Los Angeles Lakers Blog – Page 165 – NBA Blog

Players of Week: LeBron, Kobe

The Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant today were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Dec. 22, through Sunday, Dec. 28.

James guided the Cavaliers to a 3-0 mark, with home wins over the Rockets, Wizards and Heat, improving Cleveland’s mark at Quicken Loans Arena to 16-0, tops in the NBA. He averaged 26.0 points on 53 percent shooting, while adding 6.7 rebounds and 6.7 assists, as Cleveland improved to 26-4, the best start in franchise history. He finished with 27 points, including 19 in the second half, as Cleveland rallied to defeat Houston. He tallied 11 fourth-quarter points and finished with 33 points and nine assists in a comeback win over Miami.

Bryant led the Lakers to a 4-0 week, averaging 30.0 points on 54 percent shooting, to go with 5.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists. He tallied a game-high 27 points, nine rebounds and five assists, as the Lakers defeated Boston on Christmas Day, 92-83, snapping the Celtics’ 19-game winning streak. He capped off the week going 10-for-10 from the free throw line en route to scoring 31 points in a 130-113 victory over Golden State.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Miami’s Dwyane Wade, Orlando’s Rashard Lewis, Cleveland’s Mo Williams, Charlotte’s Gerald Wallace, Atlanta’s Joe Johnson, Detroit’s Rodney Stuckey, Houston’s Yao Ming, Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant, San Antonio’s Tony Parker and Toronto’s Jermaine O’Neal.

Bryant leads Lakers past Warriors, 130-113

The AP reports: Kobe Bryant explained why the Celtics had a letdown and the Lakers didn’t following the rivals’ intense game several days earlier. “They had won 19 straight games, so they were due for a couple of bad ones,” Bryant said Sunday night after scoring 31 points in Los Angeles’ 130-113 romp over the Golden State Warriors… Derek Fisher added 19 points in the win and Sasha Vujacic had 17. Pau Gasol had 13 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, and Andrew Bynum chipped in with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Jamal Crawford returned to the Warriors’ lineup after missing two games with a groin strain and scored 22 points. Marco Belinelli and Brandan Wright had 14 points apiece, and Andris Biedrins had eight points and 17 rebounds.

Dec 25: Lakers 92, Celtics 83

The AP reports: Kobe Bryant had 27 points, nine rebounds and five assists, Pau Gasol scored seven of his 20 points in the final three minutes, and the Lakers used a strong finish to beat Boston 92-83 Thursday, snapping the Celtics’ franchise-record 19-game winning streak… “Give them all the credit,” said Boston’s Paul Pierce, who had 20 points and 10 rebounds but was scoreless in the fourth quarter. “We just have to play better down the stretch.” … Lamar Odom had 10 points and seven rebounds for the Lakers (24-5), who won their 12th straight game at home, where they’re 15-1… Kevin Garnett shot 11-of-14 in leading the Celtics (27-3) with 22 points and nine rebounds. Ray Allen scored 14, but went 2-of-11 after making his first three shots. Rondo was held to six points, shooting 3-of-11, but had 12 assists.

Nielsen NBA ratings for Christmas games

Nielson.com reports: Since ABC obtained NBA broadcasting rights in 2002, the network’s Christmas Day games have averaged a 4.1 rating and 6.9 million viewers nationally. The highest mark came in 2004 when the Lakers and Heat (featuring a much-anticipated reunion between Kobe and Shaq) pulled a 7.3 rating and 13.2 million viewers. The San Antonio Spurs and Phoenix Suns officially tip off ABC’s broadcast season at 2:40pm ET Christmas Day. Last year, the NBA on ABC averaged a 2.2 national rating, up 10% from 06-07.

InsideHoops.com says: Looking at the Nielson ratings for NBA Christmas games, Phoenix at LA Lakers in 2007 was seen by 5,985,000 people. LA Lakers at Miami in 2006 was seen by 5,464,000 viewers. Miami at Cleveland in 2006 was seen by 5,020,000 people. San Antonio at Detroit in 2005 was viewed by 6,011,000 people. LA Lakers at Miami in 2005 was seen by 8,063,000 viewers. Miami at LA Lakers in 2004 was seen by 13,182,000 people. Dallas at Sacramento in 2003 was seen by 5,030,000 people. Houston at LA Lakers in 2003 was seen by 7,187,000 people. Boston at New Jersey in 2002 was seen by 3,957,000 people. And Sacramento at LA Lakers in 2002 was seen by 7,484,000 viewers.

