Lakers are now 11-1 with win over Kings

LOS ANGELES (AP)—Double-digit scoring by eight Los Angeles Lakers camouflaged what nearly cost them a victory against the young and aggressive Sacramento Kings: sloppy ball handling and poor transition defense.

The Lakers committed 18 turnovers Sunday night, which the Kings converted into 30 points. But Kobe Bryant was good when he had to be, scoring 24 points and dishing out six assists to help the defending Western Conference champs beat the Kings 118-108 and improve the NBA’s best record to 11-1.

All five Lakers starters reached double figures in points by the third quarter, as they won for the fourth straight time since losing to Detroit at home. Andrew Bynum had 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Pau Gasol chipped in with 16 points.

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Lakers beat Nuggets again, 104-90

Yahoo Sports - November 22, 2008

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LOS ANGELES (AP)—Phil Jackson prefers when none of his starters has to play more than 34 minutes. Not only did he get his wish in the Lakers’ one-sided win over Denver, but none of them spent 30 minutes on the court—and they still kept Carmelo Anthony in check.

Kobe Bryant scored 11 of his 29 points in the third quarter before sitting out the fourth, Andrew Bynum had 13 points and 13 rebounds, and Los Angeles coasted to a 104-90 victory on Friday night.

The defending Western Conference champion Lakers (10-1) are off to their best start through 11 games since the 2001-02 championship season, when they won 16 of their first 17. All of their victories have been decided by seven or more points—which was their winning margin against four teams.

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Kobe, Vlad lead Lakers past Suns 105-92

By BOB BAUM, AP Sports Writer - November 21, 2008

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PHOENIX (AP)—Kobe Bryant had a below-average game. He’s got so much help on this Los Angeles Lakers team it didn’t matter.

Bryant scored 24 points, Vladimir Radmanovic made all five of his 3-pointers and a host of others made significant contributions to help the Lakers past the Phoenix Suns, 105-92 on Thursday night.

Bryant shot only 8-of-23, but the Lakers overwhelmed Phoenix with their depth. Six players reached double figures as Los Angeles improved its record to a league-best 9-1.

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Lakers rebounded from first loss with victory over Bulls

By JOHN NADEL, AP Sports Writer - November 19, 2008

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LOS ANGELES (AP)—The Los Angeles Lakers went to their inside game against the smaller Chicago Bulls. The strategy worked to perfection.

Pau Gasol scored 24 of his season-high 34 points in the first half, Andrew Bynum added 18 points, nine rebounds and three blocked shots, and the Lakers rebounded from their first loss of the season with a 116-109 victory over the Bulls on Tuesday night.

“We wanted to go inside, and we did,” Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. “We just kept rolling. We had a size advantage.”

The Lakers scored 64 points in the paint, with Gasol shooting 14-of-21 and Bynum going 5-of-10.

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Pistons handed the Lakers its first loss

By KEN PETERS, AP Sports Writer - November 15, 2008

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LOS ANGELES (AP)—The new-look Detroit Pistons still have the Los Angeles Lakers’ number.

Rasheed Wallace had 25 points and 13 rebounds, Allen Iverson added 25 points and the Pistons handed the Lakers their first loss of the season, 106-95 Friday night.

The win was the Pistons’ eighth in the last 10 meetings.

Kobe Bryant scored 29 points for the Lakers, but went 12-of-30 from the floor.

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