Kobe Bryant outdid his Christmas Day performance with 29 points, but the Lakers lost their second straight game to start the season, falling in Sacramento 100-91.
Kobe was 10 of 24 shooting and 9 of 10 from the free-throw line, yet missed all four of his tries from deep, in a game where the Lakers could not make a shot from long range — going 1-16 from three-point distance.
Although they had 13 more shot attempts than the Kings, due to crashing the boards on the offensive glass, they could not keep up with the blistering backcourt of Marcus Thornton and Tyreke Evans — who combined for 47 points on only 26 shots.
The Kings were efficient — 9 of 18 from beyond the arc — and explosive — scoring 19 fast break points.
This despite missing 14 shots (21-35) from the charity stripe. Still, it wasn’t a daunting obstacle to slow down the high-flying Kings, and ultimately, nothing the Lakers could take fully advantage of.
For the Kings, it was an all-around well-balanced effort as they received contributions from new pieces.
Chuck Hayes and Travis Outlaw both had game-high +11 differentials, with Hayes providing 27 productive minutes in his Kings’ debut — garnering nine points, seven rebounds, three assists and three blocked shots. In only his first game, the former Rocket has already been called the “Glue” guy of the team by coach Paul Westphal.
As for rookie guards Jimmer Fredette and Isaiah Thomas, they combined for 11 points and five assists.
Lastly, John Salmons, who was acquired from Milwaukee in a three-way draft day trade with Charlotte, hit three triples for 13 points in 35 minutes of action in his return to Sacramento.
In the end, outside of Kobe, Pau Gasol and Metta World Peace — the Lakers’ supporting cast shot 12 of 38 for only 28 points.
I guess Andrew Bynum, who will return from his four-game suspension on New Year’s Eve at home against Denver, has been sorely missed for a Lakers team lacking shot makers — something the Kings know nothing about.
Lakers Next Game: Tonight vs. Utah Jazz, 7:30 PT.
Kings Next game: Tonight at Portland Trail Blazers, 7 PT.


December 27th, 2011
Russ Loede
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