SB Nation Los Angeles - Lakers Vs. Grizzlies: L.A. Has 2-Game Win Streak Snapped By Memphishttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48949/la-fave.png2012-03-27T16:33:44-07:00http://losangeles.sbnation.com/rss/stream/26652392012-03-27T16:33:44-07:002012-03-27T16:33:44-07:00Kobe Bryant Benching Incident: Lakers Coach Mike Brown Stands By Decision
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Los Angeles Lakers</a> suffered a painful loss against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/">Memphis Grizzlies</a> on Sunday, but the loss wasn't quite as significant as what happened off the court. Namely, the fact that shooting guard <span>Kobe Bryant</span> sat on the bench for the majority of the fourth quarter after being benched by head coach <span>Mike Brown</span>. Bryant didn't look all that pleased with the decision, and it figures that the decision would invite further scrutiny.<a target="_blank" href="http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/7743813/los-angeles-lakers-mike-brown-stands-kobe-bryant-substitution"> Dave McMenamin of ESPN Los Angeles files this report</a>.</p>
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<p>"I just decided to make the substitution," Brown said after the Lakers shootaround Tuesday in preparation for their game against the <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/team/_/name/gs/golden-state-warriors">Golden State Warriors</a>. "That was it. Nothing else. Is it easy now to sit back and say, 'Would you do it again?' Anybody can play Monday morning quarterback. But, at the time, I probably would have done it again if the same (situation) came up. Who knows? But, I made (the decision) and to me; that was it."</p>
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<p>Bryant has always had a historical issue with coaches, so it figures that this incident might be blown out of proportion. But it appears that Bryant isn't all that concerned here.</p>
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<p>"It's his decision to make," Bryant told reporters after the game. "He makes the decision. He's the coach. If you guys are looking for a story, I'm not going to give you one. I can't sit here and criticize his decisions. In leading this ballclub, that's something I can't afford to do. I got to have his back. I've had his back the whole season; I can't start doing something crazy now. It wouldn't make no sense."</p>
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<p>Now Brown and Bryant will have to work with each other to try and keep the team moving in the right direction.</p>
<p><i><b>To discuss the state of the Lakers, Bryant, and Coach Brown, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.silverscreenandroll.com">hit up Silver Screen and Roll</a>. <br></b></i></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-lakers/2012/3/27/2907126/kobe-bryant-mike-brown-lakersAvinash Kunnath2012-03-25T22:04:34-07:002012-03-25T22:04:34-07:00Lakers Vs. Grizzlies Final Score: Rudy Gay, Zach Randolph Lead Memphis To 102-96 Win
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<p><span>Rudy Gay</span> scored 18 points and <span>Zach Randolph</span> had 10 points and 12 rebounds to lead the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/">Memphis Grizzlies</a> to a 102-96 win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Los Angeles Lakers</a> on Sunday night at Staples Center. The loss snapped a two-game winning streak for the Lakers, who fell to 20-4 at home this season.</p>
<p>The Lakers fell behind by as many as 14 points in the third quarter, but then the period ended on a series of runs. The Lakers retook the lead thanks to a 15-0 lead punctuated by a <span>Ramon Sessions</span> three-pointer. However, Memphis immediately responded with an 8-0 run of their own. But the Lakers scored the last four points of the quarter to close to within three points. But Memphis outscored the Lakers 29-26 in the final period.</p>
<p><span>Andrew Bynum</span> scored 30 for the Lakers, but had a season-low four rebounds. <span>Kobe Bryant</span> scored 18 points and <span>Pau Gasol</span> had 16 points and 14 rebounds, but the pair combined to make just 11 of 30 shots (36.7%) from the field. As a team, the Lakers shot 42.5% on the night.</p>
<p>Bryant left the game at the 5:45 mark of the fourth quarter with the Lakers down 14, and didn't return until 1:51 remaining, with the Lakers down nine points.</p>
<p><span>O.J. Mayo</span> added 16 points off the bench for Memphis, who shot 51.2% on the night. The Grizzlies' bench outscored Lakers reserves 41-9.</p>
<p>The Lakers hit the road for a Tuesday battle in Oakland against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/">Golden State Warriors</a> before returning home for a four-game homestand.</p>
<p><i><b>For more news and information on Lakers basketball, be sure to read <a target="_blank" href="http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Silver Screen and Roll</a>.</b></i></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-lakers/2012/3/25/2902685/lakers-vs-grizzlies-final-score-rudy-gay-zach-randolph-andrew-bynumEric Stephen2012-03-25T20:41:21-07:002012-03-25T20:41:21-07:00Lakers Vs. Grizzlies Game Score: Rudy Gay Leads Memphis To Halftime Lead Over Andrew Bynum, L.A., 56-46
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<p><span>Rudy Gay</span> scored 13 points in the first half to lead the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/">Memphis Grizzlies</a> to a 56-46 lead over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Los Angeles Lakers</a> at halftime Sunday night at Staples Center. The Lakers have a two-game winning streak on the line and have beaten the Grizzlies in both of their prior matchups this season.</p>
<p><span>Andrew Bynum</span> led all scorers with 16 points, making six of his eight field goal attempts. <span>Pau Gasol</span> had eight points and eight rebounds, but made just two of 10 shots from the field for the Lakers, who shot 38.5% (15 for 39) in the opening half. <span>Ramon Sessions</span> added 11 points and three assists for the Lakers.</p>
<p><span>Kobe Bryant</span> had five points on 2-of-7 shooting for Los Angeles, who was outscored by Memphis 28-22 in the second quarter.</p>
<p><span class="sbn-auto-link">Mike Conely added 11 points and five assists for the Grizzlies in the first half. </span><span>Hamed Haddadi</span> had six points and five rebouunds off the bench for the Grizzlies, who shot 50% (24 for 48) in the opening half. Memphis has lost three straight games and five of their last six contests.</p>
<p><i><b>For more news and information on Lakers basketball, be sure to read <a target="_blank" href="http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Silver Screen and Roll</a>.</b></i></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-lakers/2012/3/25/2902531/lakers-vs-grizzlies-game-score-rudy-gay-andrwe-bynum-halftimeEric Stephen2012-03-25T08:05:59-07:002012-03-25T08:05:59-07:00Lakers Vs. Grizzlies Game Preview: Ramon Sessions, Kobe Bryant Seek Third Straight Win
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Los Angeles Lakers</a> look for their third straight victory on Sunday night as they host the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/">Memphis Grizzlies</a> at Staples Center. This is the third and final meeting this season between the two teams. The Lakers have beaten Memphis three straight times, including both matchups this season.</p>
<p><span>Ramon Sessions</span> has made quite an impact on the Lakers in just five games. After scoring 100 points just 11 times in 43 games before he arrived, the Lakers have topped the century mark in their last three contests and are averaging 102.4 points per game with Sessions. After four games coming off the bench, Sessions joined the starting unit in Friday's win over Portland and Sessions had 20 points and 11 assists in 36 minutes.</p>
<p>The arrival of Sessions has helped the offense at a time when <span>Kobe Bryant</span> is struggling. The shooting guard is shooting just 37.3% in the five games he has played with sessions and has shot 37.9% over his last 12 games. But the NBA scoring leader is still getting to the foul line, averaging eight free throw attempts per game on the season, <a target="_blank" href="http://bkref.com/pi/shareit/b0ay0">fourth in the league</a>, and he has made 80 of his last 87 free throws (92.0%).</p>
<p><span>Pau Gasol</span> is coming off a 16-rebound game against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blazersedge.com/">Trail Blazers</a>, and gets to match up with his brother <span>Marc Gasol</span> Sunday night. In two battles this season, the older brother Pau has averaged 13.5 points and 10.0 rebounds per game in two wins over Marc, who has averaged 11.0 points and 11.0 rebounds against the Lakers.</p>
<p>Memphis has lost three straight games and five of their last six contests.</p>
<p><i><b>For more news and information on Lakers basketball, be sure to read <a target="_blank" href="http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Silver Screen and Roll</a>.</b></i></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-lakers/2012/3/25/2901206/lakers-vs-grizzlies-game-preview-ramon-sessions-kobe-bryantEric Stephen2012-03-25T05:56:51-07:002012-03-25T05:56:51-07:00NBA Standings 2012: Lakers Hold 3-Game Lead In Pacific Division
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Los Angeles Lakers</a> have won seven of their last nine games, and have surged into the lead the Pacific Division. Thanks in part to a brutal stretch by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Los Angeles Clippers</a>, the Lakers have a three-game lead over their crosstown rivals. Here is an updated look at the NBA standings:</p>
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<table align="center" border="1">
<tbody>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffcc">
<td colspan="6" align="center"><b>NBA Pacific Division Standings</b></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffcc">
<td width="100"><b>Team </b></td>
<td align="center" width="50"><b>Record</b></td>
<td align="center" width="50"><b>Pct </b></td>
<td align="center" width="50"><b>GB </b></td>
<td align="center" width="80"><b>Last Week</b></td>
<td width="175"><b> Next Week </b></td>
</tr>
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<td>LA Lakers</td>
<td align="center">30-18</td>
<td align="center">.625</td>
<td align="center">---</td>
<td align="center">2-1</td>
<td> Mem, at GS, OKC, NO, GS</td>
</tr>
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<td>LA Clippers<br>
</td>
<td align="center">27-21</td>
<td align="center">.562</td>
<td align="center">3</td>
<td align="center">1-3</td>
<td> NO, Pho, Por, Uta</td>
</tr>
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<td>Phoenix</td>
<td align="center">24-24</td>
<td align="center">.500</td>
<td align="center">6</td>
<td align="center">1-2</td>
<td> at Cle, SA, at LAC, NO</td>
</tr>
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<td>Golden State</td>
<td align="center">20-26</td>
<td align="center">.435</td>
<td align="center">9</td>
<td align="center">2-2</td>
<td> LAL, NO, NJ, at LAL</td>
</tr>
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<td>Sacramento</td>
<td align="center">17-31</td>
<td align="center">.354</td>
<td align="center">13</td>
<td align="center">1-2</td>
<td> at Hou, SA, at Uta, NJ</td>
</tr>
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<td colspan="6"><i>Through games of March 24<br></i></td>
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</tbody>
</table>
<p>The Lakers have 10 home games and eight road contest remaining, while the Clippers are evenly split at 9-9. The two teams face off on April 4, a designated home game for the Clippers.</p>
<p><i><b>For more news and information on Lakers basketball, be sure to read <a target="_blank" href="http://www.silverscreenandroll.com">Silver Screen and Roll</a>.</b></i></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-lakers/2012/3/25/2901048/2012-nba-standings-los-angeles-lakersEric Stephen