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Rockets suffer second loss without McGrady; Yao had 17
(AP)
Updated: 2005-11-09 14:09
Lakers spoil Hawks' home opener
Los Angeles Lakers'
Kobe Bryant drives to the basket as Atlanta Hawks' Josh Childress defends
in the first quarter in Atlanta, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2005.
[Reuters] | ATLANTA - Kobe Bryant scored 37
points, including two drives to spark a 14-2 second-half run, and the Los
Angeles Lakers spoiled Atlanta's home opener, beating the Hawks 103-97 on
Tuesday night.
Bryant topped the 30-point mark for the fourth straight game and had 37 for
the second straight game — right on his NBA-best average of 36.3.
On a night the Philips Arena game clock and shot clock rarely worked, the
public address announcer had to call out the scores. After a close first half,
Hawks fans didn't like what they heard.
Atlanta, sparked by Joe Johnson's season-high 26 points, led 29-19 in the
first quarter and 51-48 at halftime. But following the last tie at 63, Bryant
scored on back-to-back drives to send the Lakers on the run that made it 77-65.
The Lakers kept the lead in double figures most of the rest of the game until
the Hawks closed the gap late with Bryant on the bench.
With 7:54 to play, Bryant scored on a breakaway jam, drawing a foul from
Hawks rookie Marvin Williams, to give him 37 points. With the Lakers' lead at 12
points, Bryant sat out most of the final seven minutes.
Lakers guard Smush Parker continued his strong start with 21 points, 13 in
the third quarter. Parker has scored 20 or more points in three of the Lakers'
four games. Lamar Odom added 13 points and 11 rebounds, and Devean George had 12
points.
Al Harrington returned after missing two games with an ankle injury to get 18
points and 10 rebounds for Atlanta. Tyronn Lue and Zaza Pachulia each had 13
points.
The Hawks, 0-4 for the second straight year, are coming off a franchise-worst
13-win season.
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