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	<channel>		<title>RUWT? News</title>
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		<description>RUWT? News for Los Angeles Lakers</description>
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		<lastBuildDate>Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:07:36 GMT</lastBuildDate>
		<pubDate>Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:07:36 GMT</pubDate>
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			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Thunder-Lakers Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By MATT BECKER
STATS Senior Writer

Oklahoma City (7-6) at Los Angeles (9-3), 9:30 p.m. EDT

The Oklahoma City Thunder gave the Lakers nearly all they could
handle earlier this month, but Los Angeles was missing a key
part of its championship team.

That will no longer be the case when they meet this time.

After missing the first three weeks of the season with an
injury, Pau Gasol looks to build on an impressive debut and help
the Lakers win their 11th straight over the Oklahoma City
franchise Sunday night at Staples Center.

Gasol was instrumental to Los Angeles' championship run in June,
but suffered a right hamstring injury early in the preseason and
missed the first 11 games for the Lakers (9-3).

The two-time All-Star made his season debut in Thursday's 108-93
victory over Chicago and didn't seem to miss a step, scoring 10
of Los Angeles' first 13 points. Gasol finished with 24 points
and 13 rebounds in 34 minutes, moving easily on his injured leg.

"I wasn't really expecting to be as effective as I was," he
said. "You know, I just played and had fun. I took advantage of
the opportunities. I went to the glass pretty well. My teammates
found me a couple of times and my legs felt a little better than
I thought."

With Gasol back, the Lakers can finally begin building team
chemistry around him and Kobe Bryant. Los Angeles is still
missing key reserve Luke Walton (back surgery), but can now
create mismatches in the paint with 7-footers Andrew Bynum and
Gasol on the floor at the same time.

"We have our squad now," said Bryant, who finished with 21
points Thursday to pass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (24,276) for second
place on the Lakers' career scoring list, trailing only Jerry
West (25,192). "Obviously, we can't wait to get Luke back, but
having Pau back is huge. We didn't miss a beat, either. We have
a bunch of guys that can post. We have the advantage."

Bryant's presence alone can usually give the Lakers enough of an
advantage over most teams, but Los Angeles needed overtime to
beat the Thunder 101-98 on Nov. 3. The 11-time All-Star, who had
suffered from flulike symptoms earlier that day, finished with a
game-high 31 points and connected on a turnaround jumper from
the left side with 2:29 to play to put Los Angeles ahead for
good.

Bryant is averaging 34.3 points during the Lakers' 10-game
winning streak over the Thunder since a 117-101 loss on Nov. 5,
2006, when the franchise was based in Seattle.

Gasol is averaging 18.0 points and 10.8 rebounds in four games
against Oklahoma City since being acquired the Lakers acquired
him from Memphis in 2008.

The Thunder (7-6) arrive in Los Angeles winners of four of their
last six, including Friday's 127-108 victory over Washington.

Kevin Durant scored 35 points and Russell Westbrook added 26 to
lead Oklahoma City to its highest scoring output of the season.

Despite that effort, coach Scott Brooks would like to see his
team play better defense. Oklahoma City has allowed 108 points
in each of its last two games after yielding an average of 91.0
in its first 11.

"Sometimes we have to continue to get better at playing our
style of basketball," Brooks said. "We have to do things who we
are, and we are a defensive team that gets stops and gets
excited on the defensive end."]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/136181-Thunder-Lakers-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/136181-Thunder-Lakers-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Sun, 22 Nov 2009 01:58:18 GMT</pubDate>
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			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Gasol scores 24 in debut, Lakers top Bulls 108-93]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By GREG BEACHAM
AP Sports Writer

LOS ANGELES(AP) -- Until Thursday night, Pau Gasol had made more
appearances this fall on "CSI: Miami" than in the Los Angeles
Lakers' starting lineup.

The Spanish 7-footer finally got back to his day job in a
dynamic season debut that suggested just how good the defending
NBA champions can be when they're whole.

Gasol had 24 points and 13 rebounds, and Kobe Bryant scored 21
points while passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on the Lakers' career
scoring chart in Los Angeles' 108-93 victory over the Chicago
Bulls.

Ron Artest added 15 points for the Lakers, who finally had their
full starting lineup intact for their ninth victory in 12 games
to start the season. Although key reserve Luke Walton is out
following back surgery, Los Angeles finally can begin building
team chemistry around Bryant and Gasol, the pillars of their
title run last summer.

"Definitely, I missed it a lot," said Gasol, who sat out the
Lakers' first 11 games with a right hamstring injury. "It's so
much fun to play with our guys in front of our crowd. I really
wasn't expecting to be as effective as I was tonight, but my
teammates found me a couple of times and made it easy."

Although Gasol confessed to loving the extra-long timeouts of a
nationally televised game, he appeared fully healthy in his
first appearance since early in the preseason. Gasol scored 10
of the Lakers' first 13 points, moving easily on his injured leg
while playing 34 minutes.

"It feels great. We have our squad now," Bryant said.
"Obviously, we can't wait to get Luke back, but having Pau back
is huge. We didn't miss a beat, either. We have a bunch of guys
that can post. We have the advantage."

Bryant clearly took a back seat to Gasol early on in a 7-for-21
shooting night, but still added nine rebounds and eight assists.
And two days after Bryant posted his 100th career 40-point game,
he reached yet another milestone.

With a free throw in the third quarter, Bryant passed
Abdul-Jabbar (24,276) for second place on the Lakers' career
scoring list, leaving him trailing only Jerry West (25,192).

With 7-footers Andrew Bynum and Gasol in a starting lineup
described by Chicago coach Vinny Del Negro as "really, really
long," the champs had little trouble with the Bulls, opening a
20-point lead in the third quarter before beating them for the
eighth time in nine meetings.

Derrick Rose had 20 points and John Salmons scored all 18 of his
points in the first half for the Bulls, who lost on the second
stop of a taxing six-game road trip.

"Their length is definitely their biggest strength," said Joakim
Noah, who had 12 points and 15 rebounds. "To me, the most
amazing thing about it is you're out there competing hard, and
these guys are hardly breaking a sweat because they're so
comfortable running their offense. They look like it's very
easy."

Before beating Sacramento on Tuesday, the Bulls were 9-56 since
Michael Jordan's departure on the annual fall road trip made
necessary by the circus occupying the United Center around
Thanksgiving. Chicago still must stop in Denver, Portland, Utah
and Milwaukee before getting home in December.

Although Bryant's shot was off early, he scored 11 points in the
second quarter to put Los Angeles up 53-42 at halftime. Rose's
2-for-11 shooting in the first half slowed down the Bulls, who
had won two straight.

"It definitely wasn't the right time (to face the Lakers)," Rose
said. "You've got two 7-footers out there tipping balls to each
other. It's tough. Doesn't matter if it's (Gasol's) first game
or last. He's a great player."

Gasol played in just two preseason games before sitting down
with a hamstring injury that didn't appear to improve much with
rest. He wondered aloud whether his hectic schedule over the
past two years - including a summer with an NBA title run and a
tournament MVP award at the European championships in Poland -
had worn down his body.

Gasol tipped in Andrew Bynum's missed layup on the Lakers' first
possession and hit two free throws the next time down. Gasol got
the ball in the high post on the third possession and fed it to
Bynum down low, illustrating the versatility of the triangle
offense.

"I liked most of the combinations we had out there," Lakers
coach Phil Jackson said. "(Gasol) had a lot of things bounce his
way off that offensive board, and he had some easy shots. I
didn't want to play for that many minutes, but we had got into
some foul trouble, and it became necessary."

Six Lakers scored in double figures, including 12 for Derek
Fisher.

NOTES: Bulls F Taj Gibson worked out with his former teammates
at USC on Wednesday, Del Negro said. The rookie starter had four
points and seven rebounds against the Lakers. ... Lamar Odom and
Chicago's Kirk Hinrich exchanged insults after a hard foul by
Hinrich in the third quarter. Odom needed six stitches in his
right eyebrow after the game. ... California first lady Maria
Shriver attended the game.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/135593-Gasol-scores-24-in-debut-Lakers-top-Bulls-108-93</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/135593-Gasol-scores-24-in-debut-Lakers-top-Bulls-108-93</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:21:45 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Bulls-Lakers Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By BRETT HUSTON
STATS Writer

Chicago (6-4) at Los Angeles (8-3), 10:30 p.m. EDT

Kobe Bryant took it upon himself to help lift the Los Angeles
Lakers out of their offensive funk in their latest game, scoring
40 for the 100th time in his storied career.

The return of Pau Gasol should make Los Angeles even more
formidable.

Gasol is expected to make his season debut Thursday night as the
Lakers continue their five-game homestand against the Chicago
Bulls, who opened their lengthy circus road trip with an
impressive win.

