ABSTRACT
Lakers use second-half rally to overtake the New York Knicks. The 65 first-half points the Lakers allowed were an opponent high this year.
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Asked the day before the game if the New York Knicks' blistering offensive style would be bothersome, Lakers coach Phil Jackson said he didn't believe so, explaining that the Lakers could play a fast-break or a slow-down type game.
For at least the first half, it seemed as though Jackson had overstated his facts, as the Lakers trailed by 15 points at the break.
But the Lakers put their own scoring motor in high gear in the second half, overcame that substantial deficit, and squeezed out a dazzling 116-114 victory in front of a sellout crowd of 18,997 at Staples Center.
That included disappointed Knicks fan Spike Lee. The renowned movie director watched the game from the courtside seats of his friend, actor Denzel Washington, who was out of town and couldn't attend the game.
The Lakers improved their Western Conference-best record to 21-3 and handed the Knicks their second consecutive loss in the second game of a back-to-back. New York lost Monday night in Phoenix.
Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with a full stat bag that featured 28 points, seven rebounds, six assists and four steals. Lamar Odom, making his first start of the year, had a solid all-around game, with 17 points, 12 rebounds and four assists. He and Bryant were joined by the other three Laker starters in double figures.
The getaway victory was the ideal prelude for the Lakers, who begin a four-game, five-day trip Friday in Miami. Two of the teams that the Lakers will play -- Orlando and New Orleans -- were playoff teams last season.
"It was a challenging game,"
Jackson said. "I think we anticipated that as a staff but I don't think our players anticipated that kind of a ball game."
The taxing pace forced Jackson to go deeper into his bench than normal. Sparingly-used forward Josh Powell played 16 minutes and added five points, four rebounds and two assists. Most importantly and a bit surprising, Powell -- a 46.2 percent free-throw shooter going into the game -- made 3 of 4 from the foul line.
Trevor Ariza led the reserves with 13 points, including a key basket in the final minutes, off a feed from Odom.
"It was a good game, an intensity game,"
Bryant said. "It was a good test for us before going on the road."
The Lakers' inspired second-half play elicited the loudest crowd response heard in awhile at Staples Center. It reached a crescendo when Bryant nailed a 3-pointer to tie the game at 101, and on the ensuing possession, Derek Fisher hit a jumper to push the Lakers ahead by two.
But for much of the game, the Knicks were in control with their rapid-firing offensive attack and the Lakers appeared headed for only their second home loss of the season.
New York guard Nate Robinson was a menace all night, darting past, around and through the Lakers' defense, on the way to a game-high 33 points.
The Knicks made 13 shots from beyond the 3-point arc, including four by Quentin Richardson, who enjoyed the shooting background here during his four years with the Clippers.
"I thought we played well, especially in the first half,"
Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni said. "They made a run, with Kobe, and they had their shots at the end."
The Lakers spoke about the need to limit the scoring, if not the scoring opportunities, that the Knicks had. But in the first half, New York had plenty of both -- points and chances. The 65 points allowed were the most the Lakers have given up in a half.
GASOL OUT
The Lakers were without power forward Pau Gasol, who was home because of strep throat.
Gasol first complained of not feeling well Monday night. He was sent to a throat specialist Tuesday morning and prescribed some medication. However, when Gasol arrived at the arena a couple of hours before the game, it was apparent that he was not feeling well enough to play, so he was sent back home.
Gasol's absence opened up a spot on the active roster for rookie Sun Yue. It only was the second time, in 24 games, that Sun has been active.
Next
Lakers at Miami
Friday, 5 p.m., KCAL/9, ESPN
Lakers guard Sasha Vujacic (18) grimaces after falling to the floor when he fouled New York's Al Harrington in the fourth quarter. The Lakers rallied to beat the Knicks, 116-114, at Staples Center.
