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Kings @ Lakers | Staples Center 6:30PM PST
Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 10:42 pm
by mobiuseinz



There have been no trade demands, fights with future Hall of Fame centers or public feuds with coaches for Kobe Bryant this season.
So far, it has been all business for the star and the Los Angeles Lakers, who host the struggling Sacramento Kings on Sunday.
Los Angeles (10-1), off to its best start since winning its last title in 2001-02, opened a five-game homestand with a 104-90 victory Friday over Denver— its third straight win overall. The Lakers hit 14-of-21 from the field in the first quarter and led by as many as 27 points in the second as all five starters played less than 30 minutes.
“It’s about taking care of business. That is how we push it,” said Bryant, whose 2007 offseason and early season was marked by demanding Lakers owner Jerry Buss to trade him, a war of words with Phoenix Suns center and former teammate Shaquille O’Neal and cohesive struggles with coach Phil Jackson.
“It’s a push against the clock. I think it shows the business attitude that we have, as well as depth. I wanted to do a little more service, especially in these sleeper games.”
Bryant, who is logging five minutes less per game than last season, when he averaged 38.9 minutes, and the Lakers’ starters have had plenty of time to rest in 2008-09. Los Angeles has the NBA’s second-ranked scoring offense at 104.8 points per game, and the third-best scoring defense, allowing just 91.3 per game.
Pau Gasol—the Lakers’ leader with 34.5 minutes per game—sat the fourth quarter against Denver after scoring 12 points and grabbing four rebounds. In four games with Los Angeles last season, Gasol averaged 24.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.0 blocks against the Kings.
Andrew Bynum, who had his second double-double of the season with 13 points and 13 rebounds against the Nuggets, did not face the Kings last season due to a knee injury, but averaged 12.3 points and 6.0 rebounds in four games in 2006-07 while shooting 84.0 percent (21-for-25).
While Los Angeles looks to improve to 6-1 at Staples Center, Sacramento is coming off its fourth straight loss at Arco Arena.
The Kings were routed 117-96 by Portland on Friday, allowing the Trail Blazers to make 14-of-26 from 3-point range.
“When it rains it pours and that was definitely the case tonight,” said center Spencer Hawes, who scored 15 points off the bench. “I don’t know how many 3s were going in. And the ones that weren’t were long rebounds it seemed like they were getting.”
Sacramento (5-9), outrebounded 38-29 by Portland, has grabbed 4.8 fewer rebounds per game than its opponents in losing four of its last five. The Lakers, meanwhile, average 46.8 rebounds—third in the NBA.
Rookie Jason Thompson posted season highs with 19 points and 12 rebounds against Portland, while Brad Miller hit 7-of-9 shots and scored 16 points.
In 12 lifetime road games against the Lakers, Miller is averaging 8.8 points and 6.3 rebounds.
The Lakers have won four of the last six between the teams at Staples Center, with the victories by an average of 18.5 points.
By MATT BEARDMORE, STATS Write
Re: Kings @ Lakers | Staples Center 6:30PM PST
Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 11:39 pm
by Anklebreaker702
Should be a good game. Good luck guys
Re: Kings @ Lakers | Staples Center 6:30PM PST
Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 12:30 am
by ICMTM
Best looking game thread I've seen in a long time!
Re: Kings @ Lakers | Staples Center 6:30PM PST
Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 12:37 am
by SadKingsFan
anklebreaker702 wrote:Should be a good game. Good luck guys
Thanks man you to... but not too much.

you know the kings suck when laker fans are coming in here and were all having good clean conversation.
Re: Kings @ Lakers | Staples Center 6:30PM PST
Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 12:53 am
by Anklebreaker702
Kevin MartinFan wrote:anklebreaker702 wrote:Should be a good game. Good luck guys
Thanks man you to... but not too much.

you know the kings suck when laker fans are coming in here and were all having good clean conversation.
LOL well I'm not a Kings hater, I'm all Cali, Lakers 1st though. I like having good convo but can battle if neccessary

Re: Kings @ Lakers | Staples Center 6:30PM PST
Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 1:11 am
by KingInExile
anklebreaker702 wrote:Kevin MartinFan wrote:anklebreaker702 wrote:Should be a good game. Good luck guys
Thanks man you to... but not too much.

