When Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol combine for more than 60 points, there is not a lot for Lakers fans to worry about.
“The only thing I’m disappointed about is we didn’t get tacos for our fans,” said Phil Jackson.
Fans didn’t get tacos because the Lakers won only 113-100. Of course, giving up 100 points means no free trips to Jack in the Box for ticket holders, something their arteries may thank them for. In fact, it was an easy night on Lakers fans' hearts all around.
The Lakers jumped out to a 24-8 lead out of the gun, not looking like a team that was rusty after a few days off. Kobe had 17 first half points on six of 8 shooting and the Lakers led by around 20 throughout the first half.
To start the second half the Lakers night as well have stayed in the locker room. The 20-point lead evaporated down to three points at one point in the third quarter. The Lakers got a comfortable lead back with a 14-2 run, and while the Lakers never put the game it never totally seemed in doubt.
Trevor Ariza took care of that. In the fourth quarter, with the game still within five points, Trevor Ariza sealed it almost single-handedly. First he stole the ball from CJ Miles at the top of the key, raced out on the breakaway and hit the layup while being fouled. Next trip down it was another Ariza steal that led to a Lakers fast break, however this one ended with Derek Fisher missing a 15-foot jumper. No worries, Ariza was there to get the rebound and score, putting the Lakers up by 9.
Not all the drama was done, however. With a free throw with 13 seconds left, Gasol became the 15h foreign-born player to score 10,000 career points in the NBA.
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Bryant finished the game with 40 points, while Gasol added 21 points and 11 rebounds. Lamar Odom came off the bench to score a dozen, while Ariza finished with 11.
