NO MIRACLES FOR LAKERS L.A. 0-2 VS. KINGS AFTER TOUGH LOSS SACRAMENTO 103, LAKERS 101.Byline: Howard Beck Staff Writer By a foot, maybe less, the Lakers let go of their five-game 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" Thursday night and saw it replaced with the uniquely aggravating sting of a two-game losing streak to the Sacramento Kings. Despite a second 35-point game in a row from 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. and 24 points from a resurgent re·sur·gent adj. 1. Experiencing or tending to bring about renewal or revival. 2. Sweeping or surging back again. Adj. 1. 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). , the Lakers fell 103-101 at Staples Center This article has multiple issues: * Its neutrality is disputed. * It may contain original research or unverifiable claims. * It does not cite any references or sources. . They are 0-2 against their Pacific Division rivals. Mike Bibby Michael (Mike) Bibby (born May 13, 1978 in Cherry Hill, New Jersey) is an American professional basketball point guard for the NBA's Sacramento Kings, and the son of former NBA and UCLA player and former USC basketball coach and current Philadelphia 76ers assistant coach Henry hit consecutive 3-pointers - the first with Gary Payton
Bryant was short on a 3-point attempt with under three seconds left, Bibby took the rebound, and the Lakers lost for the first time since the All-Star break. The Lakers stumbled down the stretch, O'Neal missing a pair of free throws, and Devean George Devean Jamar George (born August 29 1977 in Minneapolis, Minnesota) is an American professional basketball player for the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA. He typically plays small forward but because of his athleticism and defensive activity, can defend many shooting guards as well. fouling Anthony Peeler Anthony Eugene Peeler (born November 25, 1969 in Kansas City, Missouri) is an American professional basketball player, formerly in the NBA. Played High School ball at Paseo High School. In 1988, Peeler was drafted by Major League Baseball's Texas Rangers in the 41st round. to create a 3-point play. O'Neal threw down a vicious dunk on Divac to it 94-94, and Bryant put the Lakers ahead with a driving layup past Divac. Peeler's 3-point play gave the Kings a 97-96 lead with 2:04 left. Peja Stojakovic scored 37 points, becoming the second small forward in two nights to make a mockery of the Lakers' defense. Carmelo Anthony hit them for 35 points Wednesday. The Lakers had a 10-point lead early in the first half, but Stojakovic scored 18 points in the third quarter to wipe out the deficit. As of tipoff, the Lakers trailed Sacramento by five games, and yet with a month and a half left on the schedule - and two head-to-head meetings yet to come - they were loathe to concede the division. ``We'd like to reel them in a little bit and we think we can,'' coach Phil Jackson said. ``And to do that, we're going to have to beat them when we see them in the course of the final two months of the season. They've got a sizable lead, a few games in the loss column, and to do that, tonight's a start.'' First, they had to reacclimate to sea level after spending a mile-high evening in Denver, where the air was thin and the victory was hard-earned and controversial. The Lakers arrived home after midnight, canceled their morning shootaround and went through a brief walk-through two hours before game time. On wobbly legs, they dueled the Kings down to the final minutes of the fourth quarter, then headed home and packed for the road again. They leave this morning for Washington, the first stop on a four-game trip. By any objective measure, the night didn't figure to be a true gauge of the rivalry. Kings star Chris Webber is serving a suspension for lying to a grand jury and violating the league drug policy. His replacement, Brad Miller, is recovering from a sprained foot, and the Kings' sixth man, Bobby Jackson, is on the injured list because of an abdominal strain. Howard Beck, (818)713-3613 howard.beck(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): photo Photo: (color) The Lakers' Shaquille O'Neal is fouled by Sacramento' Gerald Wallace on Thursday in L.A. Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer |
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