Pau Looks Powerful In His Return; Lakers Slaughter Bulls 108-93

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA Game Recap

Los Angeles Lakers All-Star big man Pau Gasol made his season debut Thursday night and looked in mid-season form recording a double-double including a game high 24 points as the Lakers punished the Chicago Bulls 108-93. Gasol missed the last six preseason games as well as the first 11 games of the regular season after suffering a strained right hamstring; however he showed no rust and there did not seem to be any adjustment time for the player or the team. Los Angeles guard and the other All-Star on the club Kobe Bryant added 21 points while Chicago point guard Derrick Rose led his team with 20 points.

The Lakers dominated from the opening quarter and had the game wrapped up in the third. Los Angeles would hold a 25-19 advantage at the end of the first. The fans at the Staples Center would be even more pleased in the second as their team nearly doubled their lead and would head into the locker room at the half on top 53-42.

If there was any doubt left of who would win this game Los Angeles would eliminate it in the third as the Bulls never got within single digits at any time during the quarter. As the two teams began the final 12 minutes of play the Lakers lead was pretty close to insurmountable with the score at 84-67. Chicago never came close to threatening in the fourth.

Pau Gasol celebrated his return to duty with a double-double as he scored 24 points, 13 boards, 3 assists and 1 block while Kobe Bryant added 21 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists and 1 block. Ron Artest had 15 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals while Derek Fisher had his best offensive night in a while as he put 12 points on the scoreboard, 2 assists, 2 rebounds and 1 steal. Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom each scored 11 points in the victory.

Derrick Rose led the Bulls with 20 points 6 assists, 1 rebound and 1 steal while John Salmons had 18 points, 3 assists and 2 rebounds. Brad Miller came off the bench with 15 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals while Joakim Noah recorded a double-double as he scored 12 points, 15 boards, 4 assists, 4 steals and 2 blocks. Los Angeles improves to 9-3 and will host the OKC Thunder on Sunday. Chicago drops to 6-5 and will travel to Denver Saturday and take on the Nuggets.

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