NBA GAME PREVIEW: Atlanta Hawks at L.A. Lakers Lakers
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, February 22, 2011 - 7:30 PM PST
Fresh off winning his record-tying fourth All-Star game MVP award on Sunday, Kobe Bryant hopes to get his Lakers back on track when the Atlanta Hawks visit Staples Center Tuesday night.
Bryant scored 37 points with 14 rebounds as the West held on for a 148-143 victory over the East and received the loudest cheers during pre-game introductions at Staples Center .
"Being at home, I wanted to come out hard and put on a good show," said Bryant, who tied Bob Pettit for the most MVPs in All-Star game history.
It was almost enough to help Lakers fans forget about the two-time defending champions stumble into the All-Star break. After winning four straight to start a seven-game road trip, LA finished things with three consecutive losses, the last of which was an embarrassing 104-99 defeat to NBA-worst Cleveland last Wednesday.
Pau Gasol had a gigantic night in that loss with 30 points and 20 boards while Bryant struggled, shooting just 8-of-24 in a 17-point, 12-rebound effort for the Lakers, who limped into the All-Star break at 38-19 comfortably atop the Pacific Division.
"We have to go back and get some work done," Los Angeles head coach Phil Jackson said. "I'm not happy with the way this trip ended, for sure."
Atlanta , meanwhile, also entered the break on a sour note, falling in New York when Amare Stoudemire returned from a one-game absence to score 23 points, as the Knicks had a surprisingly easy time dispatching the Hawks, 102-90.
All five Atlanta starters finished in double figures, led by Marvin Williams' 17 points, but the Hawks nonetheless lost for the third time in four games. Al Horford recorded 12 points and 11 rebounds for Atlanta , while Joe Johnson ended with 11 points, seven boards and six assists in the loss.
"The warning signs were there early in the first quarter, especially on the defensive end," Hawks head coach Larry Drew said. "It'll be good to get a little break."
The Lakers and Hawks have split their home-and-home season series in each of the past three seasons.
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