The Los Angeles Lakers had every opportunity to win tonight's game with the Miami Heat, but couldn't get it done. LeBron James scored 19 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and had nine assists, and the Heat snapped their five-game losing streak, beating the Lakers 94-88. The win snapped an eight-game winning streak for the Lakers.
The Lakers were down by two at halftime, 55-53, but they turned up the defense in the second half, much as they have all throughout their winning streak. The Lakers held Miami to just 39 points in the second half. However, the Lakers couldn't hit any shots themselves, making just 12 of 41 field goals in the second half, a paltry 29.3%. Kobe Bryant scored 24 points to lead the Lakers, but scored only seven in the second half, and had two key turnovers in the final two minutes, turning an 88-88 tie into a Laker loss.
Andrew Bynum didn't do much in the first half, with six points and one rebound, but he was assertive in the second half, and finished with a double-double, with 13 points and 12 boards. Pau Gasol scored 20 for the Lakers, but only grabbed five rebounds. Miami outrebounded the Lakers 46-37 on the night.
The Lakers held James and Dwyane Wade to 16-for-40 shooting from the field, but were burned by Chris Bosh, who paced the Heat with 24 points and nine boards. Miami swept the season series with the Lakers, 2-0. The Lakers conclude their road trip Saturday night in Dallas.
For more information on tonight's game, be sure to read Silver Screen and Roll.