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Once again, the Lakers found themselves in trouble after giving up all of a 17-point lead to the lowly New Jersey Nets, winners of three in a row, but just nineteen on the season. And once again they had to rely on their unmasked hero, Kobe Bryant, to bail them out in the final seconds of the game. Like every superhero, I'm glad he's chosen to use his powers for good instead of evil.
On the night, Kobe was super efficient, shooting 10-16 for a cool 63% (50% on 3-pointers). But he wasn't alone because Pau Gasol also came through big in his first game at center since the beginning of the season. He had to play there because Andrew Bynum was out with a sprained ankle, suffered in the first quarter of Sunday's game. He's listed as day-to-day, but says he will try to play tonight against the Clippers. What he's not saying is anything about the fine levied against him by the team for "numerous infractions", including a missed meeting with GM Mitch Kupchak. Mike Brown says he's not worried about Andrew and the Lakers are still keeping him in their future plans, but the talk will not die down, and Andrew has no one to blame but himself.
Not to be forgotten from last night's game is the amazing skill of Josh McRoberts--or was it luck?--in hitting a buzzer-beater to end the first quarter. He had a grin on his face until the end of the game, as well he should. I think we all did. Way to go Josh.
In other news, the Knicks are terrible, the Lakers are lob leaders, Kareem is getting a statue and a Lebanese player single-handedly scored 113 points in a game, including 32 3-pointers(!).
Next up for the Lakers, the Clippers, who now claim there's no rivalry. Hmmmm, interesting.
↓ More after the jump ↓
L.A. Times
- Lakers hold on to defeat Nets, 91-87
- Beware of the lob ... from Lakers
- Lakers FYI: Mitch Kupchak says 'nothing has changed' about Andrew Bynum's status
- Lakers' Ramon Sessions and his dog get settled in Los Angeles
- Mike Brown says that Andrew Bynum doesn't have an attitude problem
- Kobe Bryant bites Nets with rattler in 91-87 victory
- Clippers claim there is no rivalry with Lakers
- Five things to take from Lakers' 91-87 win over New Jersey Nets
Yahoo! Sports
- Lakers blow big lead, hold off Nets 91-87
- Bynum sits out, Lakers won't confirm fine
- The Knicks might have held Jeremy Lin’s injury news to sell playoff tickets | Ball Don't Lie
- Lebanese basketball player scores 113 points in a single FIBA game | Ball Don't Lie
- Granger leads Pacers past Knicks
ESPN/ESPNLA
- Rapid Reaction: Lakers 91, Nets 87 - Lakers Blog - ESPNLA
- Green goes from Lakers to D-Fenders to Nets; Could come back to Lakers - Lakers Blog - ESPNLA
- Lakers Late Night Replay vs. New Jersey, plus postgame video - Lakers Blog - ESPNLA
- Andrew Bynum sidelined against the Nets, fined by the Lakers - Lakers Blog - ESPNLA
DIME
- Kobe Bryant Saves The Lakers With A Clutch Three-Pointer | Dime Magazine
- Kevin Durant On Skip Bayless: “That Guy Doesn’t Know A Thing About Basketball”
- Kobe Bryant On His Critics: “We’re All Surrounded By Idiots” | Dime Magazine
SI.com
- New Jersey vs. Los Angeles - Recap - 03, 2012
- Larry Bird: Reggie Miller earned spot in 2012 Hall of Fame class
O.C. Register
- Lakers get victory but not easily
- Andrew Bynum will ‘try’ to play vs. Clippers - Lakers blog
- Lakers Wednesday matchup: at Clippers (32-21) - Lakers blog
- Jerseys retired for No. 52 and No. 34 and statue for No. 33 next season - Lakers blog
ProBasketballTalk
- Mavs’ Haywood jokes he’s training with Mayweather after punch allegation
- David Stern still wants to add a year to the age limit
- Where does Anthony Davis fit in the NBA? Anywhere he wants.
- Bynum will “try” to play for Lakers, Mike Brown says everything is cool
Other Links
- LAKERS: Lakers Gameday | 04/03/12 | Nets
- LAL 91, NJN 87: April 3 Running Diary « Lakers Blog
- Forum Blue And Gold » Lakers/Nets: A Familiar Finish (In More Ways Than One)
- Lakers vs. Clippers Pre-Game Report: Final Battle in War for L.A. | Lakers Nation
- Lakers Lose Lead Late, Hold on to Defeat Nets at Staples Center | Lakers Nation
- Notebook: Lakers 91, Nets 87
Multimedia
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