Lakers Gameday | 12/22/08 | Lakers 105, Grizzlies 96
 Los Angeles Lakers
Western Conference Standing : 1 Streak: Won 1 |
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 Memphis Grizzlies
Western Conference Standing : 10 Streak: Lost 3 |
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---Francisco Gomez, Lakers.com
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Bryant keys late rally to help Lakers beat Memphis
MEMPHIS, Tenn.(AP) Kobe Bryant scored 36 points and keyed a late rally to help the Los Angeles Lakers snap a two-game losing streak with a 105-96 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night. The Lakers trailed by 93-88 with 3:08 left, but closed the game on a 17-3 run, including 10 points from Bryant to overtake the Grizzlies down the stretch. Bryant was 14-of-23 from the field, part of Los Angeles shooting 54 percent on the night. Pau Gasol had 15 points, seven rebounds and had six assists in his return to Memphis. Gasol played six-plus seasons with the Grizzlies before being traded to Los Angeles in February. Gasol is the Grizzlies franchise leader in 12 statistical categories, including points, rebounds and blocks, and the only All-Star in Grizzlies history (2006). He was met with a mixture of cheers and boos in the pregame introductions. Later, when the Grizzlies presented a video tribute during a timeout, the boos were louder. Rudy Gay led Memphis with 23 points, while O.J. Mayo scored 22 and had six assists. Andrew Bynum had 13 points and Lamar Odom finished with 12. The game was close throughout without either team building a lead of more than eight through the first three quarters. The Lakers had lost their last two games on the road - at Miami and Orlando - by a total of five points. Memphis led 57-49 at the half and couldn't pull away in the third quarter. The two teams got testy as Marc Gasol and Bryant drew technicals. Odom would also draw one for arguing a no-call later in the half. The two teams exchanged leads late in the third period before Memphis carried an 80-77 lead into the fourth quarter. Notes: Monday was the final game of a season-long five-game homestand for the Grizzlies. After winning the first two, Memphis lost three straight. ... Earlier in the day, the Lakers announced that a pair of doctors had confirmed Jordan Farmar suffered a torn lateral meniscus and will need surgery. He could be sidelined for eight weeks. Copyright 2008 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 - Grizzlies Preview
The Los Angeles Lakers are 0-2 on their four-game road trip, but they're not worried heading into Monday's contest against the slumping Memphis Grizzlies. Los Angeles (21-5) has lost consecutive games for the first time this season, falling to Miami and Orlando to open the trip. Kobe Bryant scored a season-high 41 points Saturday, but missed a potential tying 3-pointer in the closing seconds as the Lakers came up short in a 106-103 defeat to the Magic. "They had three guys over at me every time (in the second half),'' said Bryant, who had 25 before halftime. "When I get going, they send everybody." Bryant also missed a possible tying 3 in the final seconds against the Heat on Friday. "Those things are going to happen when you're on the road," coach Phil Jackson said. "Those shots are more friendly at home perhaps. They'll go in. But we had our shots, we took them and they just didn't go in." Jackson may be taking comfort in knowing Bryant has played well versus the Grizzlies of late, averaging 35.0 points in his last nine games against them. He scored 53 in a 114-111 loss March 28 in the teams' most recent meeting, and also had one of his four career 60-point games at Memphis, finishing with 60 in a 121-119 victory March 22, 2007. Los Angeles wraps up its road swing Tuesday at New Orleans, its fourth game in a five-day span. While the Lakers believe they can bounce back from consecutive losses, the Grizzlies (9-17) probably aren't as confident in their ability to avoid a third consecutive defeat. Memphis is coming off a 112-83 home loss to Charlotte on Friday in which O.J. Mayo - leading all rookies and his team at 20.3 points per game - was held under double digits for the first time in his career, finishing with seven points on 2-of-10 shooting. Mayo's rough game was a secondary concern to Grizzlies coach Marc Iavaroni, whose club allowed the Bobcats to shoot 65.8 percent - worst in team history. "We showed our immaturity," Iavaroni said. "We showed that we were satisfied with a pretty good effort against the Hornets where we broke our four-game winning streak. They took the initiative early in this game, and they just amped it up and amped it up. "We found ourselves surprisingly surprised." During the four-game win streak that preceded the back-to-back losses, Memphis limited opponents to 44.7 percent shooting and 95.3 points. Teams are averaging 47.0 percent from the field and 99.2 points versus the Grizzlies this season. The Lakers have averaged 112.5 points in winning three of their last four at Memphis. Copyright 2008 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
GAME NOTES
NOTES & CONNECTIONS The Lakers won last year’s season series with Memphis (2-1) after splitting the previous season’s series with Memphis (2-2) for the second time in series history. Prior to 2004-05, the Lakers had never lost a series to the Grizzlies but have since lost twice and split once. This will be the 50th meeting between the two franchises and the 27th since the Grizzlies moved to Memphis with Los Angeles leading the all-time series 36-13. In their last 10 games versus the Grizzlies, the Lakers are 5-5. The Lakers are 4-6 in their last 10 road game in Memphis. The Lakers are 5- 5 in their last 10 home games against the Grizzlies and are 12-5 all-time at STAPLES Center. Under head coach Phil Jackson, the Lakers are 22-9 against the Grizzlies. Individually, Kobe Bryant is averaging 23.6 points for his career against the Grizzlies in 43 games (36 starts). In their last meeting, Kobe Bryant scored an NBA season-high 53 points. Two seasons ago in Memphis, Kobe Bryant scored a series-high 60 points, becoming only the third player in NBA history to score 50 or more points in three consecutive games en route to a 121- 119 victory. The Lakers’ 121 points tied for the mark for most points given up by the Grizzlies to the Lakers. On January 9, 2007, Memphis scored a series-record 128 points en route to a 128-118 victory over the Lakers at FedEx Forum. On 2/1/08 the Lakers acquired Pau Gasol from Memphis in exchange for Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, Aaron McKie and the rights to his brother, Marc Gasol. Pau and Marc Gasol will be facing off in the NBA for the first time on 12/22/08 in Memphis. Pau remains the franchise leader in 12 statistical categories, including points (8,966), rebounds (4,096) and blocks (877) in six-plus years with Memphis.
LAKERS SCOUTING REPORT
The Memphis Grizzlies are trying to become a team like the recent fastbreaking Phoenix Suns. The emergence of OJ Mayo as their leading scorer is becoming more evident every night.
LAKERS UPDATES
40-POINT GAMES BRYANT PASSES CLYDE DREXLER FOR 21st ON NBA’S ALL-TIME SCORING LIST JACKSON MOVES PAST RED AUERBACH IN GAMES COACHED
JACKSON NAMED WESTERN CONFERENCE COACH OF THE MONTH |