Los Angeles (8-3) hasn't been at full strength as it sets out to
defend its NBA title, and at times it's been clear that the
absence of Gasol - who averaged 18.9 points and 9.6 rebounds per
game last season - has made a difference.

The Lakers have been held to 83.3 points per game in their three
losses and especially struggled in the second half of their
recent two-game rut, averaging 30.0 points in the final 24
minutes.

Bryant made sure Los Angeles could cruise for the final 12
minutes Tuesday. He scored 35 of his 40 in the first three
quarters to help the Lakers open a 25-point lead en route to a
106-93 win over Detroit.

Bryant's 100th 40-point game leaves him behind only Wilt
Chamberlain (271) and Michael Jordan (173).

"It's a true honor," said Bryant, who's been held under 20 in
four of his last six games against Chicago. "A lot of work went
into it, and when I look back on that, I (can't believe) I had
100 of those games."

Bryant's 17-of-29 shooting performance helped Los Angeles avoid
its first three-game slide since right before Gasol's arrival in
February 2008.

"Some of that is just talent, and some of it is resiliency,"
coach Phil Jackson said of the Lakers' consistency. "They were
embarrassed with the losses, and they want to feel good about
themselves, so they worked hard to change that."

While all signs point to Gasol's season debut coming in this
nationally televised contest against the Bulls (6-4), the big
man hasn't been hurting for TV exposure. Gasol, out with a
strained hamstring, appeared earlier this week in an episode of
"CSI: Miami" that was filmed during the preseason.

Chicago is in Hollywood as part of an annual road trip prompted
by the circus coming to the United Center, and historically
those excursions have not gone well. The Bulls were 9-56 on the
trip since Jordan's retirement heading into Tuesday's game
against Sacramento, though they were 3-4 last season.

They got this trip off to a solid start against the Kings, who
had won four straight. John Salmons had 23 points and Chicago's
14-point halftime lead held up in a 101-87 victory.

"We didn't shoot the ball nearly as well in the second half, but
at least we had enough of a cushion to sustain that a little
bit," coach Vinny Del Negro told the Bulls' official Web site.
"It's a good start to a long trip."

Chicago topped 100 points for the first time, and Salmons' 23
were especially encouraging. The former King, who averaged 18.3
points on 47.3 percent shooting after being traded to the Bulls
in February, was averaging 12.6 points on 31.7 percent shooting
heading into Tuesday.

Perhaps a matchup with the Lakers will allow Salmons to sustain
his production. He averaged 25.3 points on 56.1 shooting in
three games against Los Angeles last season, scoring 30 in his
lone appearance with the Bulls - a 117-109 home loss March 21.

Chicago began its circus trip last season with a 116-109 loss to
the Lakers on Nov. 18 as Gasol scored 34.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/135077-Bulls-Lakers-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/135077-Bulls-Lakers-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:22:27 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Kobe gets 40 in Lakers' 106-93 win over Pistons]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By GREG BEACHAM
AP Sports Writer

LOS ANGELES(AP) -- When Lamar Odom pondered why the Los Angeles
Lakers have been able to avoid losing three straight games for
nearly two years, he instinctively glanced across the room to
Kobe Bryant's locker.

"That's a big reason," Odom said with a grateful nod.

Bryant scored 40 points for the 100th time in his career, and
the Lakers stopped a mini-skid with a 106-93 victory over the
Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night.

Andrew Bynum had 17 points and 12 rebounds for the Lakers, who
took a 28-point lead before surviving Detroit's impressive
fourth-quarter rally. Although Bryant had just five points in
the final period, he did enough damage early to push the Lakers
to another win while moving himself further into rarefied
company with the greatest scorers in NBA history.

Bryant didn't appear to be slowed by his strained groin while
scoring 27 points in the middle two quarters before reaching 40
on a 3-pointer with 19 seconds left. With four 40-point games
already this season after getting just four all last year, Kobe
trails only Wilt Chamberlain (271) and Michael Jordan (173) in
40-point games in NBA history.

"It's a true honor," Bryant said. "A lot of work went into it,
and when I look back on that, I (can't believe) I had 100 of
those games. It's just a good feeling."

Bryant led the Lakers in scoring for the 10th time in 11 games
while frequently taking Ben Gordon and other Detroit defenders
into the low post. Bryant also played with a noticeable edge,
jawing with several Pistons before and after scoring on them.

Bryant scored 13 points in the second quarter, making six of his
seven shots while the Lakers went ahead 57-42 at halftime. He
was 6 for 8 in the third, scoring 14 more points while Los
Angeles gradually increased its lead to 24 - and he wasn't
thrilled by the extra work necessary after Detroit made things
interesting late.

"We just have to talk to that second unit about maintaining that
defensive intensity," Bryant said. "The focus and energy should
be on the defensive end."

Coach Phil Jackson felt Los Angeles played only two strong
quarters following its back-to-back losses to Denver and
Houston, but he couldn't complain much. The Lakers still haven't
lost three straight games since before Pau Gasol joined the club
on Feb. 1, 2008, although Gasol again was out of the lineup with
a hamstring injury.

"Some of that is just talent, and some of it is resiliency,"
Jackson said. "They were embarrassed with the losses, and they
want to feel good about themselves, so they worked hard to
change that."

Will Bynum scored 10 of his 24 points in the final period for
the Pistons, who opened a four-game West Coast trip with their
second straight loss. Largely using reserves, Detroit chopped
the Lakers' lead to 98-91 with 1:55 to play before former
Michigan State guard Shannon Brown made three free throws and a
soaring dunk to seal it.

"They were the aggressor, and we were reacting to everything
they were doing," said Ben Wallace, who had five rebounds. "We
were a step behind them for the entire game. The second group
came in and played the way that we should have been playing all
along. They made the game close, so we have to take a cue from
our second unit and play hard from the start."

Detroit is even more seriously injury-depleted than the Lakers,
with Richard Hamilton (sprained right ankle) and Tayshaun Prince
(back injury) still out of the lineup.

Gordon scored 18 points and Jason Maxiell had 13 for the
Pistons, who committed 17 turnovers while Los Angeles compiled
12 more rebounds and 10 more assists than Detroit.

"I'm not sure how many times we turned the ball over, but we
just didn't match their energy," Gordon said. "They played
harder than us, they were more aggressive to the loose balls,
and they did a lot of the small things that got them over the
top. I think we just need to do a better job of competing
throughout the game instead of in spurts."

NOTES: Gasol might try to play for the first time this season
Thursday night against Chicago. ... Former Lakers big man Kwame
Brown was roundly booed when he entered the game for Detroit.
The former No. 1 overall pick had nine points in 27 minutes. ...
The Lakers honored Los Angeles Sparks star Lisa Leslie at
halftime. Leslie retired earlier this year. ... Oliver Platt,
MSNBC's Chris Matthews and baseball great Dave Winfield were
among the courtside celebrities.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/134965-Kobe-gets-40-in-Lakers-106-93-win-over-Pistons</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/134965-Kobe-gets-40-in-Lakers-106-93-win-over-Pistons</guid>
				<pubDate>Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:20:22 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Lakers' Walton diagnosed with pinched nerve]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[EL SEGUNDO, Calif.(AP) -- Lakers forward Luke Walton has been
diagnosed with a pinched nerve.

Walton was examined Monday by back specialist Dr. Robert Watkins
in Los Angeles. The Lakers say Walton is expected to be out at
least six weeks.

Kobe Bryant practiced Monday, a day after he made an early exit
in the Lakers' 101-91 loss to the Houston Rockets. He revealed
after the game he aggravated a groin injury in the first quarter
that he sustained a week ago against New Orleans.

Pau Gasol, who has missed the first 10 games because of a
strained right hamstring, practiced Monday and coach Phil
Jackson said he's hopeful Gasol could return this week.

The Lakers host the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/134632-Lakers-Walton-diagnosed-with-pinched-nerve</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/134632-Lakers-Walton-diagnosed-with-pinched-nerve</guid>
				<pubDate>Tue, 17 Nov 2009 05:03:06 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
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				<title><![CDATA[Pistons-Lakers Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By BRETT HUSTON
STATS Writer

Detroit (5-5) at Los Angeles (7-3), 10:30 p.m. EDT

The lowest-scoring half in franchise history figured to provide
enough motivation for the Los Angeles Lakers in their latest
game. Instead, they suffered through yet another poor second
half.

The Lakers look to bounce back Tuesday night and avoid their
first three-game losing streak in nearly two years when they
host the Detroit Pistons.

Los Angeles (7-3) didn't suffer a third loss until Dec. 9, in
its 20th game, in 2008-09 on its way to the franchise's 15th NBA
championship. The team reached that mark much more quickly this
season.

