P&G Game 22: vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

Things have gotten worse. There was no Nash, Blake, and Gasol playing for the Lakers, and Kobe and Dwight found it too much to handle, as another duo shone that night: Kyrie Irving and Anderson Varejao stepped up for the Cavaliers and gave the Lakers a 100-94 beating on the purple and gold's first of four road trips, sinking them further away from the .500 mark that they used to have just a week ago.

Yay of the Game:

42: Kobe's final score in the game, making 16 out of his 28 shots, which came alongside 5 boards and 2 dimes. Though it may be good that Kobe seems to be the only one stepping up in this depleted Laker squad, the Lakers are 1-10 when Kobe scores 30 or more.

Nay of the Game:

2: Number of points all the Lakers' PGs have combined (none for Morris, a basket for Duhon). Looks like the one spot is going to be a big problem for the Lakers, as the Steves have not yet been cleared to play.

Play of the Game:

Let's just settle and be consoled that Kobe, a 16-year pro, can still take on sophomore Kyrie Irving:


The Lakers Are Now At:

9-13 (3rd Pacific, 12th West). Lakers fans would sure want the nightmare to be over, but with the New York Knicks around, it seems that the worse is yet to come.

P&G Game 16: vs. Denver Nuggets

After that awful loss against the Indiana Pacers highlighted by a lot of missed free throws, a sick Kobe Bryant scoring 40, and a George Hill layup, the Lakers broke even and once again reached .500 as they trounced upon the Denver Nuggets, 122-103.

Yay of the Game:

17-33: the total number of threepointers the Lakers made and attempted. Reserve G Jodie Meeks led the assault from beyond the ark, making 7 of 9 markers, and together with Antawn Jamison, scored 54 points overall (Jamison scored 33 of those, making him the only bench reserve to get at least 30 points since Shaquille O'Neal did it in the late '90s). The Lakers have played well all over, making 33 of their 47 shots off assists, with the Mamba himself having 8 of those precious dimes.

Nay of the Game:

3-1-3: Darius Morris' points, rebounds, and assists. Morris has been the starting one since the Steves were out, but he was largely inconsistent during that stretch. Could he finally be dethroned by veteran guard Chris Duhon, who got 5 points and 8 assists this game?

Play of the Game:

Last year, Andrew Bynum failed to hit a three-pointer. But early this season, Dwight Howard hit his own.


The Lakers Are Now At:
8-8 (3rd Pacific, 7th West). The Purple & Gold will have to face the Orlando Magic next. Will Dwight Howard show his team that he has since moved on?


Highlights: