LAKERS vs KNICKS (POST-GAME REPORT)

LAKERS 116 KNICKS 114

No Pau? No problem. The Lakers did what they needed to do tonite and came out with a W. Down by 15 at the half doesn't look too good, but up by 2 when the final horn sounds looks GREAT. Lamar Odom, on his first start of the season, showed when he is called upon, he WILL come through. 17 points with 12 rebounds and a season high 38 minutes for the absent Gasol, who was at home with strep throat. Kobe scored 9 of his 28 points in the last 7 minutes, including a 3 pointer in front of the Knicks bench which silenced them after an Al Harrington jam on the previous possesion. Trevor Ariza was all over the place and posted 13 points with 5 rebounds 2 steals and a block. He did have two suspect inbound passes which were nearly stripped but the basketball Gods wanted the Lakeshow to survive this one. Luke Walton also scored a season high 14 points and is showing that Coach Jackson has made a good decision on starting the small forward for the passed 4 games. The man doesn't win championships by luck. Bynum chipped in 13 points 11 rebounds but most importantly, 4 blocks. Towards the end of the game, Bynum's presence on the inside changed many lay-ups and his blocks gave us the momentum to score on the other end. If Pau was playing tonite along with Bynum in the middle, I'm almost positive the game wouldn't be as close.

Nate Robinson of the Knicks had a great night, but it was all in vain due to a loss at Staples. 33 points on 9-16 shooting. Derrick Fisher had 15 points with a season high 7 assists. He also hit a free throw with 2.7 seconds left to put us up by 2 in the end of the 4th quarter. With no time outs left, the Knicks inbounded to Chris Duhon for a desperate halfcourt shot which came up short. 21-3.

“We remembered all the battles we’ve been through. We didn’t panic,” said Kobe Bryant, who also had seven rebounds, six assists and four steals. “Just to be able to stay calm and push our way through, it was a good game for us to have.” Let's home this is the game where our momentum is built up and we can take it on the road trip with a hungry Laker team.

SIDE NOTE: Starbury WAS spotted at tonite's game and reportedly met with Jeanie Buss of the L.A. Lakers prior to tip-off...