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LAst Night's Action: Lakers Cold in Toronto
Kobe down but not out. AP Photo/Nathan Dennette
LA Lakers defeat Toronto Raptors 115-107. It took three quarters but the Lakers defense finally thawed out and showed up to get the stops against the Raptors. Kobe Bryant scored 36 points far less than the 61 he scored Monday night in Madison Square Garden. Pau Gasol showed his consistency playing center with a 31 point, 15 rebound effort after his 31-14 game Monday night. A little alarming is the fact that Gasol played all but 3:30 of the game while Kobe played for 37:33. With the game tonight against the Boston Celtics, hopefully they don't have a lethargic performance.
UCLA Bruins defeat USC Trojans 76-60. UCLA used a stout defense to limit the Trojans to only 21 first half points thanks mostly to turnovers. The most surprising thing about the game was how lopsided it was. Even John Wooden left the game with four minutes remaining. USC guard Li'l Romeo aka Percy Miller scored a point in the game, the first point in his college career. While on the free throw line the UCLA student section chanted, "Bow Wow's Better." Both teams rest for the weekend.
Minnesota Wild defeat Anaheim Ducks 3-0. The Ducks had 34 shots on goal, but Wild's goalie Niklas Backstrom saved all of them notching his sixth shutout of the season. While the Kings have a problem with keeping leads in the third period, the Ducks have trouble showing up before the third period.
Orlando Magic defeat LA Clippers 125-96. Nothing to see here.
Notable Notes
- The Dodgers are back at the negotiating table with Manny Ramirez. I have a hunch we'll have a definitive answer about Manny's status this week. That's not a very difficult prediction seeing that pitchers and catchers report to spring training in a little more than a week.
- David Beckham, in an ultimate showing of douchebaggery, wants to get out of his contract with the LA Galaxy in order to play with AC Milan.
- While most people in the country are frothing at the mouth over signing day for college football recruits, I could give two shits. But while USC had their usual strong recruiting class, it looks like Rick Neuheisel's recruiting mojo helped UCLA have the strongest recruiting class in a long while.
- Barry Bonds looks like he's in deep shit.
Tonight's Action
LA Lakers at Boston Celtics. My asshole is totally clenched over this one. 5:00 pm TNT, AM 570 KLAC.
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LA Kings at Washington Capitals. 4:00 pm FSWest, AM 1150 KTLK.
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