Each of the defeats featured two common themes - poor shooting
and underwhelming second-half scoring. The Lakers shot 39.5
percent and had 35 points after halftime in falling 94-80 at
home to Dallas on Oct. 30. They then won six in a row before
shooting a season-low 35.2 percent and setting a franchise
record with 23 second-half points in a 105-79 loss at Denver on
Friday.

Los Angeles shot 33.3 percent and was limited to 37 points after
halftime Sunday in a 101-91 defeat to Houston, which held a
60-38 rebounding edge.

"You only end up getting six offensive rebounds on the night
when you shoot 38 percent," coach Phil Jackson said. "That's not
supposed to be like that. You're supposed to have numbers of
second opportunity chances. So we're going to have to work on
where we're getting our shots from."

Kobe Bryant was 5 of 20 from the field and scored 18 points, two
nights after finishing with 19 against Denver. Bryant, who
aggravated a groin injury against the Rockets but is set to play
Tuesday, hasn't been held under 20 in three straight games since
April 2-7, 2005.

"I've felt better," Bryant said, adding he was "mortified" at
the past two losses. "It'll be all right. I've been nursing it,
kind of playing through it. ... You know I don't make excuses."

The Lakers have not lost three in a row since Jan. 23-27, 2008,
shortly before Pau Gasol - out with a strained right hamstring -
was acquired from Memphis.

"Defensively, we need to step it up," said center Andrew Bynum,
averaging 20.8 points and 11.8 rebounds. "That's what we're
lacking right now. We got guards trying to box out bigs. Bigs
trying to box out guards. We're all over the place right now."

While Bryant tries to end his shooting slump - he hit 32.4
percent over his last two games after making 56.9 percent in his
previous four - Detroit's Ben Gordon is coming off a far worse
performance.

The Pistons led Dallas by six at halftime Sunday but lost 95-90
as Gordon missed 15 of 16 shots, the last a potential tying
3-pointer with two seconds left.

"I was getting great looks at the basket, but I could never get
myself into any kind of rhythm," Gordon said. "I was getting
open, and I can't start turning down shots, but nothing felt
good and nothing looked good."

Gordon has been the primary option with Richard Hamilton (ankle)
and Tayshaun Prince (back) out, and Rodney Stuckey left late in
the fourth quarter Sunday with an ankle injury after scoring a
season-high 28 points.

Stuckey said he is "good to go" Tuesday, and will try to improve
upon his 5.0-point average against Los Angeles last season.

The teams split their two meetings in '08-'09, with Detroit
handing the Lakers their first loss, 106-95 at Staples Center on
Nov. 14.

Bryant averaged 25.4 points in his last five home games against
the Pistons, who won three of those matchups.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/134472-Pistons-Lakers-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/134472-Pistons-Lakers-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:42:00 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Lakers booed at home in 101-91 loss to Rockets]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By BETH HARRIS
AP Sports Writer

LOS ANGELES(AP) -- Trevor Ariza got his NBA championship ring and
his Houston Rockets got the win.

Aaron Brooks saw the ring dripping with diamonds and suddenly he
was off on a career night. He took the Houston Rockets with him,
scoring a career-high 33 points, including five 3-pointers, in a
101-91 victory over Los Angeles on Sunday night, sending the
Lakers to a second consecutive loss.

"That's my first time seeing an NBA ring," Brooks said. "It
moved us and we played inspired basketball."

And the NBA champs? Well, they looked downright ordinary again.

The Lakers were coming off a 105-79 drubbing at Denver two
nights earlier only to have another team they vanquished in last
season's title run show them up at home, where they got booed.

"Defensively, we need to step it up," Andrew Bynum said. "That's
what we're lacking right now. We got guards trying to box out
bigs. Bigs trying to box out guards. We're all over the place
right now."

The Lakers have three losses already, something that didn't
happen last season until Dec. 9.

"Mortified," Kobe Bryant deadpanned. "We'll get better, we know
what's at stake. We'll figure our way through this."

Aussie David Andersen added a career-high 19 for the Rockets,
who lost 103-102 at home in overtime in the teams' first meeting
earlier this month.

Bryant scored 41 points in that game, but he had just 18 Sunday
after aggravating a groin injury in the first quarter that he
sustained a week ago against New Orleans.

"I've felt better," he said. "It'll be all right. I've been
nursing it, kind of playing through it."

Even though the injury affects Bryant's ability to run and
change direction on a dime, he said, "You know I don't make
excuses."

Ron Artest, who went to Los Angeles around the time Trevor Ariza
went to Houston in July, added 22 points. Bynum had 21 points
and 11 rebounds.

The Lakers got a combined 12 points out of starters Lamar Odom
and Derek Fisher.

Ariza received his ring from Bryant and Fisher on court before
the game, which may have accounted for his first-half
performance. He was 1 for 10 from the floor and 1 of 6 from
3-point range. He finished with nine points, well off his
team-leading 19.4 average.

"I knew tonight was going to be a tough night for me," Ariza
said. "I didn't play as well, but my teammates played great.
Aaron played big for us, and I'm just happy we got a win."

Andersen scored Houston's first six points of the fourth,
pushing 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 playing at that level."

Houston finished 16 of 19 from the line and shot 42 from the
floor. The Lakers hit 38 percent from the field, with Bryant
going 5 of 20. The Rockets dominated the boards, 60-38.

"They pursued the ball really well," Jackson said. "I was upset
at halftime. I thought they forced shots. In the second half,
they had wide-open shots, much better selection. But they just
didn't make shots."

Brooks sat out much of the fourth, but he wasn't needed. Carl
Landry ran off six in a row before Brooks returned to make one
of two free throws for a 97-84 lead that sent fans heading for
the exits.

Brooks' personal 10-0 run gave the Rockets a 76-68 lead late in
the third and seemingly took the life out of the Lakers. He
completed a four-point play after getting fouled by Fisher and
hit two more 3s.

"Once you give a team easy opportunities, your confidence gets
higher, the basket gets bigger, the 3-point shots fall a little
bit more easily," Bryant said. "We got to do a better job
stopping them from getting easy points."

Andersen scored 13 points in the second, when the Rockets tied
the game twice and took a two-point lead before trailing 54-52
at the break.

Bryant and Artest carried the Lakers to an 18-6 lead before
Brooks' and Budinger's shooting rallied the Rockets within six
points after the first quarter.

"They got out in transition, got some easy buckets and we turned
the ball over," Brooks said. "It reminded me of Game 7, when
they got off to a big lead and just sustained it and grew on it
the whole time. So tonight we made big steps."

NOTES: Lakers coach Phil Jackson said C Pau Gasol, who has
missed 10 games with a strained right hamstring, has gone five
days without reporting soreness. Gasol did some light shooting
Sunday before his usual rehab work. ... The Lakers showed
Ariza's career highlights with them on the video board, which
read, "Thank you Trevor." Ariza carried his young son on court
to receive his ring, with Bryant grabbing his head and pulling
it close to whisper. "He's like my brother, always will be,"
Bryant said later.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/134387-Lakers-booed-at-home-in-101-91-loss-to-Rockets</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/134387-Lakers-booed-at-home-in-101-91-loss-to-Rockets</guid>
				<pubDate>Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:03:13 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Rockets-Lakers Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By BRETT HUSTON
STATS Writer

Houston (5-4) at Los Angeles (7-2), 9:30 p.m. EDT

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.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/133881-Rockets-Lakers-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/133881-Rockets-Lakers-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Sat, 14 Nov 2009 21:16:22 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA['Melo gets better of Artest as Nuggets whip Lakers]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By ARNIE STAPLETON
AP Sports Writer

DENVER(AP) -- The Denver Nuggets don't care that the Los Angeles
Lakers were tired or playing without Pau Gasol. This was one
whooping worth celebrating.

Carmelo Anthony scored 25 points - two more than the Lakers
scored in the entire second half - Kobe Bryant was held
scoreless after halftime and the defending champs scored all of
eight points in the third quarter of their 105-79 blowout loss
to the Nuggets on Friday night.

"They beat the hell out of us," Bryant said. "I don't know if we
had Pau it would have made any difference. They played extremely
well."

The Lakers figured the Nuggets were up for this game after
losing to L.A. in the Western Conference finals, and 'Melo
acknowledged that was certainly on everybody's minds in Denver.

"It's a big, big win for us," Anthony said. "I know it's early
... but it's hard not to get excited for a game like this.
Hopefully, it sends a big message, not only to the Lakers, but
to the whole NBA. We're a legit team."

