Lakers Vs 76ers Tickets
GAME: Philadelphia 76ers (8-21) at L.A.Lakers (19-11) DATE/TIME: Sunday, December 31 - 9:30 PM EST SPREAD: Los Angeles -9.5 TOTAL: 197

Kobe Bryant and Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson were admittedly tired after their road trip lasted longer than expected. Their return home, however, certainly doesn't ensure a cakewalk.

After ending a six-game road trip with a grueling loss, the Lakers look to avoid a third straight overtime game at Staples Center as they face the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday.

Bryant offset his 58 points in 55 minutes with two key errors in the third overtime as Los Angeles (19-11) lost 133-124 to Charlotte on Friday night to finish its road trip at 3-3.

"I don't want to have to do that," an exhausted Bryant said of his big scoring night. "It's too tiring."

Bryant spoiled the third-highest point total of his career by committing a foul on Derek Anderson's 3-point attempt with 1:14 left. Anderson hit all three free throws to give the Charlotte Bobcats a 129-124 lead. He then missed a long jumper and fouled out when Anderson drew a charge on the Lakers' next possession.

Bryant shot 22-of-45, and his performance trailed only his 81-point game last January against the Toronto Raptors and a 62-point effort Dec. 20, 2005, versus Dallas.

"I don't care about scoring all those points," Bryant said. "I would much rather not do that. It's tiring. But sometimes you have to do what you have to do."

Even Jackson acknowledged it's been tough being on the road for 12 days after recently undergoing hip replacement surgery.

"It was a challenge," said Jackson, who still noticeably limps.

Now Jackson leads his team back home, where it has played two straight overtime games. Los Angeles beat Houston Rockets in double-overtime on Dec. 15, then lost to Washington Wizards 147-141 after one overtime on Dec. 17.

Philadelphia (8-21), meanwhile, is in midst of a seven-game road trip. The 76ers improved to 1-2 with a 98-95 win over Portland on Friday.

Andre Igoudala has taken over as the team's primary offensive threat since Allen Iverson was traded with four games of at least 20 points in his last six. He scored 32 points against the Trail Blazers, surpassing his career high for the second time in seven days.

"We finally had a breakthrough game," Igoudala said.

Igoudala, whose previous career high was 31 against Boston on Dec. 22, is averaging 16.5 points.

Philadelphia may again be without Chris Webber, who missed the Portland game because of a bruised right foot. Webber, who has butted heads with coach Maurice Cheeks over playing time, was a late addition to the inactive list. Alan Henderson started in his place, and he split time with Joe Smith - acquired from the Denver Nuggets in the Iverson trade.

Los Angeles and Philadelphia split their two games last season, with each team winning at home. The Lakers have won six of their last seven meetings with the 76ers at Staples Center, holding Philadelphia to 90.2 points per game.

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NBA Future:
Tyler Hansbrough
Tyler Hansbrough led Oak Hill Academy to a 42-1 record as a senior (won their first 42 games) o First-team USA Today All-America selection o Averaged 23.8 points, 9.1 assists and five steals in 2006 o Shot 63 percent from the floor, including 42 percent from three-point range o Had a season-high 37 points, one of nine games in which he scored 30 or more o Had a season-high 18 assists and had double-digit assists 18 times o Played for coach Steve Smith o Participated in McDonald's All-Star Game, Jordan Classic and Nike Hoop Summit o McDonald's and Parade All-America selection o Had 17 points and six assists in Nike Hoop Summit o Also played soccer last year at Oak Hill o Most Valuable Player at Oak Hill in 2005 o Most Valuable Player at World Juniors Tournament in France in June 2005 o Attended Bishop McNamara High School in Forestville, Md., for two years.

NBA Future:
Ronald Steele
Ronald Steele is an American basketball player for the University of Alabama. He raised his NBA draft profile a lot during his sophomore year. He decided to return for his junior year, and will likely be a first round draft pick in the 2007 NBA Draft. He is capable from scoring inside, from the perimeter, and grabbing rebounds, proving his versatility. He attended John Caroll High School, and led the school to an undefeated 36-0 record in his junior season.

In August 2006, Steele attended a basketball camp ran by legendary basketball player Michael Jordan. After giving him tips and "a lot of compliments," Jordan invited Steele to play in a two-on-two pickup game.

Ronald Steele
Position: G
Class: Junior
Ht: 6-3 Wt: 185
College: Alabama
Hometown: Birmingham

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