P&G Game 10: vs. Houston Rockets

Head coach Mike D'Antoni delayed bench duties because of his knee replacement. However, interim coach Bernie Bickerstaff did another good job manning the squad, as he used elements of D'Antoni's offensive system to get a huge win over the Houston Rockets, 108-119.

Yay of the Game:

22-11-11: One rare triple double from Kobe Bryant, perhaps one of his most efficient games early in the season. He made half of his buckets (9-of-18), a three out of 3 attempts, and recorded 3 steals with only 3 turnovers.

Nay of the Game: 

6-12: Dwight Howard's free throws made and attempted. If the Superman is going to be fouled more often (which is evident during the game), he has to shoot more than half of his freebies, as they would count during the dying minutes of close games, which, unfortunately, this one isn't.

Play of the Game:

Here's Metta World Peace on a football pass to Pau Gasol in the final seconds of the first quarter.


The Lakers Are Now At: 
5-5 (2nd Pacific, 8th West). The Lakers are looking good as they reach the .500 mark this season. They are going to face the Brooklyn Nets next, a team who, like them, is laden with stars. 
Highlights:

P&G Game 8: vs. San Antonio Spurs

The Lakers hoped to continue their winning ways as they were ahead during the half time, but key adjustments in the third and fourth quarter allowed the Spurs to escape with a win, 84-82, behind Danny Green's game-clinching three and Pau Gasol's missed three pointer near the end of the game.

Yay of the Game:

28-4-8: another MVP-level production for the Black Mamba, who also shot efficiently from the field (12 of 19). Kobe Bryant, alongside Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol, carried the Lakers all through out and kept them afloat, until that fateful Green three-pointer that sealed the deal for the Spurs, who struggled all night thanks to the Lakers' stellar help D, putting the clamps on their Big Ol' Three.

Nay of the Game:

3/10: Pau Gasol's FGA/FGM for the game, including the missed three pointer that could have given the Lakers the lead during the dying seconds of the game. This should be a warning sign for Gasol to get in shape offensively and use his athleticism more frequently, especially now that Mike D'Antoni's taking over and will demand a lot from him.

Play of the Game:

Mamba to Superman early in the first. Hope to see more of that once D'Antoni checks in as head coach.



The Lakers Are Now At:

3-5 (4th Pacific, 14th West). The Lakers will face the Phoenix Suns, the team that was once D'Antoni's. Bernie Bickerstaff will remain to be head coach until early next week, and Jordan Hill is listed as probable for Friday's game. Can the Lakers bounce back and win big after this close game?

Highlights:

P&G Game 7: vs. Sacramento Kings

Winning in fashion over the Golden State Warriors, the Lakers rode their momentum heading into the next game, and they took advantage of DeMarcus Cousins' absence (who is suspended for two games because of a confrontation with Spurs TV analyst Sean Eliott) by abusing them with a Howard-Gasol combo. After a close opening canto, the Lakers blew the game wide open in the second half, and eventually finished with a 103-90 win. Interim head coach Bernie Bickerstaff led the Lakers to its second straight win, moving the team an inch closer to the .500 mark.

Yay of the Game:

23-18: Dwight Howard's points and rebounds, respectively. The Superman made mincemeat of all the Kings' frontmen as he accounted for almost forty percent of the team's 50 rebounds. It was the first time that Howard was really dominant, with the offense of the Lakers hinged on him. It would be interesting if he puts up the same figures against a team that has an equally dominant big man as he is.

Nay of the Game:

18: Jimmer Fredette's markers in only 11 minutes of play. The guy can be dangerous when he hit his shots, and if the bench won't do anything to defend him during crucial possessions, then things might take a different course in the Lakers-Kings meeting (but of course, this isn't a real nay, is it?)

Play of the game:

Who says Steve Blake can't play the point? In this particular sequence, he quickly found Dwight Howard for the big jam.


The Lakers Are Now At:

3-4 (3rd Pacific, 11th West). The Purple & Gold will face their first real challenge in the post-Brown era, the San Antonio Spurs. Will the Superman stand his ground against Tim Duncan? Bernie will remain coaching the team in this game, as new head coach Mike D'Antoni (you read it right) is yet to travel to Los Angeles after a knee-replacement surgery.

Highlights: