The game was ugly, the Los Angeles Lakers were at times careless and sloppy with a season-high 27 turnovers, but the end result Sunday night at Staples Center was just what the doctor ordered. The Lakers held on to defeat the Memphis Grizzlies .90-82 on Sunday, winning their sixth straight home game.
The Lakers led by nine after the first quarter, led by 10 at halftime, and led by 10 points heading into the fourth quarter. The Grizzlies were able to cut the lead to as close as four points in the final period, but they never got any closer. The Lakers outrebounded Memphis 53-34 on the night, as Zach Randolph was indeed missed by the Grizzlies.
Kobe Bryant had 26 points and nine assists to lead the Lakers, who also got double-doubles out of all three of their starting front court. Andrew Bynum had 15 points and 15 rebounds, his sixth straight game with at least 12 rebounds this season. Pau Gasol had 13 points on just eight field goal attempts, and 15 rebounds, while Matt Barnes chipped in with 15 points and 10 rebounds in his second consecutive productive game at small forward.
Bynum and Gasol were the first Lakers teammates to each grab at least 15 rebounds in the same game since February 1, 2011, when Gasol had 16 rebounds and Lamar Odom had 20 in a win over the Houston Rockets.
Gasol got the best of his brother Marc Gasol, winning for the eighth time in 11 career matchups. Marc had 11 rebounds and seven assists on the night but scored just two points as he missed all nine field goal attempts.
The Lakers next host the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night at Staples Center.
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