The Los Angeles Lakers hoped to rebound from two difficult losses on the road with a home win tonight, instead, the Indiana Pacers came into Staples Center and handed the Lakers their second loss of the season when playing in Los Angeles as the Lakers drop their third straight game and falling to 10-8 in the season.
Kobe Bryant led all scorers with 33 points, eight rebounds, and four assists, but it was not enough to overcome a balanced scoring attack from the Pacers.
No Pacer had more than 20 points in the game, but six players scored over 10 with Roy Hibbert leading Indiana with 18.
Pau Gasol surprisingly led both teams in assists with 10, but only shot 4 of 12 from the field with 8 points and eight rebounds.
Indiana, who are a great perimeter shooting team, made 10 3-point field goals in the game and made 16 of 19 from the charity stripe. The Lakers on the other hand missed 11 free throws.
Lakers led by 12 with four minutes left to play in the first half until David West of Indiana got hot, making three field goals, two of them 3-point field goals, to cut the Lakers lead to three by the half. In the second half, both teams played a seesaw affair as there were seven lead changes in the fourth quarter with the Pacers ultimately going on top.
The Lakers will host the Clippers on Wednesday as they hope to end their three game losing streak. Gametime is at 7:30 p.m. PT.
For more information on tonight’s game, visit Silver Screen and Roll.