Lakers coach Phil Jackson had talked before tip-off about
finally having the muscle to match up with 'Melo in Ron Artest,
suggesting he might be able to defend him straight up, 1-on-1.

Nothing doing.

Anthony, limited by foul trouble in the first half, scored 18
points in the second, finishing with 25 in 29 minutes before
taking a courtside seat and enjoying the rest of the rout, which
included 5-foot-11 Ty Lawson's dunk on 7-footer D.J. Mbenga and
6-9 forward Josh Powell, the highlight of the evening.

"I don't really think it's possible to have a 'Melo stopper,"
Anthony said. "No team in the NBA will just let me play 1-on-1
against them. They just won't do it."

The Lakers' six-game winning streak was snapped, and it all came
down to the third quarter, when the Nuggets turned a two-point
halftime lead into an 87-64 cushion with a 29-8 run that had
ecstatic fans chanting "Beat L.A.!" - something Denver couldn't
do enough of in the Western Conference finals five months ago.

"To hold a team like that to eight points in the third quarter?
We did something incredible that third quarter," Anthony said.

The eight points tied a Nuggets record for fewest points allowed
in a single quarter, and it was just two shy of tying the
Lakers' mark for futility in a single quarter. They scored just
six points in a quarter against Chicago in 1977.

"No one stepped up in the second half and played ball," 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."

Bryant was held scoreless in a half for the first time since the
first half of a game at Sacramento on April 11, 2004.

Limited by foul trouble in the first half, Anthony scored 10
quick points in the third quarter to give the Nuggets (7-3) a
double-digit lead and turn this one into a laugher.

'Melo's run was highlighted by his steal from Lamar Odom and a
breakaway basket. After that, the Lakers (7-2) looked every bit
like the team that was coming off a late game in Los Angeles the
night before.

J.R. Smith came off Denver's bench again and scored 20 points in
his third game back from a seven-game suspension to start the
season.

Andrew Bynum and Bryant each scored 19 points to lead the
Lakers, who sat their starters in the fourth quarter with the
game out of reach. Artest scored 11.

While so much was made in the offseason of how the Lakers
augmented their championship resume with the signing of Artest,
the Nuggets quietly improved their versatility and offense with
the additions of Aaron Afflalo and Lawson and the subtractions
of Dahntay Jones and Linas Kleiza.

Many preseason prognosticators painted the Nuggets' run to the
Western Conference finals as an aberration, but Jackson wasn't
among them. He said the Lakers view the Nuggets as bona fide
challengers in the West.

"There's no doubt that we consider the team among the three or
four (top) teams in the Western Conference," Jackson said before
tip-off.

He was even more impressed with them after the game.

"They were great today," Jackson said.

NOTES: Bynum had 15 rebounds. ... The Nuggets were without
backup PG Anthony Carter, whose chronic strained left hip
prevented him from suiting up. He's day to day.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/133760-Melo-gets-better-of-Artest-as-Nuggets-whip-Lakers</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/133760-Melo-gets-better-of-Artest-as-Nuggets-whip-Lakers</guid>
				<pubDate>Sat, 14 Nov 2009 07:39:16 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Lakers-Nuggets Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By MATT BEARDMORE
STATS Writer

Los Angeles (7-1) at Denver (6-3), 10:30 p.m. EDT

Although Friday's game is just one of 82 on the schedule, the
Denver Nuggets are understandably putting a little more emphasis
on this matchup.

Facing the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers for the first
time since last season's Western Conference finals, Denver looks
to get back on track following a lengthy trip.

But the way the Pacific Division-leading Lakers are playing,
that could be quite a challenge.

After rolling through New Orleans and Dallas in the opening two
rounds of the 2008-09 playoffs and advancing to their first West
finals since 1985, the Nuggets fell to Los Angeles in six games.
In the series finale at the Pepsi Center on May 29, the Lakers
routed Denver 119-92 and advanced to their second straight NBA
finals behind Kobe Bryant's 35 points and 10 assists and 20
points apiece from Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom.

"We've been waiting kind of all summer to re-introduce ourselves
to the Lakers," coach George Karl told the Nuggets' official Web
site. "I think it's kind of good to have the first one on your
court."

Denver and Los Angeles play four times during the regular
season, but this heated rivalry got a jump-start in the
preseason. In both teams' exhibition finale Oct. 23 in San
Diego, the Nuggets' 119-105 victory was overshadowed by eight
technical fouls, two flagrants and an altercation under the
basket between Odom and Denver center Chris Andersen.

"They're going to be ready to go up against us, especially after
the little melee we had in San Diego," said Bryant, who averaged
36.7 points, 6.7 assists and 6.3 rebounds as the Lakers won two
of three in Denver in the West finals. "It will be interesting."

The Nuggets (6-3) will try to improve to 3-0 at home for the
first time since 1989-90 as they play their first game at the
Pepsi Center since Nov. 1. Denver's six-game eastern trip ended
with a 108-102 loss to Milwaukee on Wednesday.

The Nuggets have dropped three of four since a 5-0 start.

"Before the season started, you probably would've taken 6-3,"
Karl said. "After being 5-0, you're probably hoping for a little
bit more."

Denver, though, couldn't ask for much more from Carmelo Anthony,
who is averaging a career-best 30.2 points. He scored 14.5
points per game as the Nuggets lost three of four to the Lakers
in the 2008-09 regular season, but he improved his production to
27.5 in the conference finals.

While the Lakers will likely give Ron Artest the task of
guarding Anthony, Denver will need to find someone to slow down
Bryant after defensive specialist Dahntay Jones signed with
Indiana in the offseason.

Bryant had 29 points and center Andrew Bynum added 26 with 15
rebounds as Los Angeles (7-1) shot a season-best 57.6 percent
from the field and won its sixth straight Thursday - 121-102
over a Phoenix team leading the NBA in scoring at 111.3 points
per game.

"We did a great job trying to corral a team that's been scoring
out of this world," Bryant said.

Gasol will not make his season debut Friday due to a strained
right hamstring, but Bynum could create problems for Denver's
Nene and Kenyon Martin after a strong showing Thursday following
a two-game absence with a strained right elbow.

"I got my legs back, and I'm fresh," Bynum said. "As far as the
elbow goes, I'm going to continue getting treatment. It hurts a
little bit, but it's going to be that way for a little while."

The Lakers and Nuggets next play Feb. 5 in Los Angeles.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/133397-Lakers-Nuggets-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/133397-Lakers-Nuggets-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:48:27 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Kobe scores 29, Lakers stop Suns' quick start]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By GREG BEACHAM
AP Sports Writer

LOS ANGELES(AP) -- One moment after Steve Nash threw a pass into
the stands in the third quarter, Lamar Odom found Kobe Bryant
with an alley-oop pass for a behind-the-head dunk.

While the travel-weary Phoenix Suns played like a skipping
record, Bryant's well-rested Lakers were perfectly in tune for
their biggest win of the young season.

Bryant scored 29 points, Andrew Bynum had 26 points and 15
rebounds in his return from injury, and Los Angeles put the
brakes on the Suns' fast start with a 121-102 victory Thursday
night.

Josh Powell scored 14 points for the defending champions, who
won their sixth straight and improved to 7-1 by handing the Suns
their second loss. Los Angeles snapped the Suns' four-game
winning streak, countering Phoenix's up-tempo style with strong
defense and steady scoring from the low post to the transition
game.

It all added up to an impressive performance for the Lakers in
the first of two straight major tests, including Friday night's
visit to Denver for a rematch of the Western Conference finals.

"We really did a good job focusing ourselves," Bryant said.
"They do what they do, and we try to stop it. We showed a lot of
control, a lot of maturity. It was a very disciplined game for
us."

After three days off to rest, Bynum looked sharp in his return
to the Lakers' starting lineup after a two-game absence with a
strained right elbow. Los Angeles still is without Pau Gasol,
who won't make the trip to Denver while rehabilitating his
strained hamstring, but the remaining Lakers have been mostly
dominant through eight games.

"I got my legs back, and I'm fresh," Bynum said. "As far as the
elbow goes, I'm going to continue getting treatment. It hurts a
little bit, but it's going to be that way for a little while."

Nash had 13 points and five assists for the Suns, who had their
worst shooting night of the season. The two-time MVP sat out the
final 15 1/2 minutes after getting little help from his
teammates, who were clearly gassed after playing at home on
Wednesday night.

Phoenix's only two losses this season came against last summer's
NBA finalists - but Los Angeles was the Suns' seventh stop in
the past 10 days, and it showed.

"We knew (this game) was a great test for us," Nash said.
"Unfortunately, we just didn't have the legs tonight to give
them a good shot, so we can look back and throw this one away.
We didn't give them any resistance tonight. Back-to-backs
happen, but the seven games in 10 days in seven cities just
caught up with us."

