NBA GAME PREVIEW: Atlanta Hawks vs. L.A. Lakers Lakers
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, March 8th, 2011
Unbeaten since the All-Star break and hungry for more, the surging Los Angeles Lakers will continue a four-game road trip tonight against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena.
Los Angeles entered the break on a three-game losing streak and had many wondering if the two-time defending champions were running out of steam. The Lakers have quieted those talks with seven straight wins and made a statement with Sunday's 99-83 slaying of the San Antonio Spurs in the Alamo City . San Antonio had won 22 in a row at home and lost as the host for the first time since a November 26 setback to rival Dallas .
All-Star Game MVP Kobe Bryant had 26 points, seven rebounds and five assists to lead the way and Pau Gasol totaled 21 points, six boards and five assists for LA, which is third in the Western Conference standings -- 1 1/2 games off the No. spot currently occupied by the Mavericks.
"We're playing well and it's important to keep that going," Bryant said. "Today was a good test to see how much we've improved since the All-Star break. We passed today."
Andrew Bynum grabbed 17 rebounds to go with four points and Lamar Odom added 15 points in a winning effort. The Pacific Division-leading Lakers will also visit Miami and Dallas on the road swing before returning to Hollywood for a showdown with Orlando . Los Angeles is 23-11 as the visitor this season and unbeaten in four consecutive road bouts.
Bryant is 12 points shy of Moses Malone for sixth on the NBA's all-time scoring list. Guard Derek Fisher has played in 477 games in a row -- the longest active streak in the league.
The Hawks will close out a four-game homestand Tuesday and fell to 1-2 on the residency with their second straight loss, a 92-79 setback versus the New York Knicks on Sunday.
Josh Smith returned to the lineup after missing two games with a sprained right knee and scored 17 points to go with 11 rebounds, while Kirk Hinrich tallied 15 points for Atlanta , which has dropped six of nine games and fell to 18-11 as the host.
"It felt great. We just weren't able to get the win," Smith said of getting back into action. "They're a dangerous team."
Atlanta , seeded fifth in the East, committed 19 turnovers for 24 New York points. Joe Johnson and Jamal Crawford each had 14 points in a losing cause. Johnson needs five more assists to tie Bob Petit for fifth in team history. After tonight's game, the Hawks will head to Chicago before returning to Philips Arena for a six-game homestand.
Los Angeles recently demolished the Hawks, 104-80, on Feb. 22 at Staples Center behind 20 points from Bryant. The Lakers have won six of nine meetings with Atlanta , but are winless in three straight trips to Georgia .
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