LAst Night's Action: Lakers Skirt by Knickerbockers

Kobe Bryant and the Lakers Fight for the Win. AP Photo/Gus Ruelas

LA Lakers defeat New York Knicks 116-114. The Lakers are a very infuriating team. They had moments of great defensive stops which led me to believe they play defense only when they want to. They also missed a lot of shots right under their basket by being tentative and trying to lay it in rather than dunking authoritatively. This against a team that has no big man! Even though the Lakers are now 21-3, why does it seem so unfulfilling?

LA Clippers defeat Oklahoma City Thunder 98-88. As expected the Clippers won their third straight game by defeating the terrible Thunder out in the prairie. Zach Randolph during this hot stretch for the Clippers has been looking more like Elton Brand, just a bit wider. Randolph had a double-double with 22 points and 13 rebounds and Marcus Camby joined him for the party with 13 points and 15 rebounds of his own. Eric Gordon and Baron Davis rounded out the double-digit scoring with 22 points and 19 points respectively. Meanwhile the Thunder under interim head coach Scott Brooks are 1-12, the same record as their fired head coach PJ Carlesimo.

NY Rangers defeat Anaheim Ducks 3-1. With the game tied 1-1 the Rangers Nigel Dawes scored an unassisted goal with three minutes left in the game. With two minutes left in the game, Chris Kunitz got a double minor high sticking penalty followed by a slashing penalty by Ryan Getzlaf with a minute left leaving the Ducks with only three players on the ice to close out the game thus effectively eliminating any chance of coming back. Careless puck handling and undisciplined penalties were too much for the Ducks to overcome.