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Alright, that's it. I give up on trying to find out who these Lakers are. Just 24-hrs removed from the drubbing at Phoenix, the Lakers go out and play an all-around great game on the heels of a supposed Lakers controversy. I don't know about you guys, but I want Kobe speaking up for Pau every post game from here on out.
Early on, it was apparent that the Blazers weren't really there. They were down 29-7 in the first quarter and looked completely lifeless in the process. For the Lakers, crisp ball movement and an active Andrew Bynum on the offensive glass netted them 12 second-chance points and complete control of the first quarter. They finished the half strong en route to a 52-30 lead, led by Andrew's double-double and surprisingly, Steve Blake's 14 points off 4-4 shooting from beyond the arc. Mike Brown was pleased:
"I thought the first quarter and half, we moved the basketball as good as we have all year ... it was fun to watch."
After the break, lackadaisical play from the Lakers in the 3rd, where the Blazers put up 36 points, and early 4th allowed the Blazers to pull within reach before Mike Brown called upon the starters to wrap up the game. It should have never gotten to this point, credit the Blazers for finally waking up and making some shots.
Rest day today before a road back-to-back against the Mavs and Thunder. Let's hope the home Lakers can make the trip.
↓ Much more after the jump ↓
Lakers News
- Lakers 103, Trail Blazers 92
- Lakers 103, Blazers 92: Feb. 20 Running Diary | Lakers Blog
- Lakers ride huge 1st quarter past Blazers 103-92
- Mitch Kupchak Statement | Lakers.com
- Kobe: Trade Pau Or Leave Him Alone!
- Lakers GM Kupchak responds to Kobe's rant
- Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak responds to Bryant's rant about Pau Gasol | ESPN LA
- Lakers ride fast start to victory against Blazers | ESPN
- Rapid reaction: Lakers 103, Blazers 92 | ESPN LA
- Pau Gasol and the Trade Machine | ESPN LA
- Professionalism, uncertainty and a problem bigger than Pau | ESPN LA
- Mitch Kupchack issues statement | ESPN LA
- Kobe Bryant upset with Lakers' management over Pau Gasol's situation | LA Times
- Kobe Bryant, other Lakers let loose with their frustrations | LA Times
- World Peace gives Kupchak stamp of approval | OC Register
- Lakers defeat the Trail Blazers, 103-92 | LA Times
- T.J. Simers: Kobe Bryant's latest rant hurts Lakers, and Pau Gasol | LA Times
- Mitch Kupchak declines to take Pau Gasol out of trade talks | LA Times
- Lakers will beat the Blazers; insights from Columbian's Calkins | LA Times
- Lakers 103, Trail Blazers 92 | OC Register
NBA.com
- New spin on old underdog tale makes Lin's story shine
- Power Rankings: Heat on another level
- Nets vs. Knicks | NBA.com
- Spurs vs. Jazz | NBA.com
- Nowitzki moves into top 20 on NBA career scoring list
ESPN
- Deron Williams pours in 38 as Nets thwart Jeremy Lin, Knicks in Carmelo Anthony's return
- Surgery on Greg Oden of Portland Trail Blazers turned into third microfracture
- Dirk Nowitzki-led Mavs cruise by short-handed Celtics
- Boston Celtics' Rajon Rondo suspended for tossing ball at ref
- Manu Ginobili of San Antonio Spurs out 2 weeks with oblique strain
Yahoo! Sports
- Deron Williams exacts revenge on Jeremy Lin, N.Y.
- Williams has 38, Nets handle Linsanity this time
- Anthony, Davis join the Linsanity
- Jeremy Lin's success is due to coach's system, says Mavericks' Jason Terry
- Former top pick Oden has 3rd microfracture surgery
ProBasketball Talk
- Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak releases statement on rumors
- Jeremy Lin who? Deron Williams dominates Knicks in Net wins
- Ginobili, Splitter both expected to miss two weeks with injuries
- Harden, Collison both out for Thunder against New Orleans
- Today in ultra-miserable Greg Oden news: Greg Oden is going to have microfracture surgery for the 3rd time
- Carmelo Anthony returns to Knicks lineup Monday vs. Nets
- Rajon Rondo suspended two games for throwing ball at ref
- Jon Brockman is better at trick shots than you
- Gilbert Arenas has been giving Jeremy Lin advice
- Westbrook, Williams headline All-Star Skills Challenge
Dime Mag / SLAM Online
- Deron Williams Shuts Up New York; Ryan Anderson Serves Up A Robert Horry Special | Dime Magazine
- SNL Spoofs Jeremy Lin Racial Jokes | Dime Magazine
- JR Smith Says He Has a ‘Really Clean Slate’ With the Knicks | SLAM Online
- Kobe Bryant Wants Lakers to Make a Decision on Pau Gasol | SLAM Online
- Reports: Derrick Rose Wants Pau Gasol in Chicago | SLAM Online
Blogs and Other Links
- Mitch Kupchak Responds to Kobe Bryant's Pau Gasol Rumor Comments | Lakers Nation
- Lakers/Trailblazers: The Rout That Wasn’t | Forum Blue & Gold
- Making it all fit together can be puzzling or whatever is the best puzzle pun here | HoopSpeak.com
- The Greg Oden Era: Disappointment, but no regrets | Eye On Basketball
- With Melo back in, fit with Lin questions begin. | Eye On Basketball
- Lakers' Kupchak responds to Kobe, Gasol | Eye On Basketball
- Analyzing The Anomalous: Ersan Ilyasova vs. New Jersey | Shaky Ankles
- Kyle Lowry Continues To Make Things Look Easy | Shaky Ankles
Multimedia