked it to Ron," Kobe Bryant said after scoring 29 points.

The Lakers, whose last four-game slide was April 8-13, 2007, will face a Rockets team in far worse shape than the defending champs.

Houston (5-12) has dropped six of eight and has been without Yao Ming (bone bruise, left ankle) and Aaron Brooks (sprained left ankle) for the last 10 and 12 games, respectively.

Coach Rick Adelman has no idea when either of his starters will return.

"I've stopped asking," Adelman said following Monday's 101-91 loss at Dallas. "It's just what the doctor sees as they progress...They both have to get on the floor before we'll know how long it will be."

Without their seven-time All-Star center and floor leader, the Rockets are still looking for someone to step up to help the team close the first half strong.

Houston, shooting 34.0 percent in the final three minutes of the second quarter, was outscored 10-1 in the final 3:09 of the first half Monday.

"It's just the same story," backup center Brad Miller told the Rockets' official website. "... We've just got to find a way to lock it down at one of those points and not allow big runs like that."

Slowing down Bryant would be a good start against Los Angeles, but the Rockets are among the worst defensive teams in the league, allowing 106.4 points per game. Shane Battier will likely see plenty of time against the Lakers superstar, who is shooting 42.8 percent from the field after missing 16 of 25 on Tuesday.

"I think he felt like he had to carry a little bit of the load," Jackson said of Bryant, who had 27 points in the Oct. 26 victory. "... He's going to test the defense, and the other guys are going to have to step in."

Gasol, the league leader with 15 double-doubles, scored a team-high 30 points with eight rebounds in the Lakers' last game in Houston, a 109-101 victory March 27.

Rockets forward Luis Scola, averaging career highs with 20.6 points and 9.1 rebounds, had 18 points and 16 boards in the loss at Staples Center.

Copyright 2010 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

Rockets hand Lakers fourth straight loss, 109-99

By KRISTIE RIEKEN
Posted Dec 02 2010 12:40AM

HOUSTON(AP) The Los Angeles Lakers have lost four straight for the first time since April 2007.

Their latest loss, a 109-99 defeat by the injury-depleted Houston Rockets on Wednesday night, prompted a reporter to ask Kobe Bryant if the Lakers have considered that they aren't as good as they think they are.

"How do you know how good we think we are? We're fine," an obviously annoyed Bryant said. "Are we going to win a three-peat today? Probably not, but the (expletive) is not played today."

Los Angeles coach Phil Jackson denied being concerned about his team.

"Concern? It's way too early in the season, and we've got a long ways to go," he said. "We've got some guys struggling and need to get better."

Kevin Martin scored 22 points and Shane Battier added 11 of his 17 in the final three minutes for the Rockets.

The Lakers led by three before Battier made consecutive 3-pointers to put Houston on top 100-97 with about 2 1/2 minutes remaining.

Bryant, who led the team with 27 points, made a pair of free throws before Battier hit a jump shot that caused the Lakers star to slump his shoulders and shake his head. Los Angeles was then called for a shot clock violation and Bryant missed a 3-pointer on the next trip down the court.

Battier was fouled by Derek Fisher on a 3-point attempt with 41.9 seconds remaining and hit all three free throws to make it 105-99. Houston made four free throws in the last few seconds to secure the win.

"In the fourth quarter, we did all of the things we've struggled with all year," Rockets coach Rick Adelman said. "We got most of the rebounds, we executed really well. Shane was huge ... it was just a solid win for us, obviously our best win of the year. We just hope we can build on this."

Even Battier doesn't put much stock in the Lakers' recent woes.

"People are going to make a lot of their losing streak, but every team goes through it," he said. "We went through it, we're still going through it. Every team, I don't care how good you are, you go through lulls in the season. They're too talented for theirs to last too long. Expect them to go on a winning streak here very soon."

Bryant approached Battier and patted him on the chest at the end of the game before Battier raised a hand to the crowd and left the court to loud cheers.

Bryant is concerned about the play of the Lakers' defense.

"We've got to do a better job," he said. "Houston shot 50 percent tonight ... that's unacceptable for our defense. We're slow. We're slow on rotations. It looks like we're kind of running in quicksand a little."

It was a big win for the undermanned Rockets, who are playing without center Yao Ming and guard Aaron Brooks, who are out indefinitely with ankle injuries.

Luis Scola had 14 points and nine rebounds for the Rockets, and Chase Budinger and Jordan Hill added 10 points apiece.

