The Lakers (8-18) lost a close one to the Kevin Durant-less Oklahoma City Thunder (13-14). Here are five takeaways from their 104-103 loss on Friday at Staples Center.
1) Kobe Bryant neared a triple-double with nine points, eight rebounds and eight assists. Six Lakers scored in double figures, led by Ed Davis, but Bryant’s missed attempt at the game-winner kept him in single digits. The Lakers’ All-Star guard shot only three for 15 from the field with just four free throws.
“I did not have my legs tonight,” said Bryant after the game. “It’s frustrating, and I have to figure it out. It’s hit or miss right now. Some games it’s there, some games it’s not. I just have to try different things and see where it goes.”
2) The Lakers tied their season high with 28 assists, which they originally set in their first win of the season over the Charlotte Hornets on Nov. 9. Kobe Bryant led the team with his eight assists while Jeremy Lin contributed five off the bench. The Lakers also had 11 turnovers, a rare case where their opponent did a better job taking care of the ball (seven for Oklahoma City). The Lakers’ average of 12 turnovers a game is third best in the league.
3) Ronnie Price’s fast start helped the Lakers jump out early in the first quarter. The veteran guard scored 14 in the quarter, four short of his career high. He finished with the same 14 points in almost 26 minutes on five-of-eight shooting from the field, including four three-pointers.
4) Kobe Bryant praised the Dallas Mavericks’ acquisition of point guard Rajon Rondo via trade. While he complimented Rondo’s ability to distribute the basketball and play defense, he downplayed the Mavericks’ chances to win it all — unwilling to give Mark Cuban, owner of the Mavericks, the satisfaction.
Bryant and Rondo recently had breakfast together in Boston before the Lakers fell to the Celtics, 113-96.
5) Keep an eye out for a possible suspension of Nick Young. The league will certainly take a look at his dust-up with Steven Adams, which involved a Young forearm and ejection (flagrant foul 2).
“I just looked at it again,” said Coach Byron Scott after the game. “That’s how Adams is. He’s going to grab and hold and do things to try and irritate you. Nick definitely overreacted, and he’s too valuable for us, to overreact and get kicked out of the game like that.”
Best guess, Young is given a seat for the Lakers’ Sunday visit to the Sacramento Kings (11-15).
Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.
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