The Los Angeles Lakers closed out the first half strong, and as a result lead the New Jersey Nets 52-42 at halftime at Prudential Center in New Jersey. The Lakers may have been having déjà vu as they saw a first quarter lead shrink, just as they did against the Bulls on Friday night, as the Nets turned a one-time nine-point lead to three points with 2:57 remaining in the half. However, the Lakers scored the final seven points of the second quarter, taking a 10-point lead into halftime.
Lamar Odom led the Lakers with 12 points in 15 minutes, making five of his seven field goal attempts. Pau Gasol added seven points, six rebounds, and two blocked shots, playing 21 minutes in the first half. Gasol has topped 40 minutes in six of his last nine games.
The Lakers shot 43.9% in the first 24 minutes, making the same 18 of 41 shots as the Nets. The Lakers, in their first day start of the season, a 10 a.m. PST tipoff, made just one of their first eight shots, but shot 51.5% after that. The Lakers bench combined for 16 points in the first half, making five of eight shots, including two of three shots from beyond the three-point arc.
Brook Lopez led the Nets with 12 points in the first half. New Jersey has lost six straight games.
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