The Rockets cut the lead to 93-90 with about five minutes left thanks to Martin hitting all three free throws after being fouled by Bryant on a 3-point attempt. Kyle Lowry followed with another 3-pointer.

Houston led by two points early in the fourth quarter before an 11-2 scoring spurt capped by a 3-pointer by Steve Blake put Los Angeles ahead 89-82.

A layup by Martin tied the game at 66 midway through the third quarter and the teams tied and exchanged the lead several more times in the third quarter. A 3-pointer by Lowry tied it again near the end of the period, but Shannon Brown made a pair of free throws to put the Lakers ahead 78-76 entering the fourth quarter.

Lamar Odom had a season-high 25 points with 11 rebounds and two blocks, but did not score in the fourth quarter. Matt Barnes added 14 points and eight rebounds.

Houston used a 13-2 run in the final minutes of the first half to cut the lead to one point, but Bryant hit a jump shot at the buzzer to give Los Angeles a 56-53 halftime lead.

The Rockets got within four points about six minutes before halftime but a 3-pointer by Shannon Brown followed by a pair of free throws by Bryant stretched the lead to 45-36.

Houston led by two points after a 3-pointer by Budinger with about a minute left in the first quarter. Then Los Angeles went on an 11-2 run fueled by five points from Odom to take a 32-25 lead early in the second quarter.

NOTES: Pau Gasol struggled with a tight hamstring on Wednesday and said he hopes it will be better with rest. ... Yao, who has missed the last 11 games with his injury, drew a small crowd while shooting on Houston's practice court about 90 minutes before the game. The onlookers peered through the glass and many took pictures and cell phone videos of the All-Star. ... Players from both teams wore red and white shooting shirts to raise awareness for Wednesday's World AIDS Day.

Copyright 2010 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

Lakers-Rockets notebook

By Matt Miller, for NBA.com
Posted Thursday December 2, 2010 12:16AM

THE FACTS: Shane Battier scored 11 points in the final three minutes of regulation to lift the Houston Rockets to a 109-99 victory over the reeling Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday at Toyota Center.

Kevin Martin paced Houston's attack after halftime, scoring 20 of his team-high 22 in the third and fourth quarters. Battier put up 17 points on 5-for-7 shooting, while Luis Scola scored 14 and grabbed nine rebounds.

Kobe Bryant led all scorers with 27 points but shot just 10-for-24 from the field. Lamar Odom posted a double-double for the Lakers (13-6), scoring a season-high 25 points to go with his 11 boards.

Wednesday's loss was L.A.'s fourth in a row. The Lakers last lost four consecutive games in April 2007.

QUOTABLE: "The last five minutes [of the game] was our five minutes."
-- Rockets coach Rick Adelman

THE STAT: Odom and Pau Gasol did not score in the fourth quarter as the Lakers shot 5-for-22 (22.7 percent).

TURNING POINT: Houston (6-12) trailed 97-94 with less than three minutes remaining in the game when Battier connected on back-to-back 3-pointers from the corner to power a 15-2 run that sent the Rockets to their third straight home win.

QUOTABLE II: "Usually the Lakers give up that corner 3 because Kobe doesn't really play me. He roams off of me. ... I shot the first one, and the second one was tougher because Gasol was running at me."
-- Battier on the two treys he sank that gave the Rockets a lead they never relinquished

HOT: Odom was sensational for the Lakers during the first three quarters, connecting on 11-for-14 shots. Even an 0-for-2 outing in the fourth didn't diminish one of Odom's best performances of the season. Odom has now shot 54 percent or better in five of his last six games.

NOT: The Rockets effectively contained Gasol, limiting him to a season-low eight points and nine rebounds. Gasol, who scored 29 and pulled down 11 rebounds in the Lakers' 112-110 victory over Houston on Oct. 26, had just two points and four rebounds in the second half Wednesday. A sore hamstring could have been the source of Gasol's lackluster effort. "[My hamstring] bothered me out there," Gasol said. "It didn't get loose at all. ... I'm concerned that it doesn't get better [and] we'll really have a problem."

FANTASY SPOTLIGHT: Although Martin continues to post solid numbers for Houston, fantasy owners should be wary of his recent shooting slump. Including Wednesday's game, Martin has shot 31.7 percent (26-for-82) over his last five games.

INSIDE THE ARENA: Recording artist Ashley Monical sang the national anthem. ... The Rockets played before an announced crowd of 18,116 Wednesday, marking their third sellout of this season.

