The way the Los Angeles Lakers have been playing, it is understandable that there is a lot of unhappiness at Staples Center . Kobe Bryant, for instance, was rather surly after Sunday's loss, saying of his recent technical foul binge, "F**k it, I don't care. I can afford it." However, tonight's game with the Detroit Pistons looks to provide some good feelings for the Lakers.
For one, the Pistons have lost three straight road games and 11 of 12 away from home. They are 11-23 on the season, the inverse record of the Lakers. Detroit is playing on the second night of a back-to-back. In short, the Lakers should be able to win this game.
Also, Bryant is continuing his march up the all-time NBA scoring list. Kobe has scored 26,654 points in his career, the most in Lakers franchise history, which currently ranks 11th all-time in NBA history. Bryant is 15 points from passing Dominique Wilkins for 10th place on the scoring list, putting him in rarefied air:
Bryant has scored 17 points or more this season in 32 of 34 games. He has already passed John Havlicek on the scoring list this season, and barring injury should end up in sixth place on the all-time scoring list by the end of the season. That will make for an interesting scoring list, with Kobe one spot behind Shaquille O'Neal in the annals of NBA history.
Slumping Lakers Host Pistons At Staples Center
The Los Angeles Lakers look to right their ship tonight as they host the Detroit Pistons at Staples Center . The Lakers have lost four of their last six games, with all four losses by at least 15 points, so the evidence of a slump is readily apparent. However, they are still 23-11, which is still a 55-win pace, so it's hard to press the panic button just yet. Two championships and three straight NBA Finals appearances tend to earn a little leeway. However, given the way the team has played in the last two weeks, there is cause for concern.
Pau Gasol, for instance, needs to get more involved in the offense, and he needs to play better as well. Gasol, who averages 14 shots per game on the season, has attempted just 34 shots in the last four games. It's not just about shot attempts for Gasol, either. Getting the ball to him in the paint opens up the offense, since Pau is a skilled passer who can find teammates either cutting to the basket or with an open jump shot. However, Gasol had a miserable game against the Grizzlies on Sunday night. He had 10 points and eight rebounds in 31 minutes, but didn't get to the free throw line, had no assists, and committed five turnovers. The better Gasol plays and the more he is involved, the more efficient the Lakers offense will become.
The Lakers have beaten the Pistons in their last four meetings, including a 103-90 win on November 17. They have beaten Detroit in eight of their last 11 games at Staples Center . Tonight's game is the first game of back-to-back games, with the Lakers traveling to Phoenix to battle the Suns on Wednesday.
Lakers vs Pistons news:
Detroit Pistons 91, L.A. Lakers 103
Lakers Vs Pistons Preview 11/16/07
Lakers 78, Pistons 93 02/08/07
Lakers Vs Pistons Preview 02/08/07
Lakers 83 Pistons 97 11/10/06
Lakers Vs Pistons Preview 11/10/06
Lakers Vs Pistons a look back to March 06.
Kobe Bryant news:
•Kobe Bryant apologizes to Lakers GM
•Kobe Bryant Wins Scoring Title
•Kobe has most popular jersey in USA, China
•Bryant Proves the Best
•Wade beats Bryant for another Skills Challenge win
•Memorabilia Offered by Kobe Bryant and Upper Deck
•Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant Suspended
•Why did Kobe change to 24?
•Kobe Bryant: Won't Play This Week
•Kobe Bryant to Collab with Lil Wayne
•Lakers' Kobe Bryant ready for another run as NBA season nears
•Kobe Bryant Dunk Videos
•Kobe Bryant Videos
•Kobe Bryant Scores the Cover of NBA '07 for PlayStation
•Los Angeles Lakers All-Star Kobe Bryant Scores the Cover of NBA '07
Los Angeles news:
• Los Angeles news
•Los Angeles Concerts news
• Beckham Signs with Los Angeles Galaxy
• Top 10 Most Valuable NBA Franchise
• 10 Ten things to do in Los Angeles
• Lower back spasms from the court.
• Top 10 Los Angeles Restaurants.
• Top 10 Los Angeles Experiences
Staples Center news:
•Get up to the minute Los Angeles Concert tour news
•Garth Brooks To Play Staples Center Benefit Shows For Fire Victims
•Bon Jovi Staples Center
•Van Halen Staples Center Dec 14th
•Wild try to continue hot start in LA
•Hyundai Returns to X Games 13 Rally Car Racing
• Rumorville Eric Clapton to play the Staples Center
• Grady Brewer wins 'Contender 2' in a split decision over Steve Forbes
• Cirque comes the LA Staples Center
Phil Jackson news:
• Lakers coach Jackson fined US$25,000
• Phil Jackson to have hip surgery
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