you know the kings suck when laker fans are coming in here and were all having good clean conversation.
LOL well I'm not a Kings hater, I'm all Cali, Lakers 1st though. I like having good convo
but can battle if neccessary 
We prefer you don't

I predict that Salmons holds Kobe to 2 pts and 10 TOs and that Thompson takes Gasol to school. Kings win 120-75.
I think I need another beer or 2 before tip.
Re: Kings @ Lakers | Staples Center 6:30PM PST
Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 1:19 am
by Anklebreaker702
Naw. sounds like you've tipped back too many already

Hopefully it's not some type of weird omen though
Re: Kings @ Lakers | Staples Center 6:30PM PST
Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 1:22 am
by Cruel_Ruin
Thompson goes for 30/15/5, Salmons shuts Kobe down, Beno has a career night. Kings only lose by 25.
Re: Kings @ Lakers | Staples Center 6:30PM PST
Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 1:24 am
by KingInExile
Ah, I see why you're so confused. I meant to put Thompson taking Gasol to school, not Salmons (fixed it above).
Re: Kings @ Lakers | Staples Center 6:30PM PST
Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 1:25 am
by SacKingZZZ
Kings win in triple OT by 4 points.
Re: Kings @ Lakers | Staples Center 6:30PM PST
Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 1:29 am
by KingInExile
Now that I think of it, I need Kobe to cough up 25 TOs so I can take back that category in my matchup against Mobi this week (can't believe my team has given up 95 TOs this week).
Re: Kings @ Lakers | Staples Center 6:30PM PST
Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 1:43 am
by mobiuseinz
KingInExile wrote:Now that I think of it, I need Kobe to cough up 25 TOs so I can take back that category in my matchup against Mobi this week (can't believe my team has given up 95 TOs this week).
If Kobe breaks the NBA scoring record tonight, you're screwed... also if he gets like 12 steals as well..
Kobe tonight 101pts 10rebs 2ast 12stls and the Kings win 121-119
Re: Kings @ Lakers | Staples Center 6:30PM PST
Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 2:14 am
by Wolfay
KingInExile wrote:Now that I think of it, I need Kobe to cough up 25 TOs so I can take back that category in my matchup against Mobi this week (can't believe my team has given up 95 TOs this week).
That's bad? My team does that every week...
Both Salmons and Beno are on my team so here's hoping for career tonights for both of 'em.
Re: Kings @ Lakers | Staples Center 6:30PM PST
Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 2:30 am
by Kuq_e_Zi91
Pacers fan here.. random I know. But I'm a big Jason Thompson fan and he's on my fantasy team so I'm looking for a big game by him. By the way, did you guys catch the interview he just did? I think it was on the Lakers broadcast though. I swear he said "you know" about 50 times.
Re: Kings @ Lakers | Staples Center 6:30PM PST
Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 2:46 am
by thebiggesthomer
Which is more Likely Kobe goes for 50 PTS OR THE KINGS AS A TEAM SCORE 100
Re: Kings @ Lakers | Staples Center 6:30PM PST
Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 2:51 am
by KingInExile
Wasn't expecting the "Ivory Towers" (as Spencer calls the duo of him and Brad) for the starting lineup. Interesting.
Re: Kings @ Lakers | Staples Center 6:30PM PST
Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 2:58 am
by SacTown Kings
Just tuned in. I know our future looks BRIGHT but does Radman really have to wear sunglasses.
Re: Kings @ Lakers | Staples Center 6:30PM PST
Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 3:06 am
by RIPskaterdude
God I hate the Machine.
Re: Kings @ Lakers | Staples Center 6:30PM PST
Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 3:07 am
by pillwenney
Well...the quarter at least looked like it was going to end well.
Re: Kings @ Lakers | Staples Center 6:30PM PST
Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 3:09 am
by KingInExile
I was about to say that I was generally happy with the 1st quarter...then we blow the last possession.
Very happy with Thompson though! 6pts, 3rbs and 3steals in 12 min! Jason is really earning serious consideration for a permanent starting job right now.