GOOD MOVE: Adelman appears to have developed a great deal of trust in second-year forward Jordan Hill, who scored in double digits for the fourth consecutive game Wednesday. Hill also kept Gasol off the boards and the scoreboard for much of the fourth quarter, earning praise from his coach and possibly more minutes on the court.

QUOTABLE III: "We are not playing well, and it's a joke."
-- Odom on the Lakers' recent struggles

ROOKIE WATCH: Rockets reserve point guard Ishmael Smith scored four points (2-for-2 shooting), dished out two assists, grabbed three rebounds, and committed one turnover in 12-plus minutes of action Wednesday.

NOTABLE: Houston overcame a double-digit deficit (12 points) to win for the first time this season. ... The Lakers are going through their first four-game losing skid since trading for Gasol. ... Houston has won three consecutive home games for the first time this season. ... The Rockets had lost four straight regular-season games against L.A. at Toyota Center. ... Martin had a streak of 19 consecutive games with at least one 3-pointer snapped after an 0-for-4 performance from beyond the arc Wednesday. ... Scola has scored in double figures in 14 straight games.

UP NEXT: For the Lakers, Friday vs. Sacramento, Tuesday vs. Washington, Dec. 8 @ L.A. Clippers. For the Rockets, Friday @ Memphis, Saturday @ Chicago, Tuesday vs. Detroit.

• Lakers: Bynum, Ratliff
• Rockets: Brooks, Ming, Patterson

• Lakers: Barnes
• Rockets: Scola

• Lead Changes: 14
• Times Tied: 10

• Arena: Toyota Center, Houston, TX
• Officials: #8 Marc Davis, #68 Marat Kogut, #65 Sean Wright
• Attendance: 18116
• Duration: 2:14