Jordan Farmar out 8 weeks after surgery

Lakers guard Jordan Farmar underwent successful surgery today to repair a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee, it was announced by the team.

The surgery, which took approximately 30 minutes, was performed by Dr. Clarence Shields of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Group. Farmar is expected to be out approximately eight weeks.

Farmar suffered the injury in the fourth quarter of the Lakers game at Miami on Friday night. He is averaging 7.9 points and 2.4 assists in 19.6 minutes this season.

Dec 23: Lakers 100, Hornets 87

The AP reports: Kobe Bryant scored 26 points, Pau Gasol added 20, and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the New Orleans Hornets 100-87 on Tuesday night. The performance was more dominant than the final score indicated and precisely what the Lakers needed after stumbling through much of a four-game road trip… Chris Paul finished with 17 points and 10 assists for the Hornets, who had won 11 of their previous 13 games and were looking to move closer to the Lakers in the Western Conference… Andrew Bynum scored 13 points for Los Angeles, which also got 11 points from Derek Fisher and 10 from Trevor Ariza. Butler scored 17 points for New Orleans. Morris Peterson added 16 and David West 13 on 5-of-15 shooting.

Dec 22: Lakers 105, Grizzlies 96

The AP reports: Kobe Bryant rescued the Los Angeles Lakers from a third straight loss. Bryant scored 36 points and keyed a late rally to help the Los Angeles Lakers snap a two-game losing streak with a 105-96 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night. The Lakers trailed by 93-88 with 3:08 left, but closed the game on a 17-3 run, including 10 points from Bryant to overtake the Grizzlies down the stretch. His breakaway dunk as the horn sounded put an exclamation point on the Lakers’ win… Pau Gasol had 15 points, seven rebounds and had six assists in his return to Memphis. Gasol played six-plus seasons with the Grizzlies before being traded to Los Angeles in February. Part of the trade included his brother, Marc, going to the Grizzlies… Rudy Gay led Memphis with 23 points, while O.J. Mayo scored 22 and had six assists.

Jordan Farmar needs surgery

Lakers guard Jordan Farmar, who suffered an injury to his left knee in Friday night’s game at Miami, was examined by Lakers’ team doctor Steve Lombardo today in Los Angeles. In seeking an additional opinion, Farmar also was examined by Dr. Byron Patterson.

Both doctors concurred with the original diagnosis of a torn lateral meniscus, and have recommended surgery.

Farmar is currently weighing his options, and the Lakers will issue an update when he has made a decision.

Bynum and D-Howard meet Saturday

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard is a big, strong, super-athletic center who rebounds, blocks shots, and dunks on people’s heads.

Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum is also very big, but every aspect of the rest of his game, as well as his physical tools, are still in development.

The two giants go at each other tonight. The Los Angeles Times (Broderick Turner) reports:

“It’s going to be tough,” Bynum said. “You’re going have to keep him as far away from the basket as you can and make him shoot shots. If he starts getting dunks, it’s over.” Just ask San Antonio’s Tim Duncan, whom Howard backed down low and dunked over during a game between the Spurs and Magic on Thursday. “Yeah, I saw that,” Bynum said. “That was something.” Howard is a chiseled, 6-11, 265-pounder who is a power player… “He gets up and down the court pretty fast,” Bynum said. “He’s really good at ducking in. He’s probably the best in the league that whenever he sees the ball coming toward his side at being real aggressive.”

Magic-Lakers is the best game of the night. I’ll be watching.

Well, to be exact, I’ll be recording it, while out partying. And watching in the morning.

Enjoy the action.

Jordan Farmar hurts knee

Los Angeles Lakers backup point guard Jordan Farmar plays 20 minutes per game and averages 7.9 points, 2.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.08 steals. Although he’s shooting just 40.5% from the field, Farmar is a key reserve. But he’ll be out of action for a while; how long is to be determined: The Orange County Register (Kevin Ding) reports:

One of the Lakers’ more valuable reserves, Jordan Farmar, will be out of action for a while with a tear of the lateral meniscus in his left knee. An MRI today here in Orlando found the cartilage tear, and Farmar is headed home to Los Angeles on Sunday for further examination by team doctors Monday. No word yet on the severity of the tear or whether it will require surgery. In the case of surgery, it could sideline Farmar for months.

Naturally, InsideHoops.com will keep you updated as to what happens, on our front page, or rumors page, or this blog, or probably a combination of the three.