The defending champion Los Angeles Lakers were knocked to
the canvas the last time out and will try to get back on their feet tonight,
when they welcome the Atlanta Hawks to Staples Center.
The Lakers topped the local Clippers in the season opener on Tuesday, but
stumbled in Friday's 94-80 loss versus the Dallas Mavericks in the second test
of a three-game homestand. Finals MVP Kobe Bryant finished with 20 points and
was only 6-of-19 from the field.
"It's one of the longest nights we've had in this building," said Lakers coach
Phil Jackson. "We should refund the money to our fans. Every time we got
momentum we shot ourselves in our own foot."
Andrew Bynum tallied 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Lakers, who shot a
dismal 13-of-36 from the field in defeat. Lamar Odom had 10 points, seven
assists and six rebounds in a losing effort. In injury news for the defending
champion Lakers, center Pau Gasol is expected to miss Sunday's game with a
strained right hamstring. Gasol has missed the first two games.
Meanwhile, the Hawks are off to another unbeaten start and sport a 2-0 record
after back-to-back home wins over Indiana and Washington. Now they will embark
on a four-game road trip.
In Friday's 100-89 victory over the Wizards at Philips Arena, Josh Smith
pumped in 20 points and pulled down eight rebounds, Joe Johnson added 17
points, six assists and five rebounds and Jamal Crawford ended with 16 points
for the Hawks, who opened their season with a 120-109 victory over the Indiana
Pacers on Wednesday.
"We scored the ball very well in the first half, but I knew they would make a
run in the second half," Atlanta head coach Mike Woodson said. "I thought
Marvin (Williams) had a huge fourth quarter for us."
The Hawks hope to eventually pass last season's 6-0 record to start the
season, and will also visit the Trail Blazers, Kings and Bobcats on the road
swing.
Atlanta and Los Angeles have split the past four meetings, but the Lakers have
won 20 of the last 29 contests in the series. The Hawks are winless in their
past three contests as the guest against the Lakers.
©2009 Sports Network. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