Los Angeles Lakers (13-6)		Houston Rockets (6-12)
Start of 1st Quarter
(12:00) Jump Ball Scola vs Gasol (Hayes gains possession)
	11:35	Martin Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Bryant (1 ST)
Odom Turnaround Fade Away shot: Missed	11:19
	11:17	Scola Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	11:00 [HOU 2-0]	Scola Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Martin (1 AST)
Gasol Jump Shot: Missed	10:38
	10:37	Scola Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	10:30	Martin 3pt Shot: Missed
Bryant Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	10:29
Odom Jump Hook Shot: Made (2 PTS)	10:14 [LAL 2-2]
	09:48 [HOU 4-2]	Scola Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Lowry (1 AST)
Artest Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Bryant (1 AST)	09:34 [LAL 4-4]
	09:15	Martin Running Jump Shot: Missed Block: Odom (1 BLK)
	09:15	Team Rebound
	09:12	Martin Layup Shot: Missed
Artest Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	09:11
Artest Jump Shot: Missed	08:57
Gasol Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	08:56
	08:55	Scola Foul : Personal (1 PF)
	08:55	Scola Technical
Bryant Free Throw Technical (1 PTS)	08:55 [LAL 5-4]
Bryant Running Layup Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Fisher (1 AST)	08:45 [LAL 7-4]
	08:24	Lowry 3pt Shot: Missed
	08:22	Battier Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
Artest Foul : Personal (1 PF)	08:18
	08:04	Martin 3pt Shot: Missed
	08:03	Lowry Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
	07:59	Martin 3pt Shot: Missed
Odom Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	07:58
Fisher Jump Shot: Missed	07:52
	07:50	Battier Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	07:45	Lowry Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Odom (1 ST)
Odom Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Lowry (1 ST)	07:42
	07:35 [HOU 6-7]	Hayes Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Scola (1 AST)
Artest Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	07:35
Artest Substitution replaced by Barnes	07:35
	07:35	Hayes Free Throw 1 of 1 Missed
Gasol Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	07:35
Bryant Turnaround Bank shot: Missed	07:21
Bryant Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	07:19
Gasol Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Bryant (2 AST)	07:16 [LAL 9-6]
Team Violation : Delay Of Game	07:14
	06:59 [HOU 8-9]	Hayes Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Martin (2 AST)
	06:48	Martin Foul : Personal (1 PF)
Gasol Turnaround Jump Shot: Missed	06:41
	06:39	Battier Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
	06:31	Scola Jump Shot: Missed
Odom Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	06:29
Odom Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS)	06:24 [LAL 11-8]
	06:09 [HOU 10-11]	Hayes Jump Bank Shot: Made (6 PTS)
Bryant Driving Jump shot: Made (5 PTS)	05:59 [LAL 13-10]
	05:50	Martin 3pt Shot: Missed
Odom Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	05:48
Barnes Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Scola (1 ST)	05:39
Bryant Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	05:35
	05:35	Team Timeout : Regular
	05:35 [HOU 11-13]	Lowry Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)
	05:35 [HOU 12-13]	Lowry Free Throw 2 of 2 (2 PTS)
Bryant Turnaround Jump Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Odom (1 AST)	05:15 [LAL 15-12]
	04:57	Martin Pullup Jump shot: Missed
Barnes Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	04:55
Fisher Turnaround Jump Shot: Missed	04:35
	04:33	Scola Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	04:25	Hayes Turnover : Step Out of Bounds Turnover (1 TO)
	04:25	Martin Substitution replaced by Lee
Bryant Running Layup Shot: Missed Block: Hayes (1 BLK)	04:13
	04:10	Hayes Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	03:55	Scola Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Bryant (2 ST)
Bryant Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Lee (1 ST)	03:50
	03:45	Scola Jump Shot: Missed
	03:45	Team Rebound
	03:45	Scola Substitution replaced by Miller
	03:45	Battier Substitution replaced by Budinger
	03:30 [HOU 15-15]	Budinger 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Lowry (2 AST)
Gasol Foul : Offensive (1 PF)	03:16
Gasol Turnover : Foul (1 TO)	03:16
	03:16	Hayes Substitution replaced by Hill
