LA Lakers defeat Memphis Grizzlies 99-98. Kobe Bryant returned to the lineup after 18 games which amounted to five games where the Lakers went 4-1. To prove he wasn’t feeling rusty he went and scored 32 points punctuated by an open look three with four seconds left after OJ Mayo stumbled off of a Pau Gasol screen. Gasol for his part added 22 points and 13 rebounds while Andrew Bynum scored 15 points with four rebounds before fouling out with 2:06 left. Both teams free throw shooting suddenly went out of the window after being so good during most of the game. Pau Gasol and Derek Fisher missed five consecutive free throws down the stretch while trailing the Grizz, and OJ Mayo missed two that would have iced the game. It also should be noted that, despite the game being played in Memphis which has become a house of injury horrors for the Lakers, Lamar Odom did not injure a fellow player.
Tonight’s Action
LA Lakers at Dallas Mavericks. 6:00 pm KCAL9, ESPN, AM 710 KSPN.
Detroit Pistons at LA Clippers. 7:30 pm FS Prime Ticket, AM 980 KFWB.
Cal State Northridge Matadors at UCSB Gauchos. 7:00 pm.
