Los Angeles (16-16) at Los Angeles (17-13)
Currently: - Game info: 10:30 pm EST Sat Jan 7, 2006
- TV: KCAL, KTLA
Kobe Bryant made quite a return for the Los Angeles Lakers.
He’ll try to help the Lakers end a three-game slide against the Clippers when the Southern California rivals meet at the Staples Center.
Bryant returned Friday after serving a two-game suspension for elbowing Memphis’ Mike Miller in the throat on Dec. 30 and scored 48 points in a 119-93 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. He made all seven 3-point attempts and notched the eighth 40-point effort of this season to help the Lakers end a five-game skid.
“Our spacing was good, which made it very difficult to corral me,” Bryant said. “When they did, we were able to swing the ball and get open opportunities for everybody else.”
Bryant will be seeking to help restore the pecking order of Los Angeles basketball in the Lakers’ favor. The Clippers’ three-game winning streak over the Lakers is their second-longest in the history of the series to a four-game slide in 1974-75.
The Lakers had won 44 of the previous 58 matchups.
“We’re looking forward to it,” Bryant said. “It’s going to be a good test for us and it’s going to be a challenge.”
Bryant also became the youngest player in NBA history to score 15,000 points Friday, reaching the mark at 27 years, 136 days. He accomplished the feat 19 days faster than Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain.
While the Clippers have been contending for the top spot in the Pacific Division most of the season, they are mired in their first prolonged slump. They fell for the eighth time in 11 games, 118-114 Friday at Sacramento.
Sam Cassell scored 28 points to lead the Clippers, but he missed a potential go-ahead 3-pointer with six seconds left as the Clippers lost for the 15th straight time in Sacramento.
“I had a decent look, not a great look,” said Cassell. “I shot the 3, and it was a shot I thought I could make.”
Elton Brand recorded his 20th double-double of the season with 24 points and 13 rebounds on Friday.
Brand is averaging 24.3 points and 14.3 rebounds during the Clippers’ winning streak over the Lakers.
The Lakers have won five of the last six matchups in which the Clippers have been the “home” team.
Team Comparison
| Team | Record | Standings | PF | PA | Road/Home | Streak | L10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 45-37 | 3rd Pacific / 7th West | 99.4 | 96.9 | Road 18-23 | Won 5 | 7-3 |
| Los Angeles | 47-35 | 2nd Pacific / 6th West | 97.2 | 95.6 | Home 27-14 | Won 1 | 5-5 |
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Silver Screen and Roll
Clips NationNotes
Lakers coach Phil Jackson is breaking with his playoff tradition of wearing the most recent championship ring from his collection of nine NBA titles. "I'm tired of wearing that ring," he said about his 2002 bauble. "I've been wearing it for seven years now." ... G Jordan Farmar played despite tendinitis in his right pinky toe.
Apr 19, 10:25 pm EDT
Clippers F Zach Randolph missed the finale because of a mild concussion. ... Los Angeles F Al Thornton, notorious for munching on McDonald's before games, said he will cut out all fast food and hire a chef to eat healthier in preparation for next season. Thornton has a torn tendon in his right shoulder and has not played the last five games. ... The Clippers finished the season 19-63, the eighth worst-record in franchise history.
Apr 16, 1:13 am EDT