December 7th, 2010
7:30 Pacific Time
Location:
Starters
Key Reserves:
Killa B's
Agent 6 and a USC Trojan
Game Notes:
The Lakers swept last season's series with Washington 2-0 for the third consecutive year. This will be the 177th meeting between the two franchises with the Lakers leading the all-time series 113-63. Over the past 30 years, the Lakers have lost just two season series to Washington (1975-76; 1-3 and 2004-05; 0-2). The Lakers are 8-2 in their last 10 overall meetings with the Wizards but have taken their last seven straight from Washington. At STAPLES Center, the Lakers are 9-2 all-time against the Wizards. In Washington, the Lakers have won four straight and have gone 7-3 in their last 10 games at Verizon Center. Under head coach Phil Jackson, Los Angeles is 16-4 against Washington. On December 17, 2006 at STAPLES Center, Gilbert Arenas and Kobe Bryant became only the seventh pair of opponents to put up 60- plus points and 45-plus points in the same game. In that game, Arenas became just the 8th player to score 60+ points against the Lakers while establishing a series record for points. Bryant's Los Angeles series record 55 points against Washington came against the Michael Jordan-led Wizards in March of 2003 at STAPLES Center. In 24 career games including 20 starts, Bryant is averaging 25.1 points against Washington. Additionally, Luke Walton and Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas played collegiately together at the University of Arizona. Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak was a member of the 1977-78 Washington Bullets NBA Championship team. Wizards guard Nick Young played collegiately at USC (2004-07) and in high school locally at Cleveland HS in Reseda, CA. Wizards assistant coach Mike Wells was an assistant coach on the Lakers bench for the 2004-05 season.