	02:59 [HOU 17-15]	Budinger Driving Dunk Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Hill (1 AST)
	02:35	Miller Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Team Timeout : Regular	02:35
Bryant Substitution replaced by Blake	02:35
Fisher Substitution replaced by Brown	02:35
Gasol Free Throw 1 of 2 (3 PTS)	02:35 [LAL 16-17]
Gasol Free Throw 2 of 2 (4 PTS)	02:35 [LAL 17-17]
	02:17 [HOU 20-17]	Lee 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Lowry (3 AST)
Gasol Turnaround Hook Shot: Made (6 PTS)	01:53 [LAL 19-20]
	01:46	Hill Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Blake (1 ST)
Barnes Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Gasol (1 AST)	01:34 [LAL 21-20]
	01:09 [HOU 23-21]	Budinger 3pt Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Hill (2 AST)
Odom 3pt Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Blake (1 AST)	00:57.6 [LAL 24-23]
	00:42.8	Budinger Jump Shot: Missed
Odom Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)	00:41.7
Odom Jump Shot: Made (9 PTS)	00:24.9 [LAL 26-23]
Barnes Foul : Loose Ball (1 PF)	00:24.9
Gasol Substitution replaced by Caracter	00:24.9
	00:00.8	Miller 3pt Shot: Missed
	00:00.0	Team Rebound
End of 1st Quarter
Los Angeles Lakers (13-6)		Houston Rockets (6-12)
Start of 2nd QuarterBack to Top
Brown Fade Away Jumper Shot: Made (2 PTS)	11:45 [LAL 28-23]
	11:28	Budinger Jump Shot: Missed
Brown Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	11:26
Barnes Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Caracter (1 AST)	11:14 [LAL 30-23]
	10:59	Hill Turnover : Traveling (2 TO)
Caracter Hook Shot: Missed	10:37
	10:35	Smith Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	10:31	Hill Layup Shot: Missed
	10:30	Miller Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
	10:28 [HOU 25-30]	Miller Jump Hook Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Caracter Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Blake (2 AST)	10:08 [LAL 32-25]
	09:51 [HOU 27-32]	Hill Driving Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Brown Driving Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS)	09:34 [LAL 34-27]
	09:18	Lee Dunk Shot: Missed Block: Caracter (1 BLK)
Odom Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)	09:16
Odom Jump Shot: Made (11 PTS)	09:10 [LAL 36-27]
	09:01	Team Timeout : Regular
	08:53 [HOU 29-36]	Miller Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Smith (1 AST)
Odom 3pt Shot: Missed	08:32
Blake Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	08:31
Blake Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Smith (1 ST)	08:29
Blake Foul : Loose Ball (1 PF)	08:29
	08:08 [HOU 32-36]	Lee 3pt Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Budinger (1 AST)
Odom Jump Shot: Made (13 PTS) Assist: Brown (1 AST)	07:46 [LAL 38-32]
	07:23	Lee Floating Jump shot: Missed
	07:21	Hill Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
	07:18 [HOU 34-38]	Hill Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS)
Odom Turnaround Hook Shot: Made (15 PTS) Assist: Blake (3 AST)	07:02 [LAL 40-34]
	06:49	Miller 3pt Shot: Missed
Blake Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	06:48
Brown Pullup Jump shot: Missed	06:33
	06:31	Smith Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	06:26 [HOU 36-40]	Hill Slam Dunk Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Smith (2 AST)
Team Timeout : Regular	06:17
Odom Substitution replaced by Artest	06:17
Barnes Substitution replaced by Gasol	06:17
Blake Substitution replaced by Bryant	06:17
Caracter Substitution replaced by Fisher	06:17
Brown 3pt Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Gasol (2 AST)	06:11 [LAL 43-36]
	06:02	Budinger 3pt Shot: Missed
Gasol Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	06:01
	05:42	Lee Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Bryant Free Throw 1 of 2 (8 PTS)	05:42 [LAL 44-36]
	05:42	Miller Substitution replaced by Scola
Bryant Free Throw 2 of 2 (9 PTS)	05:42 [LAL 45-36]
	05:21 [HOU 38-45]	Smith Running Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Artest Jump Shot: Missed	04:58
	04:56	Lee Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	04:43	Hill Jump Shot: Missed
	04:41	Budinger Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
	04:34 [HOU 40-45]	Smith Driving Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS)
Artest Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Bryant (3 AST)	04:14 [LAL 47-40]
	04:04	Scola Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Brown (1 ST)
