(Sports Network) - The two-time defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers aim to snap a two-game skid as they kick off a Midwestern road trip at the Bradley Center against the Milwaukee Bucks.
After winning their first eight games of the season the Lakers have hit a bit of a speed bump, dropping their second straight, a 121-116 setback to the Phoenix Suns on Sunday at Staples Center. Jason Richardson had 35 points and eight rebounds in that one as Phoenix connected on a franchise-record 22 three-pointers.
Richardson made seven of the long-distance shots, while Channing Frye sank four and finished with 20 points.
Pau Gasol finished with 28 points and 17 boards for the Lakers, who also had never allowed 22 three-pointers in a game. Kobe Bryant had 25 points, 14 assists and nine rebounds, but turned the ball over eight times.
"I was happy with our comeback, but was not happy with our 18 turnovers," said Lakers head coach Phil Jackson. "Tonight they were successful at threes; they had remarkable shooting."
LA will also visit Detroit and Minnesota on its trek
The Bucks, meanwhile, have righted the ship after a shaky start, winning their third straight, a 79-72 win over Golden State, on Saturday. John Salmons finished with a game-high 26 points and Brandon Jennings added 19 points and 11 rebounds in that one.
Drew Gooden added 16 points and 10 rebounds while Andrew Bogut had eight points and 17 boards for the Bucks, who have won four of their last five overall.
Monta Ellis led Golden State with 24 points and eight assists, but fellow guard Stephen Curry made just 3-of-14 shots and ended with seven points.
"Salmons and Luc Mbah a Moute both did a good job on [Ellis]," said Bucks head coach Scott Skiles. "They at least made it difficult for him to get open looks. We tried to make him play in a crowd and overall we did a good job of that."
Milwaukee forward Carlos Delfino is questionable for tonight's game with a strained neck, while Lakers guard Steve Blake (stomach virus) and center Theo Ratliff (left knee tendinitis) are iffy for LA.
The Lakers have won five straight in the series and 15 of 18 overall.
Lakers Vs. Bucks: LA Back On Track After 118-107 Victory Over Bucks
Shannon Brown came off the bench to add 21 points on 7-of-9 shooting for the Lakers, who snapped a brief two-game skid to improve to 9-2 on the season. Pau Gasol contributed 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Lamar Odom had 13 points, seven boards and six assists in the victory.
Brandon Jennings also scored 31 points to lead the Bucks, who had won their last three games. Drew Gooden posted 22 points and 13 rebounds, while Andrew Bogut had 12 points and 18 boards in defeat.
Read Article >Lakers Vs. Bucks: LA Slowly Opens Up Lead, 90-81
With four minutes left in the third quarter, Kobe Bryant was called for a phantom technical foul, and neither I nor the Milwaukee announcers could figure out what it was for. Sadly, Corey Magette couldn’t convert the free throw, and the Bucks pathetic foul night continued.
Rebounding was closely contested, but the Bucks committed six turnovers in the third quarter alone. The Lakers slowly built up a lead partly because they clamped down on defense, but also because they have shot 26 free throws. Kobe Bryant, though not having a stellar shooting night from outside, changed up his game to include the paint and as a result has made several trips to the line.
Read Article >Lakers Vs. Bucks: Jennings Lifts Bucks In Final Seconds Of The Half, 59-57
Los Angeles is seeing standard play from their stars, Bryant and Gasol, who both ended the half with 14 points. Gasol leads the Lakers with 5 rebounds.
This game has seen 16 ties and 19 lead changes, which is an indication of how well these teams are matching up tonight.
Read Article >Lakers Vs. Bucks: L.A. Commits No Fouls, Lead Milwaukee 32-29 After One Quarter
The story for the Bucks in the first quarter would have to be their shooting, specifically from beyond the arc. Drew Gooden, who has made two of those threes, had previously made one in the last four years. He finished the quarter with eight points. Brandon Jennings, with 10 points, has also made a few of those from long, and seems to be winning the battle of the guards against Derek Fisher, who has not scored. Milwaukee is shooting 63% from the field, 71 percent from distance.
Kobe Bryant is doing what he does best, which is quietly carrying his team along. He and Pau Gasol finished the quarter with 10 points. Los Angeles is out-rebounding Milwaukee and getting a lot of their points inside from Lamar Odom and Gasol, who appears to be creating an inside match-up nightmare for the Bucks with his size and superior skill.
Read Article >Lakers Vs. Bucks: L.A. Starts Midwest Road Swing Looking To Snap Two-Game Skid
LA will also visit Detroit and Minnesota on its trek
The Lakers have won five straight in the series and 15 of 18 overall.
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