BRYANT'S 58 IS TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE
Odom's late turnover costly
BOX SCORE
RAPTORS
LAKERS
LOS ANGELES - Last time the Lakers faced Toronto on Staples Center hardwood,
Kobe Bryant erupted for 81 points as he led the Lakers from 18 points down for a 122-104 victory.
In tonight's game, Toronto led 53-44 at halftime, with Bryant scoring 14 points in the first half. Then, the Raptors feared for the worst.
It seemed like history would repeat itself as Kobe Bryant exploded in the 3rd quarter, eventually tying the game at 73-73. However, late in the game with the Lakers in possesion trailing by two,
Lamar Odom was called for a three second violation which proved to be the game-deciding play.
Toronto then pulled away to give Los Angeles a
115-107 defeat.
Besides Bryant's 58,
Kwame Brown was the only one in double figures with 14.
TJ Ford, despite 12-of-40 shooting, was the main man for Toronto with 34 points and 14 assists.
Chris Bosh also had a monster game with 29 points and 17 rebounds; 10 on the offensive end.
"He's a great young player," Bryant said of Bosh. "Phenominal athlete."
"He almost beat us by himself," Bosh said of Bryant. "He's the best player in the world."
Lakers coach
Phil Jackson had no compliments for his team's effort.
"No energy whatsoever," he said. "We kinda just 'went through the motions' tonight. The team was down virtually the entire game, and no desire was shown to actually want to win the game."
The 222 total team points was well over what the Lakers and the Grizzlies scored in their game: 116.
Morris Peterson was injured during the game and did not return.
GAME PICTURES
