In Progress: Unbeaten Lakers Cruising At Home Against Grizzlies
(Sports Network) - Kobe Bryant has been struggling with a balky right knee but that hasn't stopped the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers from opening the season in positive fashion.
In fact the Lakers will aim to remain perfect on the young campaign Tuesday when they welcome the Memphis Grizzlies to Staples Center.
LA improved to 3-0 on Sunday when Pau Gasol scored 26 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, as the Lakers dominated the Golden State Warriors, 107-83.
Bryant added 20 points and seven rebounds for the Lakers, who have won three in a row to begin the season for the first time since winning seven straight to commence the 2008-09 campaign. Lamar Odom chipped in 16 points and 14 rebounds.
"Other than our 20 turnovers, we weren't bad tonight. We got loose balls and some easy baskets," Lakers head coach Phil Jackson said.
Bryant, who underwent surgery on the knee for a third time this offseason, jokingly told the media: “Leave me the (heck) alone about my (expletive) knee.”
In response, Jackson told the team’s website, “I’m pleased with the progress of Kobe, it looks like his offense is coming along. Defensively he still is working on some things that he has to get done with his strength and base. He’s not 100 percent but that’s good of him to say it. Offensively he looks fine.”
Memphis, which opens a four-game road trip tonight, is coming off a blowout win over Minnesota on Saturday. Mike Conley stuffed the stat sheet with 14 points, 11 assists, seven rebounds and seven of a franchise-record 22 steals, as the Grizzlies rolled to a 109-89 win.
"I think it's effort," coach Lionel Hollins said. "It's getting back to what we do. We had some consistency with our effort."
On the injury front for Memphis, power forward Zach Randolph is questionable for tonight's game with a bruised lower back, while rookie guard Xavier Henry is probable with a strained neck.
The Grizzlies, who will also face Golden State, Phoenix and Sacramento on their trek, will be shooting for their first 3-1 start since the 2005-06 campaign, the last time the franchise made the postseason.
The Lakers have taken six of their past seven meetings with Memphis, which is winless in its last three as the guest in this series.
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