Amare Stoudemire endured a 2-for-15 shooting night, while Grant
Hill managed just nine points. Jason Richardson missed all five
of his 3-point attempts while scoring only five points for the
NBA's highest-scoring team, although the reserves had 21 in the
final 5:45 to help Phoenix reach 100 for the 10th time this
season.

Jared Dudley led the Suns with 14 points, but they failed to
match the 1980-81 club's franchise-best 9-1 start. The Suns made
just 36.5 percent of their shots (38 for 104) after never going
lower than 45.5 percent this season.

"They have a really good team, and now with Bynum back, it's
just tough matchups all around," Phoenix coach Alvin Gentry
said. "They just took us out of everything we tried to do. We
miss a dunk, and they come back with a three-point play. We miss
an open shot, and then they come down with a 3-point shot.
They're a great basketball team. I don't know if they have a
weakness, after looking around."

In the first half, Los Angeles frequently played at something
approaching the Suns' favored breakneck tempo. The Lakers were
better at it than Phoenix - but they also were better at slowing
it down and getting the ball inside to Bynum and Bryant, who has
excelled as a low-post scorer this season.

After Bryant's 12 first-quarter points put the Lakers ahead
early, Los Angeles scored the final eight points of the first
half to take a 59-45 lead. Phoenix had just five assists on its
17 first-half field goals - nine fewer baskets than the Lakers.

After Odom's alley-oop to Bryant put the Lakers up 80-55 in the
third, Shannon Brown punctuated the win with consecutive
high-flying dunks in the lane midway through the fourth quarter,
putting Los Angeles up by 26.

NOTES: Lakers coach Phil Jackson earned his 1,048th victory,
tying Charlotte's Larry Brown for fifth-most in NBA history. ...
Gentry and Jackson both expressed surprise at New Orleans coach
Byron Scott's firing earlier in the day. Los Angeles and the
Suns both routed the Hornets in the past week, but both coaches
thought Scott had earned more time to figure out his club's
rotation. ... Richardson and Los Angeles' Sasha Vujacic got
offsetting technical fouls 4.3 seconds before halftime for a
confrontation after Richardson's hard foul on Bryant. ... The
Rev. Jesse Jackson, Zac Efron, Heather Locklear, George Lopez
and Eliza Dushku were among the courtside celebrities.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/133371-Kobe-scores-29-Lakers-stop-Suns-quick-start</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/133371-Kobe-scores-29-Lakers-stop-Suns-quick-start</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:36:40 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Suns-Lakers Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By MATT BEARDMORE
STATS Writer

Phoenix (8-1) at Los Angeles (6-1), 10:30 p.m. EDT

Off to their best start in 29 seasons, the Phoenix Suns are
thriving in their up-tempo style.

The Los Angeles Lakers aren't surprised at all.

The Pacific Division-leading Suns look to win their fifth
straight game Thursday night, when they'll face the defending
champion Lakers for the first time this season.

Back home following a 4-1 eastern trip, Phoenix (8-1) routed New
Orleans 124-104 on Wednesday. Amare Stoudemire had 21 points,
Grant Hill added 18 and six other Suns scored in double figures
as Phoenix set a season high in points while matching Boston
with the league's best record.

After missing the playoffs last season for the first time since
2004, the Suns are off to their best start since opening 11-1 in
1980-81. Phoenix has scored 100 or more in each of its first
nine games for the first time since 1990-91.

"It was a great win for us," coach Alvin Gentry said. "I thought
we played as well as we could in the first half. Offensively, we
did a good job of staying in attack mode."

Since Gentry took over for the final 31 games last season for
the fired Terry Porter, who tried to implement a slowed-down
approach with the Suns, Phoenix has scored 98 or more in 39 of
40 contests.

The Suns lead the NBA in points per game this season with 112.3.

"They just upgraded their speed and went back to the style they
were running three, four or five years ago," said Lakers coach
Phil Jackson, whose team has won five in a row.

Steve Nash played only 23 minutes Wednesday, but he posted his
fourth consecutive double-double with 12 points and 10 assists.
He leads the league in assists with 12.6 per game.

He averaged 7.5 points and 9.5 assists in two games versus the
Lakers (6-1) last season before missing the final two matchups
with a sprained right ankle.

Los Angeles center Andrew Bynum was sidelined those two contests
with a torn right medial collateral ligament. He is expected
back in the lineup Thursday at Staples Center after missing two
games with a strained right elbow suffered in a 103-102 overtime
victory at Houston on Nov. 4.

"There was a little bit of pain today (Tuesday), but it's
something I can play through," said Bynum, averaging 20.0 points
and 10.6 rebounds.

With Bynum sidelined, DJ Mbenga has done a solid job making his
third and fourth career starts. He had five points and a
career-high 13 rebounds in Friday's 114-98 win over Memphis,
then posted his first career double-double Sunday with 10 points
and 12 boards in a 104-88 victory over New Orleans.

Shannon Brown hit three 3-pointers and added a season-high 15
points against the Hornets.

"We believed this was going to be a really, really tough game,"
Kobe Bryant said after scoring 26 of his 28 points in the first
half. "Because of that, everybody's antennas were up, and
everybody was really focused. We got a lot of help from DJ,
Shannon, all the bench guys. There are going to be nights when
we struggle, and we'll need their help."

Bryant averaged 28.3 points and 6.8 rebounds as the Lakers won
three of four versus the Suns in 2008-09. In the teams' last
matchup March 1, Bryant had 49 points and 11 boards in a 118-111
loss in Phoenix.

The Lakers will likely be without forward Pau Gasol, who has yet
to play this season because of a strained right hamstring
suffered in the preseason.

"I don't have any hopes for him on Thursday for sure," Jackson
said Tuesday.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/133157-Suns-Lakers-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/133157-Suns-Lakers-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:26:17 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Kobe gets 28 in Lakers' 5th straight win]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By GREG BEACHAM
AP Sports Writer

LOS ANGELES(AP) -- Kobe Bryant and coach Phil Jackson both thought
the injury-depleted Lakers would get a stern early season test
from the New Orleans Hornets. Instead, their visitors barely put
up a fight.

Yes, DJ Mbenga and Shannon Brown were just that good.

Bryant scored 28 points, Brown added 15 and Los Angeles thrived
again without its top two big men, beating the New Orleans
Hornets 104-88 Sunday night.

Mbenga had 10 points and 12 rebounds in his fourth career NBA
start for the defending champions, who easily won their fifth
straight game and second in a row without injured center Andrew
Bynum and forward Pau Gasol.

Before he took it easy after halftime, Bryant replaced those 14
feet of big men by repeatedly getting the ball in the post. He
also got strong efforts from players who sometimes don't play at
all for the full-strength Lakers.

"We believed this was going to be a really, really tough game,"
Bryant said. "Because of that, everybody's antennas were up, and
everybody was really focused. We got a lot of help from DJ,
Shannon, all the bench guys. There are going to be nights when
we struggle, and we'll need their help."

Bryant and Jackson haven't forgotten the Hornets were Los
Angeles' near-equals just two years ago, when the teams battled
down the stretch for the Western Conference's best record. But
these Hornets couldn't keep up as Los Angeles opened a 27-point
lead in the third quarter and coasted to a 6-1 start, with
Bryant sitting down for good with nearly seven minutes still to
play.

"We had a little easier time than I had anticipated," Jackson
said. "We were really prepared for a rush that they make in the
second half, and they never got to that."

After scoring exactly 41 points in three of the Lakers' previous
four games, Bryant scored 26 in the first half, repeatedly
capitalizing down low with ease against Devin Brown's defense.
Bryant went scoreless in the third when New Orleans finally
double-teamed him, but he rotated the ball to open shooters for
five 3-pointers in the period - three by Brown.

"When Kobe gets going in the post, it creates a lot of
opportunities," Brown said. "You've just got to knock them
down."

After leading by 17 points during the first half, Los Angeles
opened the second half on a 17-3 run with two of Brown's
3-pointers. The backup guard added a few rim-shaking dunks while
scoring all his points after halftime. Even Mbenga, the Lakers'
backup center with rudimentary skills, matched his career
scoring high and fell one shy of his NBA rebounding best while
making his second straight start.

Chris Paul had 15 points and nine assists for the Hornets, who
made just 36.5 percent of their shots while opening a three-game
West Coast road trip with their fourth loss in five games.

"They're a really good team, and we're a team that's a work in
progress," Paul said. "They beat us in all aspects of the game.
Kobe got going and Mbenga got going, and they looked like the
Lakers. ... We're just trying to find something that works.
We're missing defense and the ability to score."