Bryant Layup Shot: Made (11 PTS) Assist: Brown (2 AST)	03:59 [LAL 49-40]
	03:54	Team Timeout : Short
	03:54	Lee Substitution replaced by Martin
	03:54	Budinger Substitution replaced by Battier
	03:54	Smith Substitution replaced by Lowry
	03:41	Lowry Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Bryant (3 ST)
Fisher Pullup Jump shot: Missed	03:29
Gasol Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)	03:27
Fisher 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Brown (3 AST)	03:23 [LAL 52-40]
	02:57 [HOU 42-52]	Hill Jump Hook Shot: Made (8 PTS)
Team Timeout : Short	02:47
	02:47
	02:47	Hill Substitution replaced by Hayes
Brown Substitution replaced by Odom	02:47
Fisher Running Jump Shot: Missed	02:39
Gasol Rebound (Off:3 Def:2)	02:38
Gasol Tip Shot: Missed	02:38
Bryant Rebound (Off:2 Def:1)	02:37
Bryant Tip Shot: Made (13 PTS)	02:37 [LAL 54-42]
Fisher Foul : Personal (1 PF)	02:23
	02:11 [HOU 45-54]	Battier 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Martin (3 AST)
Bryant Jump Bank Shot: Missed	01:53
	01:51	Hayes Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	01:45 [HOU 47-54]	Hayes Reverse Layup Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Lowry (4 AST)
Fisher Running Jump Shot: Missed	01:25
	01:22	Scola Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
	01:16	Battier 3pt Shot: Missed
Artest Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	01:15
Bryant Layup Shot: Missed	00:57.9
	00:56.8	Battier Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)
	00:52.3 [HOU 49-54]	Scola Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Lowry (5 AST)
Bryant Turnaround Jump Shot: Missed Block: Battier (1 BLK)	00:41.8
	00:40.7	Hayes Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	00:35.3 [HOU 51-54]	Martin Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Lowry (6 AST)
	00:26.2	Lowry Foul : Personal (1 PF)
Fisher Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Lowry (2 ST)	00:16.9
	00:16.2 [HOU 53-54]	Scola Slam Dunk Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Lowry (7 AST)
Bryant Turnaround Fade Away shot: Made (15 PTS)	00:00.0 [LAL 56-53]
End of 2nd Quarter
Los Angeles Lakers (13-6)		Houston Rockets (6-12)
Start of 3rd QuarterBack to Top
Bryant Turnaround Fade Away shot: Made (17 PTS)	11:36 [LAL 58-53]
	11:21	Lowry 3pt Shot: Missed
Odom Rebound (Off:0 Def:6)	11:20
Bryant Turnaround Jump Shot: Missed	11:09
	11:07	Hayes Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
	10:51 [HOU 55-58]	Martin Running Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS)
	10:33	Lowry Foul : Personal (2 PF)
Artest Jump Shot: Missed	10:28
	10:28	Team Rebound
Bryant Foul : Loose Ball (2 PF)	10:28
	10:09	Hayes Layup Shot: Missed
Odom Rebound (Off:0 Def:7)	10:08
Odom Fade Away Jumper Shot: Made (17 PTS)	09:58 [LAL 60-55]
	09:39	Battier Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Bryant (4 ST)
	09:36	Martin Foul : Personal (2 PF)
	09:30	Scola Foul : Shooting (2 PF)
Artest Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	09:30
Team Rebound	09:30
Artest Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	09:30
	09:30	Scola Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)
	09:10 [HOU 57-60]	Scola Jump Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Martin (4 AST)
Bryant Jump Shot: Missed	08:51
Team Rebound	08:51
	08:48	Martin Foul : Personal (3 PF)
	08:41	Battier Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Odom Free Throw 1 of 2 (18 PTS)	08:41 [LAL 61-57]
Odom Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	08:41
	08:39	Team Rebound
	08:32 [HOU 59-61]	Martin Dunk Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Battier (1 AST)
Fisher Jump Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Gasol (3 AST)	08:15 [LAL 63-59]
	07:54	Martin Jump Shot: Missed
Gasol Rebound (Off:3 Def:3)	07:54
Bryant Jump Shot: Missed	07:38
	07:36	Battier Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)
	07:23 [HOU 62-63]	Battier 3pt Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Lowry (8 AST)
Fisher Foul : Offensive (2 PF)	07:07
Fisher Turnover : Foul (2 TO)	07:07
	06:51 [HOU 64-63]	Martin Pullup Jump shot: Made (8 PTS)
Odom 3pt Shot: Made (21 PTS)	06:39 [LAL 66-64]
	06:20	Scola Hook Shot: Missed
	06:18	Hayes Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)
	06:09 [HOU 66-66]	Martin Driving Layup Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Battier (2 AST)
	05:53	Hayes Foul : Personal (1 PF)
