Phoenix Suns defeat LA Lakers 118-103. Bad defense and bad shooting lost the game for the Lakers. While the Lakers overpowered the Suns in both games at the Staples Center earlier this season, the Suns defended the paint giving the Lakers’ bigs problems all night. The Suns torched the Lakers in the second half leading by as much as 22 points. While Kobe Bryant led all scorers with 34 points, Amare Stoudemire led the Suns with 26 points and six boards. The bench war was won by the Suns outscoring the Lakers’ subs 52-31. While this is the Lakers third straight mediocre game, it’s still a bit too early to panic and throw foam fingers onto the hardwood. more ›

LA Lakers defeat Golden State Warriors 129-121. The Lakers had to work hard in this second game of a back-to-back. The trailed by as much as 12 points in the third quarter. But they shook off the doldrums and took control of the game at the end of the quarter. The Warriors didn't give up, but the trio of Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol was just too much for them. Both teams had six players that scored in double digits. The Lakers with a 44-10 record have the third best record after 54 games in franchise history. In the other two seasons, 1971-1972 and 1987-1988, they won the NBA title. more ›

Rockets 88, Clippers 71 - Just as Corey Maggette and Brevin Knight returned from injuries, Sam Cassell went down with one. He's doubtful for Friday. The battered Clippers hung tough with Houston until the 4th quarter when Tracy McGrady helped Houston blow it wide open. Maggette had 21 points in his return, and Chris Kaman led the team with 22 points and 13 rebounds. Los Angeles has now dropped seven of nine after winning the... more ›

Phil Jackson, Tuesday - "We call this a 'Brokeback Mountain' game, because there's so much penetration and kickouts ... It was one of those games." Phil Jackson, Wednesday - "If I've offended any horses, Texans, cowboys or gays, I apologize." Lakers 93, Rockets 90 - The Lakers split their Texas two-step, taking down Houston after Tracy McGrady had to leave with an injured elbow. Kobe Bryant led the way with 30 points in a game... more ›

Back during the most heated moments of the Shaq vs. Kobe war that (probably) lead to the dismantling of the championship Lakers, I had an equally combative debate with a co-worker about which of the two players should get the heave-ho. My co-worker, a lifelong Lakers fan, said there was no way Kobe, the best player in the NBA and in the prime of his youth, should be traded instead of the frequently overweight... more ›

Ducks 3, Blackhawks 1 - Tied for last (actually behind the Kings) in the West, Chicago didn't present much of a challenge for playoff-bound Anaheim. After giving up a power play late in the first, the Ducks responded with two goals by rookie Dustin Penner in the second. A third goal by George Parros put it out of reach in the third. Rockets 92, Clippers 87 - Los Angeles led Houston 87-85 with less than... more ›

Kobe has already made history in the last week, becoming only the second player ever in the NBA to score 50 or more points in four straight games. Not so coincidentally, those were four Laker wins. more ›

Happy holidays to Clipper Nation. more ›

LAist has trouble believing this is for real. We have no problems with the Lakers trading Caron Butler. He's a one-dimensional scorer with little interest in defending, plays a position where the Lakers are stocked, and he's LA's most tradable commodity because his salary is low. We get that. We're also fine with the Lakers adding in a Chucky Atkins or a Devean George to match salaries in a trade. And we'd love to see the Lakers add a decent big man. more ›