New Orleans coach Byron Scott began the trip by bumping shooting
guard Morris Peterson from the starting lineup in favor of Devin
Brown, who had played just eight minutes all season. Peterson
started the Hornets' first six games, but made just 34.1 percent
of his shots while playing defense that didn't please Scott.

Immediately after the opening tip, Devin Brown turned the ball
over to Bryant for a drive and a dunk.

Scott previewed another change after the game, announcing his
intention to replace Julian Wright with Peja Stojakovic in
Monday's starting lineup against the Clippers.

"I thought (Brown) defended Kobe about as well as you can, but
Kobe is just an unbelievable basketball player," Scott said.
"The third quarter is killing us. This is two straight games
that we came out and the other team just kind of dominated us in
that quarter. We've got to solve that problem quick."

Bynum's strained right elbow has sidelined him for the past two
games, while Gasol's strained right hamstring has kept him out
since the preseason. Both will have three more days to heal
before Thursday's visit from surprising Phoenix, the early
Pacific Division co-leaders with Los Angeles.

NOTES: New Orleans didn't even dress Peterson, moving him to the
inactive list. ... The Lakers are just two games into a stretch
with 14 of 16 games at Staples Center. ... Anthony Kiedis and
Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers sat together on the baseline.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/132460-Kobe-gets-28-in-Lakers-5th-straight-win</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/132460-Kobe-gets-28-in-Lakers-5th-straight-win</guid>
				<pubDate>Mon, 09 Nov 2009 06:29:44 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Hornets-Lakers Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By MATT BECKER
STATS Senior Writer

New Orleans (2-4) at Los Angeles (5-1), 9:30 p.m. EDT

The defending champion Los Angeles Lakers have gone through the
first week and a half of the season at less than full strength,
relying on Kobe Bryant to carry the team.

The 11-time All-Star may be close to getting some help.

Seeking their fifth straight victory, the Lakers could have Pau
Gasol and Andrew Bynum back from injuries Sunday night against
the sluggish New Orleans Hornets.

Gasol was instrumental to Los Angeles' championship run in
2008-09, averaging 18.9 points and 9.6 rebounds in 81 games, but
has missed the team's first six contests this season because of
a strained right hamstring. He has returned to practice and
warmed up before Friday's 114-98 victory over Memphis but was
inactive.

"I'm already frustrated," Gasol said. "This recovery has been
slow for my taste. So right now I'm thinking about one day at a
time and not getting ahead of myself."

Bynum also sat out Friday with a strained right elbow after
averaging 20.0 points and 10.6 rebounds in five games. The
injury is not considered serious, and he's expected to face New
Orleans.

Last season, the 7-foot Spaniard teamed with the 7-foot Bynum to
control the paint and open up the floor for Bryant.

So far this season, Bryant has been doing just fine.

He scored 41 points for the third time in four games Friday
leading the Lakers (5-1) to a fourth straight victory. Bryant
also became the youngest player to reach 24,000 points, reaching
the milestone 38 days before Wilt Chamberlain, and overtook
Grizzlies guard Allen Iverson for 16th place on the NBA's career
scoring list.

Most of Bryant's baskets came on turnaround jumpers and inside
moves against the undersized Memphis defenders in the low post,
skills he learned from Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon over the
summer.

"What can I say? This is a guy who sees a weakness in a team and
exploits it," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said of Bryant.

Los Angeles took three of four from the Hornets last season. The
teams split two games at Staples Center despite Bryant scoring
39 in each.

New Orleans (2-4) could have trouble slowing down Bryant again.
Coming off back-to-back playoff appearances, the Hornets are off
their worst start since 2005-06.

Most of New Orleans' struggles have stemmed from a defense
struggling to slow down its opponents.

The Hornets, fifth in the NBA in scoring defense in 2008-09 at
94.3 points, are yielding an average of 105.5 this season. It
likely won't be easy for them to come up with key stops against
a Lakers team averaging 109.0 points during their winning
streak.

With the defense having trouble, Chris Paul has been doing his
best to carry the team, but he struggled at times in Friday's
107-90 loss to Toronto.

New Orleans led by two at halftime, but was outscored 34-14 in
the third quarter. Paul had a team-high 21 points - 7.5 below
his season average - and season-high 18 assists, but did not
score in the third, when the Raptors hit more 3-pointers (8)
than the Hornets had field goals (6).

"I saw a lack of energy," New Orleans coach Byron Scott said.
"For the life of me, I can't understand why we came out without
any energy."

The Hornets, winless in three games away from New Orleans, will
have to quickly harness some energy with their next three games
coming on the road.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/132208-Hornets-Lakers-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/132208-Hornets-Lakers-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:35:14 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Kobe reaches 24,000 points, leads Lakers past Griz]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By GREG BEACHAM
AP Sports Writer

LOS ANGELES(AP) -- Kobe Bryant always credits his mentors and
teachers when he rolls past a scoring milestone. Given the
manner in which he hit his latest superlative, he felt it was
only appropriate to give a nod to Hakeem Olajuwon.

Bryant scored 41 points while becoming the youngest player to
reach 24,000, leading the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers to a
114-98 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night.

Scoring basket after basket on turnaround jumpers and inside
moves against the undersized Memphis defenders in the low post,
Bryant carried the Lakers while reaching the milestone 38 days
before Wilt Chamberlain did. With a second-half surge from his
growing repertoire of inside moves, he even overtook Grizzlies
guard Allen Iverson for 16th place on the NBA's career scoring
list.

Bryant visited Olajuwon over the summer to learn more about
low-post play, and the Houston Rockets' famed center provided
Kobe with even more skills to keep knocking down scoring marks.

"You think back on all the years I've been here, all the mentors
I've had," Bryant said. "I've learned everything from other guys
that have been here. There's nothing original in my game."

Even if Bryant doesn't invent, there are nights when he perfects
- and the rest of the Lakers were grateful for his attention to
detail.

Ron Artest had 19 points and seven assists in the fourth
straight win for the defending NBA champions, who played without
injured big men Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol. Lamar Odom managed
just three points before fouling out on his 30th birthday, but
Bryant and Artest probably can carry the Lakers until they're
whole again.

"We don't really know the identity of the team right now,"
Artest said. "We're driving without a license - no identity.
We're like 'The Bourne Ultimatum."'

Before punctuating his night with two beautiful fallaway jumpers
in the final 2 minutes, Bryant became the 17th NBA player to
score 24,000 points on a second-quarter basket. At 31 years, 75
days old, Bryant needed every bit of his head start from
skipping college to beat Chamberlain to the mark.

Bryant scored exactly 41 points for the third time in four
games, giving him 99 career 40-point games. Bryant scored 15
points in the third quarter while the Lakers turned a halftime
deficit into a 12-point lead, and he added 10 in the final
period while the healthy Lakers held on.

"It looked easy because I did a lot of work early to get my
position (in the low post)," Bryant said. "It just comes easier
to me this year because I'm well-rested. I have the energy to
carry things for a longer period of time."

Iverson had eight points in 22 minutes coming off the bench in
his third game with Memphis. Before the game, the 10-time
All-Star said he didn't fully understand the controversy over
several barbed comments he made earlier in the Grizzlies' road
trip when he said he didn't want to come off the bench or be
part of a rebuilding team.

Rudy Gay scored 22 points - two in the fourth quarter - and Zach
Randolph had 21 points and 15 rebounds for the Grizzlies, who
are winless on a four-game trip that ends Saturday night against
the Clippers.

"For the most part, we played pretty good defense on Kobe, but
he hit tough shots," Gay said. "(Bynum and Gasol) are really
good players, but they also have Kobe, and Kobe's a great
player. So it's not like just because those two guys were out
that we thought we were going to win. You've still got to play
the game."

The Lakers opened a stretch with 14 of 16 games at home by
beating Memphis for the fifth straight time overall and the
fifth in a row at Staples Center.

Bynum sat out after straining his right elbow in Wednesday's win
at Houston, while Gasol missed the chance to play against his
brother, Marc, the Grizzlies' starting center, because of a
strained hamstring that's kept him out all season.

"Great teams aren't just one or two players," Memphis coach
Lionel Hollins said. "They're great for a reason. They need
those two players to compete on the highest stage, but during
the regular season, they'll find a way to get around those
injuries."

Odom struggled in Pau Gasol's place, and DJ Mbenga had 13
rebounds while starting for the first time in his three seasons
with the Lakers.

