GAME: L.A. Lakers Lakers (48-22) at Golden State Warriors (43-26)
DATE/TIME: Monday, March 24 - 10:30 PM EST
SPREAD: Golden State 3 TOTAL: 228.5

The opening game of this home-and-home set between the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors certainly had a playoff-type atmosphere.

The Lakers look to bounce back from the Warriors' thrilling victory in Los Angeles when they meet Monday at Oracle Arena in this possible playoff preview.

On Sunday night, Golden State (43-26) appeared to be well on its way to an easy victory at Los Angeles (48-22), but Kobe Bryant and the Lakers didn't go down without a fight.

The Warriors took a 72-49 halftime lead, and went up by as much as 26 early in the third quarter before Los Angeles stormed back to take a 99-97 lead with 5:08 left in regulation. Bryant scored 27 of his 36 points in the second half, and added a season-high 14 rebounds and eight assists.

Golden State , though, managed to halt the Lakers' rally, as Stephen Jackson scored six of his 31 points on two 3-pointers in the final 38 1/2 seconds in the Warriors' 115-111 victory.

Bryant made two 3-pointers in the last 56.4 seconds, drawing the Lakers within one point each time. But Jackson responded on both occasions.

"I hated that it came down to that," Jackson said. "I think we got a little too complacent with that lead. We should have known Kobe was going to come back and take over and bring his team back.

"The biggest thing was in the third quarter we walked the ball up and they ran. And we got the lead by running. But we found a way to win. That shows the growth of this team from last year. It was ugly, but it was still a win."

The loss ended the Lakers' three-game winning streak and dropped them percentage points behind Western Conference-leading New Orleans . Golden State , meanwhile, won for the 10th time in 14 games, to remain 1 1/2 games ahead of Denver in the race for the West's eighth and final playoff spot.

Los Angeles' loss on Sunday snapped a nine-game home winning streak over the Warriors, while its 108-106 defeat at Golden State on Dec. 14 ended a nine-game overall winning streak against them.

The Warriors have not won a season series from the Lakers since taking three of five in 1994-95, and have not swept a home-and-home series over Los Angeles since the 1975-76 season.

"It's really hard in the NBA to beat a team twice in a row, especially the Lakers, so we have to be on our A-game, we can't have letdowns like we did (Sunday)," Jackson said.

Golden State 's Monta Ellis scored 31 points on Sunday, and is averaging 27.7 points on 63.6 percent shooting in his last three games.

Lakers forward Lamar Odom finished with 19 points, a career-high 22 rebounds, four blocked shots and two steals on Sunday. Odom is averaging 18.8 points and 16.5 rebounds in his last four games against the Warriors.

Center Pau Gasol missed his fifth straight game with a sprained left ankle, and won't play in this contest either. Lakers coach Phil Jackson said he expects Gasol to return sometime this week, perhaps as soon as Wednesday night against Charlotte .

Lakers vs Warriors News
12/14/07 Golden State vs L.A. Lakers
10/10/07 Golden State 111 Lakers 110
03/25/07 Golden State 113 Lakers 115
02/25/07 L.A. Lakers 102, Golden State 85
02/25/07 Lakers vs Warriors preview
11/02/06 Lakers 110, Warriors 98
11/02/06 Lakers Warriors Preview

Glen Davis
Position: F
Class: Junior
Ht: 6-9 Wt: 289
College: LSU
Hometown: Baton Rouge

NBA Future:
DeMarcus Cousins
DeMarcus Cousins is a big PF who averaged 26 pts, 15 rebounds, 10 assists, 70% FG and 80% FT per game as a freshman in high school last year. DeMarcus Cousins has developing post moves, is an excellent rebounder, and a solid athlete. DeMarcus Cousins' ability to overpower players gives him a very high ceiling. DeMarcus Cousins has a 7'3" wingspan and 9'0" standing reach. DeMarcus Cousins is very raw. DeMarcus Cousins needs to work on his footwork and decision making mostly. DeMarcus Cousins offense is coming along fine, but he needs to become more of a leader on defense. DeMarcus Cousins consistency is also a problem against top competition.

NBA Future:
Brandon Rush, Glen Davis , Javars Crittenton, Daeqan Cook, Elton Brand.

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