National Basketball Association
L.A. Lakers 91, New Jersey 87
When: 10:30 PM ET, Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
Officials:
#47 Bennie Adams, #72 J.T. Orr, #23 Jason Phillips
Attendance:
18997
By SportsDirect Inc.
LAKERS 91, NETS 87: Kobe Bryant scored 24 points, including a game-sealing 3-pointer with 6.8 seconds left, as Los Angeles withstood a late rally by visiting New Jersey and defeated the Nets for the eight straight time.
Deron Williams got the Nets to within 84-81 with a 3-pointer and Gerald Wallace made it 84-83. Los Angeles' Metta World Peace made a layup before Williams tied it at 86 with a 3-pointer to complete a 17-point comeback.
Bryant responded with a 22-foot jumper and Wallace got the Nets to 88-87 making the second of two free throws.
The Lakers nearly turned the ball over on Ramon Sessions’ poor pass before Bryant nailed a 26-footer as the shot clock expired for the game's final points.
Williams missed a long 3-pointer at the other end.
Pau Gasol had 22 points and 12 rebounds. Sessions had 19 points, 11 assists and six rebounds. Bryant added seven rebounds.
Williams led the Nets with 20 points and six assists. Kris Humphries had 18 points and 15 rebounds and Wallace scored 19. Reserve Gerald Green scored 13, all in the first half.
Lakers center Andrew Bynum was sidelined by a sprained left ankle he suffered Sunday against Golden State.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Bynum was reportedly fined by the Lakers for "numerous infractions," including missing a meeting with general manager Mitch Kupchak. “It's an internal matter,” coach Mike Brown said. Brown also said he didn’t think Bynum had an attitude problem and that he had no problem with the center. … The Lakers made 10 of their first 12 shots. … The Lakers raced to a 58-45 halftime lead, shooting 65.8 percent (25 of 38). Gasol scored 18 points on 9-of-13 shooting. Bryant and Sessions each scored 12.
Top Game Performances
New Jersey |
|
L.A. Lakers |
Deron Williams 20 |
Scoring |
Kobe Bryant 24 |
Deron Williams 6 |
Assists |
Ramon Sessions 11 |
Kris Humphries 15 |
Rebounds |
Pau Gasol 12 |
Deron Williams 6 |
Free Throws Made |
Ramon Sessions 5 |
Kris Humphries 2 |
Steals |
Matt Barnes 1 |
Jordan Williams 2 |
Blocks |
Troy Murphy 1 |
Team Stats Summary
Team |
Points |
FG% |
3PM-3PA |
FTM-FTA |
Assists |
Rebounds |
Blocks |
Steals |
Turnovers |
New Jersey
|
87 |
40.0 |
6-18 |
13-15 |
23 |
38 |
4 |
8 |
6 |
L.A. Lakers
|
91 |
48.1 |
7-22 |
6-6 |
27 |
50 |
1 |
4 |
16 |
Upcoming Games
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L.A. Lakers will play their next game on the road against L.A. Clippers. The Lakers have a W/L % of .606 after a win and .667 after a loss.
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New Jersey will play their next game on the road against Portland. The Nets have a W/L % of .211 after a win and .417 after a loss.