NOTES: Buffalo Bills WR Terrell Owens attended the game, waiting
in the tunnel afterward for Lakers friends to finish dressing.
... Mbenga, the Congolese 7-footer, had started two games in his
career, one in each of his first two seasons with Dallas. ...
The Lakers honored John Radcliffe, their longtime scorer, by
presenting a championship ring to his wife, Carolyn. Radcliffe,
who had held his job since 1961, died during the summer. ...
Bryant is responsible for the three highest-scoring performances
by an opponent in Grizzlies history, including a 60-point game
in March 2007.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/131978-Kobe-reaches-24-000-points-leads-Lakers-past-Griz</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/131978-Kobe-reaches-24-000-points-leads-Lakers-past-Griz</guid>
				<pubDate>Sat, 07 Nov 2009 07:31:30 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Lakers' Gasol, Bynum sit vs. Grizzlies]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[LOS ANGELES(AP) -- Lakers big men Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol are
sitting out Los Angeles' meeting with the Memphis Grizzlies.

Bynum has a strained right elbow after getting injured late in a
victory at Houston on Wednesday, though he doesn't think it's
serious. The Lakers' starting center is averaging 20 points and
10.6 rebounds in a strong start to his season.

Gasol hasn't played for the Lakers since straining his right
hamstring in the preseason, although he holds out hope of
playing Sunday against New Orleans. Lamar Odom has taken Gasol's
starting spot in the defending champions' first six games.

Gasol missed the chance to play against his former team - as
well as his brother, Marc, who started at center for the
Grizzlies.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/131930-Lakers-Gasol-Bynum-sit-vs-Grizzlies</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/131930-Lakers-Gasol-Bynum-sit-vs-Grizzlies</guid>
				<pubDate>Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:28:29 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Grizzlies-Lakers Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By SANTOSH VENKATARAMAN
STATS Senior Writer

Memphis (1-4) at Los Angeles (4-1), 10:30 p.m. EDT

Pau Gasol doesn't expect to make his season debut for the Los
Angeles Lakers on Friday night. That's definitely good news for
his former team as it tries to slow down Kobe Bryant.

It's unlikely Gasol will play against the Memphis Grizzlies, who
have lost three straight as they get ready to visit Bryant and
the Lakers.

Gasol has yet to see action due to a right hamstring injury,
although it seems he is close to coming back. He averaged 16.0
points and 9.0 rebounds in last season's four-game sweep of
Memphis (1-4), where he played his first six-plus seasons.

Coach Phil Jackson expects the 7-footer to practice this weekend
and possibly play even though Gasol believes he is not ready
yet.

"We'll have a limited practice as it is, with back-to-back
games," Jackson said. "There won't be a whole lot of activity,
but he should be out there."

Los Angeles (4-1) has been forced to rely even more on Bryant in
Gasol's absence and the NBA's leading scorer has delivered.
Bryant has sandwiched 41-point games around a 31-point effort,
and has helped deliver back-to-back overtime wins on the road.

Bryant scored the Lakers' final four points, including the
go-ahead jumper, in a 101-98 win at Oklahoma City on Tuesday.
Los Angeles was forced to go past regulation again Wednesday as
Bryant scored six points in overtime of a 103-102 win over
Houston.

"Experience was the key," forward Lamar Odom said. "We toughed
it out at the end. Kobe took over the game and really helped us
spread the court."

The Lakers may have suffered a blow when center Andrew Bynum
sprained his elbow late in Wednesday's game. His status is
uncertain for Friday.

"The elbow (stinks)," Bynum said. "I can hardly lift it up.
We'll take pictures and we will see what they say. They took a
whack at me and that was that."

Pau Gasol's brother, Marc, has played well in his second season
for Memphis, averaging 17.6 points on 60.4 percent shooting and
12.6 rebounds. But he and the rest of the Grizzlies have been
overshadowed by Allen Iverson's complaints about his reserve
role.

Iverson was not happy about seeing 18 minutes off the bench in
his Memphis debut Monday in an overtime loss at Sacramento. He
scored 18 points in 27 minutes Wednesday in a 113-105 loss at
Golden State.

Memphis, 0-3 on a five-game road trip, is allowing a league-high
115.2 points per game.

"Not a lot of players like to play defense (but) winning teams
play defense," Iverson said. "Some nights you're not going to be
able to throw a rock in the ocean but if you still play defense
you give yourself a chance to win."

Iverson is likely not seeing major minutes at shooting guard
because Memphis is building around leading scorer O.J. Mayo, who
is averaging 20.6 points after leading all rookies with an 18.5
average in 2008-09.

The Grizzlies lost their first 13 road games against the Lakers
before winning five of the last nine.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/131543-Grizzlies-Lakers-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/131543-Grizzlies-Lakers-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:58:33 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Bryant's 41 points lead Lakers past Rockets in OT]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By CHRIS DUNCAN
AP Sports Writer

HOUSTON(AP) -- Ron Artest and Trevor Ariza traded elbows, trash
talk and last-minute 3-pointers in regulation. In the end, Kobe
Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers got in the last word.

Bryant scored 41 points, Andrew Bynum added 17 points and 17
rebounds and the Lakers beat the Houston Rockets 103-102
Wednesday night for their second overtime win in two nights.

Carl Landry scored 20 points to lead six players in double
figures for Houston. Luis Scola added 16 points and 13 rebounds
and Chuck Hayes had 14 points and 14 rebounds.

Artest and Ariza both scored 15 points in their first meeting
since they swapped teams in July. Ariza signed with Houston
about the same time Artest left the Rockets to join the Lakers.

Both downplayed how much the game meant to them.

"I was only here one year and really didn't do nothing," Artest
said. "I didn't expect anything but to come out here and see
Kobe get his 50."

But neither could resist the urge to taunt his former team after
hitting a clutch 3-pointer in the final minute of regulation.

Artest's 3 from the top of the key with 30 seconds left gave the
Lakers a 92-89 lead. As the Rockets walked to their bench for a
time out, Artest stood at midcourt and made a mocking timeout
signal of his own to the booing fans.

Ariza was tied up in the lane at the other end, then won a jump
ball against Derek Fisher with 19.6 seconds left. Ariza quickly
got the ball back from Carl Landry and swished a 3-pointer from
the wing with 14.2 seconds left. The Lakers called timeout and
Ariza held up three fingers for the Los Angeles bench to see.

"It was poetic justice that they both had excellent
opportunities to try and help their team win," Lakers coach Phil
Jackson said.

Bryant had the ball in the final seconds of regulation, but
Hayes slapped it out of bounds with 0.7 seconds left. The
Rockets knocked away the long inbound pass as time expired.

Bryant hit a jumper from the free-throw line with 90 seconds
left in overtime. He was fouled by Scola and hit the free throw
for a 100-98 lead.

Aaron Brooks sliced through the lane for a layup with 1:06 to go
to tie it again. Bryant missed a baseline shot, but Bynum
rebounded, got fouled and sank two free throws with 44.2 seconds
left to put the Lakers back in front.

Landry hit a hook shot with 37 seconds remaining, ensuring that
the Rockets would get one more possession. Bynum was fouled by
Hayes and hit one of two free throws with 24.7 seconds left.

Ariza ended up with the ball again in the final seconds of
overtime, but Fisher stripped the ball and time ran out.

The Lakers were outrebounded 54-48, but forced 20 Houston
turnovers. The Rockets also shot only 29 percent from 3-point
range (7 for 24).

Artest guarded Ariza from the opening tip, and the two were
immediately jawing at one another. They earned offsetting
technical fouls with 9:11 left in the first quarter.

At one point, Ariza said Artest tried to put his hand around
Ariza's neck.

"I don't have hard feelings," Ariza said. "It was emotional, I
guess you could say."

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," the famously
temperamental 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?

"But I give up, I just give up," he said. "I'm not fighting
anymore. You could elbow me, smack me, use me as a punching bag.
I'm not reacting anymore, I'm tired."

Bryant sank four of his first six shots, but the rest of the
Lakers missed eight of their first nine and Houston built an
18-10 lead.

Ariza continued to struggle, missing six of his first eight
shots, but Landry went 6 for 6 from the field in the second
quarter and Houston led 48-44 at the break.

Bryant scored 17 points in the first half, but missed five of
his next eight shots after the hot start.

NOTES: Injured Lakers C Pau Gasol could return to practice as
early as Thursday after sitting out the first five games with a
strained right hamstring. "We'll have a limited practice as it
is, with back-to-back games," Jackson said. "There won't be a
whole lot of activity, but he should be out there." ... Rockets
rookie F Chase Budinger sat out with a sprained left ankle.
Budinger scored 17 points in Houston's 113-96 win at Utah on
Monday. ... Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon had a courtside seat
next to team owner Leslie Alexander.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/131421-Bryants-41-points-lead-Lakers-past-Rockets-in-OT</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/131421-Bryants-41-points-lead-Lakers-past-Rockets-in-OT</guid>
				<pubDate>Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:56:45 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Lakers-Rockets Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By MATT BEARDMORE
STATS Writer

Los Angeles (2-1) at Houston (3-1), 8:30 p.m. EDT

Ron Artest left the Houston Rockets to sign with a Los Angeles
Lakers team he felt gave him the best chance to finally win a
ring.

