LAst Night's Action: Phil's Worst Day Ever?

Nuggets 113, Lakers 86 - When Phil Jackson went to bed on Wednesday, he was probably looking forward to the day ahead. Things were set up nicely for a home game with Lamar Odom and Luke Walton both returning from injuries. Then his alarm clock rang. Within a few hours, the NBA dished out $100,000 in fines for his comments about a Kobe "witchhunt" and the Lakers lost for the seventh time in a row. Before this season, his worst loosing streak was five. LA's loss to Denver was their 13th in the last 16 games, allowing the Nuggets to pull even with them for the sixth seed in the West.

As for the $50K assessed to both Phil and the Lakers? "I thought you only get fined for criticizing the officiating," Jackson told reporters. "They're the sacred cows. But I find out somebody else has a sacred cow somewhere else."

Bruins 70, Wildcats 42 - No, not those Wildcats. Weber State, a fifteen seed, was no match for second seed UCLA. The Bruins rebounded from a first round loss in the Pac 10 Tournament to pummel their opponent in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Coach Ben Howland played in two NCAA Tourneys for Weber State and may have shown some mercy by not pushing for an even bigger blowout.

Blackhawks 4, Kings 3, SO - LAist is almost impressed that the Kings didn't loose in regulation, overtime, or the first six rounds of penalty shots. That seventh one is a killer, though.

Other March Madness Notes - If you ever wanted to play in a bracket against John McCain, now you can ... Duke sucks, Fark fans rejoice ... At least UCLA knows they beat Florida in something, and has edge on USC, for now ... Speaking of the Trojans, they play on Friday. So does Long Beach State.

Elsewhere - Soccer fans are known for getting a little roudy, or perhaps slap happy ... Any football fans care to compare college coach salaries?

AP photo by David Zalubowski.