LAKERS DRIVE STALLS AT FIVE WIN STREAK ENDS AGAINST WORST TEAM IN LEAGUE MEMPHIS 88, LAKERS 86.Byline: ROSS SILER Staff Writer In the three seasons since Shaquille O'Neal Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal (pronounced "shak-KEEL") (born March 6, 1972 in Newark, New Jersey), frequently referred to simply as Shaq, is an American professional basketball player, generally regarded as one of the most dominant in the National Basketball Association (NBA). left town, the Lakers have not been able to stretch a winning streak Noun 1. winning streak - a streak of wins streak, run - an unbroken series of events; "had a streak of bad luck"; "Nicklaus had a run of birdies" past five games. All that stood in their way of finally accomplishing that feat Tuesday night was the NBA's worst team, which was playing for nothing more than draft lottery Draft lottery could refer to:
Even that seemingly easy setup was too great a task for the Lakers, as they suffered an inexplicable 88-86 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies This is an article about the National Basketball Association team; for the defunct World Football League team, see Memphis Southmen. The Memphis Grizzlies are a professional basketball team based in Memphis, Tennessee. on a night in which Kobe Bryant Kobe Bean Bryant (born July 23 1978) is an American All-Star shooting guard in the National Basketball Association (NBA) who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers. made just 7 of 26 shots and ended the game flat on his back. The Lakers led by 15 points early in the second quarter yet trailed the entire fourth and blew a chance to solidify their hold on sixth place in the Western Conference standings. They could have pulled three games ahead of Denver but now lead by just two. It was a night in which Bryant was outscored 24-23 by little-known Tarence Kinsey and the Lakers suffered a humiliating hu·mil·i·ate tr.v. hu·mil·i·at·ed, hu·mil·i·at·ing, hu·mil·i·ates To lower the pride, dignity, or self-respect of. See Synonyms at degrade. loss to a Memphis team playing without two injured starters (Mike Miller and Damon Stoudamire) and the second game of a back-to-back set. Even as Bryant chased Wilt Chamberlain in recent weeks, the Lakers showed that they still aren't above losing to an 18-54 Memphis team. All the Grizzlies The name Grizzlies may refer to:
The Lakers still had a chance to win after Hakim Warrick made one of two free throws with 6.5 seconds left to leave Memphis ahead 88-86. Lamar Odom inbounded the ball on the right side and Phil Jackson diagrammed a play for Smush Parker, not Bryant. Parker missed a 3-pointer short from the corner but the rebound bounced straight to Bryant, who had his fadeaway fade·a·way n. 1. The act or an instance of gradually diminishing in brightness, loudness, or strength until actual disappearance occurs. 2. Baseball a. A screwball. b. jumper on the baseline blocked by Pau Gasol. He ended up on his back as time ran out on the game and the Lakers' five-game winning streak. With Bryant facing two defenders at every turn and was 3 of 14 from the floor in the second half as the Lakers had to go elsewhere down the stretch. They had their opportunities but couldn't come through against one of the NBA's feeblest defensive teams. Odom and Ronny Turiaf both had shots blocked near the basket in the last 3:32. Odom stepped to the line with 2:10 left and made only 1 of 2 free throws. He also lost a rebound off his hands out of bounds to give the ball back to Memphis. Odom did come up with a steal, leading to a Luke Walton 3-pointer from the corner that tied the score 81-81 with 1:15 left. But Kinsey answered with a 3-pointer for Memphis and Odom missed from beyond the arc with 43.9 seconds remaining. Odom filled up the box score with 16 rebounds and 11 assists but made only 1 of 7 shots. The Lakers still had a chance to tie but Parker missed a 3-pointer with 13.1 seconds to play and Kinsey hit two free throws after being fouled to make it 86-81. That was enough of a cushion for Memphis to hold on and beat the Lakers for the second time this season. For all the talk about building momentum heading toward the playoffs, Tuesday's loss felt like a slap in the face. Never in Bryant's career had he faced the same team so soon after a historic game. Only five days earlier, Bryant scorched scorch v. scorched, scorch·ing, scorch·es v.tr. 1. To burn superficially so as to discolor or damage the texture of. See Synonyms at burn1. 2. the Grizzlies for 60 points in a 121-119 victory at FedEx Forum. It was the fourth-highest scoring game of Bryant's career. The Grizzlies dug in with a zone defense all game, running two defenders at Bryant whenever he touched the ball. Bryant made just 4 of 12 shots in the first half but had four assists with his 12 points. After twice striking players in the head with flailing arms this season, Bryant had the favor returned in the second quarter. He slapped the ball out of Gasol's hands only to crumple crum·ple v. crum·pled, crum·pling, crum·ples v.tr. 1. To crush together or press into wrinkles; rumple. 2. To cause to collapse. v.intr. 1. to the floor as Gasol swung his left arm and hit Bryant in the face. Whether Gasol will suffer the same fate as Bryant and receive a one-game suspension from the NBA NBA abbr. 1. National Basketball Association 2. National Boxing Association NBA (US) n abbr (= National Basketball Association) → Basketball-Dachverband (= office remains to be seen. ross.siler@dailynews.com (818) 713-3610 CAPTION(S): photo Photo: (color) Kobe Bryant tries to clear his eyes after being hit in the face by Memphis' Pau Gasol. Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer |
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