Houston, though, is now playing at a high level without Artest
and two other superstars - and with former Laker Trevor Ariza.

Artest returns to the Toyota Center on Wednesday night, when Los
Angeles faces the Rockets for the first time since the teams'
seven-game series in last season's Western Conference
semifinals.

Acquired in a trade with Sacramento prior to 2008-09, Artest
averaged 17.1 points and 5.2 rebounds as the Rockets went 53-29
and advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the first
time in 12 seasons.

Houston won Game 1 of the West semifinals in Los Angeles, but
fell to the Lakers in seven.

"I thought it was a good learning experience for these guys,"
Artest said following the Rockets' 89-70 Game 7 defeat at
Staples Center on May 17. "They've been through a Game 7. Most
young teams get swept. That will really help the Rockets in the
future."

Artest, though, ultimately decided not to be a part of that
future by signing a five-year, $33 million deal with the
defending champion Lakers.

"This was a long time coming," he said. "As I started to compete
against the Lakers and against Kobe (Bryant), I had respect for
him and I always wanted to be a teammate of his."

Playing their first road game of the season Tuesday, the Lakers
(3-1) defeated Oklahoma City 101-98 in overtime.

Artest scored a season-high 20 points, while Andrew Bynum posted
his third double-double of the season with 22 and 10 boards. The
star of the night, though, was Bryant, who had 31 points while
battling flulike symptoms. The Lakers' star hit the go-ahead
jumper in overtime and a pair of free throws with 18 seconds
remaining.

"When Kobe's out there, he wants it," Artest said. "That's the
great thing. He wants it. It's not like I have to really go get
it."

Bryant averaged 28.3 points on 53.0 percent shooting as Los
Angeles won all four regular-season matchups versus Houston in
2008-09.

Ariza, who scored 11.3 points per game and shot 47.6 percent
from 3-point range during the Lakers' 2008-09 playoff run,
signed with Rockets in the offseason to help minimize the loss
of Artest.

"I think (Houston is) the best place for me," Ariza said over
the summer. "I think I have more of an opportunity here."

He's making the most of that opportunity thus far, averaging a
team-high 21.3 points.

Playing without Artest, Yao Ming - out for the season following
foot surgery - and Tracy McGrady (microsurgery on left knee),
the Rockets have won three straight since a 96-87 season-opening
loss at Portland.

"When you lose your star players, people don't expect very much
from you but we've had the attitude that we're going to play
hard, compete and we're going to see what we can do with this
group," coach Rick Adelman told the Rockets' official Web site.

Adelman has started 6-foot-6 Chuck Hayes at center each game,
but the undersized Rockets have compensated by shooting 44.8
percent from 3-point range.

"We have good shooters on this team, so we're going to be really
aggressive," said Shane Battier, who hit three of the Rockets'
10 3-pointers in Monday's 113-96 victory at Utah.

Ariza, Aaron Brooks and Chase Budinger each hit two from long
range, and Budinger finished with a career-high 17 points.

The rookie also rolled his ankle in Monday's victory, but is
expected to be available Wednesday.

Lakers forward Pau Gasol worked out prior to Tuesday's game, but
has still not played this season due to a strained right
hamstring.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/131172-Lakers-Rockets-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/131172-Lakers-Rockets-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:41:21 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
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				<title><![CDATA[Bryant lifts Lakers past Thunder for 1st road win]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By JEFF LATZKE
AP Sports Writer

OKLAHOMA CITY(AP) -- Ron Artest finally got to experience what
it's like to be on the same team when Kobe Bryant finishes off a
win.

Bryant scored 31 points including the go-ahead jumper in
overtime as the Los Angeles Lakers got tested in their first
road game of the season, beating the Oklahoma City Thunder
101-98 on Tuesday night.

Bryant connected on a turnaround jumper from the left side with
2:29 to play to give the defending NBA champions a 99-97 lead
and then hit two free throws with 18 seconds remaining to push
the lead to three.

"When Kobe's out there, he wants it," said Artest, who signed
with the Lakers in the offseason. "That's the great thing. He
wants it. It's not like I have to really go get it."

Bryant had been fighting through flulike symptoms earlier in the
day but his fever went down before the game started. He finished
9 for 22 and had seven turnovers, but came through when it
counted.

"I've been through a lot worse than this," Bryant said. He felt
fortunate that he was able to play, considering the concerns
over swine flu, and expected to sleep and get fluids on the
Lakers' trip to Houston for their first back-to-back of the
season.

The Thunder had two chances to tie it late, but Thabo Sefolosha
and Russell Westbrook each missed 3-pointers surrounding a pair
of missed free throws by Lamar Odom.

Bryant grabbed the ball after Westbrook's miss and tossed it
toward the opposite end of the court to allow the final seconds
to run off the clock.

"I liked him sometimes and sometimes I didn't like him," Los
Angeles coach Phil Jackson said. "I think he was a little
dehydrated when he ran off at the end and let Sefolosha have a
wide-open 3. He made plays that he makes in ballgames. He got to
the free-throw line and made some free throws. He was able to
control the game at the end."

Kevin Durant led Oklahoma City with 28 points but airballed a
pair of shots that could have given the Thunder the lead in the
closing minute of regulation and overtime.

He dribbled the ball to run down the final few seconds of the
fourth quarter before coming up empty on a deep 3-pointer from
the right wing with 2.7 seconds left, but Sefolosha stole the
Lakers' ensuing inbounds pass to send the game to overtime.

Durant then had an airball on a 17-footer from the right side in
the final 30 seconds of overtime that could've put Oklahoma City
ahead again. Bryant was fouled intentionally and hit two free
throws to provide the final margin.

"We tell him he's going to be in that situation a lot, and every
time you're in that situation, you learn from it," Thunder point
guard Kevin Ollie said of Durant. "I think he's going to get
better and better as we go on through this season, and he's
going to have the opportunity once again. I think he's going to
step up and knock down the shots and we're going to win games.
We're going to ride it out with Kevin."

Andrew Bynum added 22 points and 10 rebounds, Artest scored 20
and Odom had 13 points and eight rebounds while starting again
in place of the injured Pau Gasol.

Jeff Green had 18 points for Oklahoma City while Westbrook and
Sefolosha each scored 12.

"Going into overtime against a team like the Lakers is something
that we say we can pride ourselves on," Sefolosha said. "Even
though we lost, we had a lot of opportunities to win this game."

The Lakers have won their last 10 games against the Thunder
franchise, dating back to its days in Seattle.

Sefolosha hit a 3-pointer and a driving finger roll to eliminate
a five-point deficit for the Thunder in the final 3 minutes of
regulation and tie the game at 88.

Bryant answered at the other end with a turnaround jumper over
Sefolosha, but the Thunder got a chance to tie the game after
Etan Thomas - playing instead of starting center Nenad Krstic -
swatted Odom's floater with 1 minute to play.

Green's 12-foot jumper from the left wing tied it with 49.9
seconds left, and Bryant couldn't connect on a desperation
3-pointer at the shot clock buzzer to give Los Angeles a lead.
Sefolosha tipped the ball away from Bryant, and he had to
scramble to regain possession before shooting.

Durant then aired out the first of his two potential
game-winners.

"We got stops. That's what it boiled down to - getting stops,"
Bryant said.

Los Angeles opened the game on a 9-0 run, punctuated by Bynum's
two-handed jam off an alley-oop lob from Bryant. The lead
reached 28-15 after Bryant finished a spurt of six straight
points with a 3-pointer from the right wing over Durant.

Durant scored 10 straight points in a stretch bridging the first
two quarters, and his two free throws put Oklahoma City ahead
for the first time at 41-40. The teams traded 8-0 runs just
before halftime to set up a closely-contested third quarter in
which they traded the lead 13 times.

Notes: Lakers coach Phil Jackson said Gasol had a "pretty good
workout" before the game but the team still had no additional
information to suggest he has a tear in his right hamstring. The
team has described the injury as a strain. ... Jackson was asked
before the game if he had a fondness for Oklahoma's wide open
spaces since he formerly lived in North Dakota, near the Montana
border. "Not really fond. There's some sunsets and sunrises that
are pretty nice. The wind is aggravating if you live out here,
there's no doubt about it."]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/131161-Bryant-lifts-Lakers-past-Thunder-for-1st-road-win</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/131161-Bryant-lifts-Lakers-past-Thunder-for-1st-road-win</guid>
				<pubDate>Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:08:41 GMT</pubDate>
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