Kobe Bryant scores 20 as the Los Angeles Lakers defeat the Atlanta Hawks 104-80
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Atlanta Hawks 104-80 on Tuesday night at Staples Centre, Los Angeles. After winning the All-Star MVP award on Sunday night, Kobe Bryant didn’t let the aggression go away and pounded 20 points to provide a winning start to the second half of the season.
Lakers led the first quarter quite comprehensively 28-15. Derek Fisher put the first points on board and the rest of the cast followed as the Lakers raced to an eight point unanswered run. Kobe and Fisher contributed 6 points each in the first quarter while Hawks centre Al Horford also scored 6 points.
Lakers kept going with the same momentum in the second section. Lamar Odom added 7 points in the second frame as the Laker finished the first half leading by 54-33. Joe Johnson scored 6 points for the Hawks in the second quarter.
At the close of first half, Al Horford made 9 points, had 3 rebounds and 1 steal for the Hawks. For the Lakers, Pau Gasol contributed the 8 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal and 1 block. The Lakers made 54 percent field goals while Hawks have made only 32 percent field goals in the first half.
Hawks came out with a new plan in the third segment and tried to hold up the Lakers’ attack in which they succeeded to some extent early on. However, their own attack was lame and when Kobe Bryant came alive midway; the game was all but over. Kobe made 12 points as the Lakers led another quarter with an extended lead 54-80.
Staring at a huge deficit, the Hawks scored more points than the Lakers in the fourth quarter. The Lakers were never threatened though and they finished the game at 104-80. Devin Ebanks was the leading scorer in the fourth part for the Lakers with 8 points.
Kobe finished the game with 20 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assist and 2 steals while Shannon Brown added 15 points. Joe Johnson was the top scorer for the Hawks with 14 points and centre Horford added 13 points.
Tags: