Clips Fall to Charlotte

The Los Angeles Clippers fell to the Charlotte Bobcats 94-73, finishing their road trip with a 2-5 record. The Clips only managed a shooting percentage of 39%, while the 'Cats shot 59%. LA also went 3-for-16 from three-point range. Emeka Okafor led Charlotte with 19 points and 16 rebounds, and D.J. Augustin scored 17. Vladimir Radmanovic enjoyed his first game with the Bobcats after being traded by the Lakers, scoring 13 points off the bench. Zach Randolph had a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds, and Eric Gordon added 17 points. Steve Novak was the only other Clipper to score in double-figures with 13 points.

Lakers Acquire Morrison for Radmanovic

The Los Angeles Lakers traded forward Vladimir Radmanovic to the Charlotte Bobcats for forward Adam Morrison (above) and guard Shannon Brown. Radmanovic began the season as a starter, but was relegated to the bench so Luke Walton could start. Since then he has had low minutes, including staying on the bench in Thursday's victory over Boston for the entire game. Radmanovic averaged about 6 points and 2.5 rebounds per game. Morrison has struggled with the Bobcats, averaging just 4.5 points while shooting 36%. Brown has played very few minutes with Charlotte, and has averaged 4.5 points per game as well. Both Morrison and Brown will not be available for Sunday's game against Cleveland.

Lakers Push Past Problems Against Houston

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Houston Rockets 105-100, improving to 31-6. The Lakers had a rough time containing the Rockets in the first half, surrendering a shooting percentage above 60%. Houston finished shooting 53%, while LA shot 50.6%. The Lakers committed only 7 turnovers, and outscored Houston 27-18 in the fourth quarter. Houston was without Ron Artest and Tracy McGrady, but other players picked up the slack. Yao Ming had 19 points with 17 rebounds, and Von Wafer scored 23 points, shooting 13-for-18, including 3-pointers. Carl Landry came off the bench and scored 21 points for the Rockets, a season-high. Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 33 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists, despite shooting 13-for-32 with 1 3-pointer. Lamar Odom returned, replacing Sasha Vujacic who did not travel to Texas due to back spasms. Odom had 10 points and 1 blocked shot off the bench. Vladimir Radmanovic scored 12 points and snagged 6 rebounds, and hit both of his 3-point attempts. Trevor Ariza came off the bench to score 14 points.

Lakers Stand Through Miami

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Miami Heat, avenging the loss to the Heat in mid-December and improving to 30-6. The Lakers, still without Lamar Odom, saw six players hit double-figures, including all 5 starters. Andrew Bynum led LA with 24 points, including a clutch tip-in at the end of the fourth quarter to break a 102-all tie. Kobe Bryant had 19 points with 7 assists, and Vladimir Radmanovic scored a season-high 18 points. Pau Gasol had 14 points and 18 rebounds, and Derek Fisher snagged 13 points to with 11 assists. Sasha Vujacic came off the bench to score 10 points. Dwyane Wade scored a game-high 27 points to go with 9 assists for the Heat, and Michael Beasley had 24 points.

Lakers Avoid Repeat Loss

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Indiana Pacers 121-119, avenging their last second loss to the Pacers in early December. Indiana tied the score when Mike Dunleavy, Jr. knocked down a 3-pointer with 26.4 seconds left, but Kobe Bryant hit a fall-away jump-shot with 3 seconds left to get the win. Defense took a night off as the Lakers shot .564 from inside the arc, while Indiana shot .488 to go with 11 3-pointers. Each team committed 13 turnovers, while Trevor Ariza, Vladimir Radmanovic, and Indian's Troy Murphy were each hit with technical fouls in the 4th quarter. Bryant led the game with 36 points and a season-high 13 assists, as well as 7 rebounds. Andrew Bynum had 20 points, and Pau Gasol had 21 with 11 rebounds. Josh Powell had his best game of the season off the bench, scoring 10 points. Danny Granger led the Pacers with 28 points, but fouled out with the game on the line. Murphy scored 24 points and Dunleavy had 22.

Lakers Stay Hot For Portland

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 100-86, improving their winning streak to 6 games and their record to 27-5. The Lakers trailed 25-17 after the first quarter, but outscored Portland 62-41 in the next two quarters. LA had a .493 shooting percentage, while holding the Blazers to just 39% shooting. LA also committed 12 turnovers in the first half, but they were converted for only 12 points. Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 26 points, and Pau Gasol scored 19 points to go with 5 rebounds. Trevor Ariza started for Luke Walton, who will be sidelined for a period of time with a foot injury. Vladimir Radmanovic had a season-high 16 points with his new-found playing time. LaMarcus Aldridge scored 22 points to lead the Blazers, who were without top-scorer Brandon Roy.

Lakers Avenge Upset

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Sacramento Kings 112-103, gaining redemption from their upset loss to the Kings on Tuesday. The Lakers still played very sloppy basketball, and gave Sacramento too many chances to get back in the game, with the lead at one point being cut to just 3 points. Luke Walton had a rare start, replacing Vladimir Radmanovic, and scored 4 points with a season-high 8 assists. Kobe Bryant sizzled with 32 points and 7 rebounds, and Pau Gasol contributed with 18 points and 11 boards. John Salmons led the Kings with 26 points.

Lakers Hit Rebound Against Sixers

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Philidelphia 76ers 114-102 after having lost to Indiana the night before. LA shot .581 from inside the arch, and had 7 steals. Kobe Bryant had 33 impresive points in his homecoming, and Pau Gasol had 22 points, 13 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Vladimir Radmanovic had 11 points in the first half. Andre Miller led Philly with 26 points and 5 assists.

Lakers Deliver Royal Pounding

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated their rival Sacramento Kings 118-108 for LA's 11th win. All five of the Lakers starters had double digits: Kobe Bryant led with 24 points and 6 assists, followed by Pau Gasol with 16 points and 7 rebounds, Andrew Bynum with 15 points and 10 boards, Vladimir Radmanovic with 12 points (all from 3-pointers), and Derek Fisher gave 10 points. Lamar Odom had 14 points and 7 rebounds off the bench. John Salmons led the Kings with 24 points.

Lakers Eclipse Suns

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Phoenix Suns 105-92, making a statement over their division rivals. Kobe Bryant led LA with 24 points, but Vladimir Radmanovic stole the show with 15 points, all coming on 5 three-pointers. Lamar Odom gave the Lakers 13 points, and Pau Gasol had a quiet night with only 4 points, but 9 rebounds and 9 assists. Amare Stoudemire led the Suns with 21 points. The Lakers, with a 9-1 record, play Denver next.