	05:53	Team Timeout : Regular
Artest Substitution replaced by Barnes	05:53
Fisher Substitution replaced by Blake	05:53
Gasol Free Throw 1 of 2 (7 PTS)	05:53 [LAL 67-66]
Gasol Free Throw 2 of 2 (8 PTS)	05:53 [LAL 68-66]
Barnes Foul : Personal (2 PF)	05:37
Barnes Foul : Shooting (3 PF)	05:32
	05:32 [HOU 67-68]	Martin Free Throw 1 of 3 (11 PTS)
	05:32 [HOU 68-68]	Martin Free Throw 2 of 3 (12 PTS)
	05:32 [HOU 69-68]	Martin Free Throw 3 of 3 (13 PTS)
Odom Driving Layup Shot: Made (23 PTS) Assist: Bryant (4 AST)	05:15 [LAL 70-69]
	05:03 [HOU 71-70]	Scola Jump Hook Shot: Made (12 PTS)
Bryant Driving Jump shot: Missed Block: Battier (2 BLK)	04:44
Team Rebound	04:44
Odom Pullup Jump shot: Missed	04:37
Barnes Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	04:35
Blake 3pt Shot: Missed	04:28
	04:26	Lowry Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	04:21	Battier 3pt Shot: Missed
Barnes Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	04:19
Odom Layup Shot: Made (25 PTS) Assist: Blake (4 AST)	04:16 [LAL 72-71]
	03:53	Martin Jump Shot: Missed
Gasol Rebound (Off:3 Def:4)	03:51
Blake Turnover : Backcourt Turnover (2 TO)	03:38
	03:27	Martin Jump Shot: Missed
Bryant Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)	03:26
Bryant Turnaround Jump Shot: Made (19 PTS)	03:15 [LAL 74-71]
Blake Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	03:09
	03:09	Hayes Substitution replaced by Hill
	03:09	Battier Substitution replaced by Budinger
	03:09 [HOU 72-74]	Martin Free Throw 1 of 2 (14 PTS)
	03:09 [HOU 73-74]	Martin Free Throw 2 of 2 (15 PTS)
Bryant Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO)	02:53
Team Timeout : Regular	02:53
	02:53	Martin Substitution replaced by Lee
Bryant Substitution replaced by Brown	02:53
	02:41	Scola Jump Shot: Missed
	02:40	Scola Rebound (Off:1 Def:5)
	02:32	Scola Jump Shot: Missed Block: Odom (2 BLK)
	02:32	Team Rebound
	02:29	Lee Pullup Jump shot: Missed
Barnes Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)	02:28
Barnes Turnover : Out of Bounds Lost Ball Turnover (2 TO)	02:27
	02:13	Budinger 3pt Shot: Missed
Odom Rebound (Off:0 Def:8)	02:11
Gasol Turnaround Hook Shot: Missed	01:56
	01:54	Scola Rebound (Off:1 Def:6)
	01:40	Hill Jump Shot: Missed
Barnes Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)	01:39
Barnes Jump Shot: Missed Block: Budinger (1 BLK)	01:24
Barnes Rebound (Off:2 Def:4)	01:23
Barnes Putback Layup Shot: Made (6 PTS)	01:23 [LAL 76-73]
	00:57.0 [HOU 76-76]	Lowry 3pt Shot: Made (5 PTS)
	00:40.2	Budinger Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
	00:40.2	Lowry Substitution replaced by Smith
Brown Free Throw 1 of 2 (8 PTS)	00:40.2 [LAL 77-76]
Gasol Substitution replaced by Caracter	00:40.2
	00:40.2	Scola Substitution replaced by Miller
Brown Free Throw 2 of 2 (9 PTS)	00:40.2 [LAL 78-76]
	00:21.9	Miller Jump Shot: Missed
Odom Rebound (Off:0 Def:9)	00:20.9
End of 3rd Quarter
Los Angeles Lakers (13-6)		Houston Rockets (6-12)
Start of 4th QuarterBack to Top
	11:49	Hill Foul : Offensive (1 PF)
	11:49	Hill Turnover : Foul (3 TO)
Barnes 3pt Shot: Missed	11:34
	11:33	Miller Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	11:24 [HOU 78-78]	Miller Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Lee (1 AST)
	11:01	Miller Foul : Personal (2 PF)
Odom Jump Shot: Missed	10:46
	10:45	Budinger Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
Caracter Foul : Personal (1 PF)	10:24
	10:20 [HOU 80-78]	Budinger Layup Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Miller (1 AST)
Brown Running Jump Shot: Missed	09:58
	09:56	Hill Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	09:50	Smith Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Brown (2 ST)
Barnes Layup Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Brown (4 AST)	09:45 [LAL 80-80]
	09:45	Budinger Foul : Shooting (2 PF)
Barnes Free Throw 1 of 1 (9 PTS)	09:45 [LAL 81-80]
	09:33	Lee Jump Shot: Missed
Blake Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	09:32
Barnes Layup Shot: Made (11 PTS) Assist: Blake (5 AST)	09:26 [LAL 83-80]
	09:26	Miller Foul : Shooting (3 PF)
	09:26	Team Timeout : Regular
Caracter Substitution replaced by Gasol	09:26
Barnes Free Throw 1 of 1 (12 PTS)	09:26 [LAL 84-80]
	09:10 [HOU 82-84]	Miller Layup Shot: Made (8 PTS)
Brown 3pt Shot: Missed	08:52
	08:50	Smith Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	08:40	Hill Jump Hook Shot: Missed
Gasol Rebound (Off:3 Def:5)	08:38
	08:23	Hill Foul : Shooting (2 PF)
Brown Free Throw 1 of 2 (10 PTS)	08:23 [LAL 85-82]
	08:23	Smith Substitution replaced by Lowry
Brown Free Throw 2 of 2 (11 PTS)	08:23 [LAL 86-82]
	08:03	Budinger Jump Shot: Missed Block: Gasol (1 BLK)
	08:01	Budinger Rebound (Off:2 Def:1)
	08:00	Budinger Turnaround Jump Shot: Missed Block: Barnes (1 BLK)
Blake Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)	08:00
Gasol Turnaround Jump Shot: Missed Block: Hill (1 BLK)	07:46
Odom Rebound (Off:1 Def:9)	07:44
Blake 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Odom (2 AST)	07:40 [LAL 89-82]
Barnes Technical	07:40
	07:40	Lee Free Throw Technical Missed
	07:40	Team Rebound
	07:20 [HOU 84-89]	Lee Layup Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Miller (2 AST)
Brown 3pt Shot: Missed	07:05
Barnes Rebound (Off:3 Def:4)	07:03
	07:02	Miller Foul : Personal (4 PF)
Barnes Free Throw 1 of 2 (13 PTS)	07:02 [LAL 90-84]
Barnes Free Throw 2 of 2 (14 PTS)	07:02 [LAL 91-84]
	06:46	Hill Jump Shot: Missed
Blake Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)	06:45
Blake Turnover : Traveling (3 TO)	06:29
	06:29	Miller Substitution replaced by Scola
Barnes Substitution replaced by Bryant	06:29
	06:29	Budinger Substitution replaced by Martin
Bryant Foul : Shooting (3 PF)	06:12
	06:12	Lee Substitution replaced by Battier
	06:12 [HOU 85-91]	Martin Free Throw 1 of 3 (16 PTS)
	06:12 [HOU 86-91]	Martin Free Throw 2 of 3 (17 PTS)
	06:12 [HOU 87-91]	Martin Free Throw 3 of 3 (18 PTS)
Bryant Step Back Jump shot: Made (21 PTS)	05:53 [LAL 93-87]
	05:37 [HOU 90-93]	Lowry 3pt Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Scola (2 AST)
Blake Jump Shot: Missed	05:14
	05:13	Hill Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
Bryant Foul : Shooting (4 PF)	05:06
	05:06
Blake Substitution replaced by Fisher	05:06
Brown Substitution replaced by Barnes	05:06
	05:06 [HOU 91-93]	Scola Free Throw 1 of 2 (13 PTS)
	05:06 [HOU 92-93]	Scola Free Throw 2 of 2 (14 PTS)
	04:44	Battier Foul : Shooting (2 PF)
Bryant Free Throw 1 of 2 (22 PTS)	04:44 [LAL 94-92]
Bryant Free Throw 2 of 2 (23 PTS)	04:44 [LAL 95-92]
	04:25 [HOU 94-95]	Martin Jump Shot: Made (20 PTS) Assist: Scola (3 AST)
Gasol Running Hook Shot: Missed	04:05
	04:03	Scola Rebound (Off:1 Def:7)
Odom Foul : Personal (1 PF)	04:00
	03:46	Martin Jump Shot: Missed
Odom Rebound (Off:1 Def:10)	03:45
Bryant Step Back Jump shot: Missed	03:32
Barnes Rebound (Off:4 Def:4)	03:30
Fisher 3pt Shot: Missed	03:27
	03:26	Battier Rebound (Off:1 Def:5)
	03:25	Battier Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO)
Team Timeout : Regular	03:25
Bryant Turnaround Fade Away shot: Made (25 PTS)	03:10 [LAL 97-94]
	02:51 [HOU 97-97]	Battier 3pt Shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: Lowry (9 AST)
Bryant Turnaround Jump Shot: Missed	02:36
	02:34	Scola Rebound (Off:1 Def:8)
	02:28 [HOU 100-97]	Battier 3pt Shot: Made (12 PTS) Assist: Lowry (10 AST)
	02:16	Battier Foul : Personal (3 PF)
Bryant Free Throw 1 of 2 (26 PTS)	02:16 [LAL 98-100]
Bryant Free Throw 2 of 2 (27 PTS)	02:16 [LAL 99-100]
	01:54 [HOU 102-99]	Battier Jump Shot: Made (14 PTS)
	01:46	Battier Violation:Kicked Ball
Fisher Jump Shot: Missed	01:30
Team Rebound	01:30
Team Turnover : Shot Clock Turnover	01:30
	01:30	Team Timeout : Regular
	01:21	Martin Turnover : Traveling (2 TO)
Bryant 3pt Shot: Missed	01:04
	01:02	Hill Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)
Fisher Foul : Shooting (3 PF)	00:41.9
	00:41.9 [HOU 103-99]	Battier Free Throw 1 of 3 (15 PTS)
	00:41.9 [HOU 104-99]	Battier Free Throw 2 of 3 (16 PTS)
	00:41.9 [HOU 105-99]	Battier Free Throw 3 of 3 (17 PTS)
Team Timeout : Short	00:41.9
Bryant 3pt Shot: Missed	00:36.9
	00:35.6	Team Rebound
Gasol Foul : Loose Ball (2 PF)	00:35.6
	00:35.6 [HOU 106-99]	Hill Free Throw 1 of 2 (9 PTS)
	00:35.6 [HOU 107-99]	Hill Free Throw 2 of 2 (10 PTS)
Odom 3pt Shot: Missed	00:29.9
	00:27.8	Martin Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
Fisher Foul : Personal Take (4 PF)	00:21.5
	00:21.5 [HOU 108-99]	Martin Free Throw 1 of 2 (21 PTS)
	00:21.5 [HOU 109-99]	Martin Free Throw 2 of 2 (22 PTS)
Bryant 3pt Shot: Missed	00:14.9
Gasol Rebound (Off:4 Def:5)	00:12.9
Barnes 3pt Shot: Missed	00:08.9
	00:06.9	Martin Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
End of 4th Quarter

broadcast information
country		channel			time
usa			League Pass		8:30 pm ET
		--	FSH	Local	8:30 pm ET
		--	KCAL-LAL	Local	8:30 pm ET
		--	KILT	Local	8:30 pm ET
		--	KSPN	Local	8:30 pm ET