Lakers top Warriors, 101-77, in first game without Mike Brown
Lakers 101 - Warriors 77 (final)
The Lakers (2-4) got their most impressive, and second, win of the season Friday night over the Warriors (3-3). The Lakers shot just 40% from the field but did a tremendous job defensively.
Golden State struggled inside without Andrew Bogut (ankle) and defensively on the perimeter with no Brandon Rush (ACL) to check Kobe Bryant. The Lakers were once again without Steve Nash (leg).
Bryant led all scorers with 27 points on 10-18 shooting from the field. He nearly notched a triple-double with seven assists and nine boards.
Five Lakers scored in double-figures including Jordan Hill (14), Pau Gasol (14), Metta World Peace (10) and Darius Morris (10). Gasol led the team with 16 rebounds.
The Warriors hit just 33.7% from the field with 19 turnovers. The Lakers only turned over the ball 16 times, an improvement in their biggest area of weakness this season.
If Bernie Bickerstaff only coaches one game for the Lakers as interim-head coach, he would go into the record book with the best winning percentage in franchise history.
Lakers 72 - Warriors 55 (end of third quarter)
The Warriors stormed back with a strong third quarter, hitting shots and limiting the Lakers to two points in the first 3 1/ 2 minutes.
Instead of wilting, the Lakers responded with an offensive run to push the lead back to double-digits.
In what has been his best game as a Laker, Antawn Jamison got an ovation from the home crowd after blocking Richard Jefferson at the rim. Jamison has six points and five boards through three, which indicates his struggles to date.
Bryant leads all scorers with 22; Curry has 18 for the Warriors.
Lakers 47 - Warriors 38 (halftime)
The Lakers clamped down defensively on the Warriors in the second quarter. Golden State hit just five of 23 attempts (21.7%) for 16 points.
The Lakers continued to struggle to hit shots (37.8% for the game), but they limited turnovers to a reasonable number (seven). Turnovers have arguably been the team’s biggest weakness on offense this season.
Of the Lakers’ 17 baskets, 11 were assisted. L.A. is winning the battle on the boards (30-23).
Bryant and Curry were the leading scorers with 13 each.
Lakers 23 - Warriors 22 (end of first quarter)
The Lakers begin the post-Mike Brown era against the Warriors with poor shooting in the first quarter. Despite hitting only 33.3% from the field, the Lakers led most of the way, helped by a strong showing on the offensive glass.
Second-year point guard Darius Morris led the way for the Lakers with seven points. Forward Pau Gasol pitched in six points.
Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry each had seven for the Warriors.
The Lakers have had turnovers problems so far this season but they only gave it away three times through the first 12 minutes.
Jodie Meeks made a return to the rotation as the backup shooting guard with Devin Ebanks inactive (perhaps related to his recent arrest for an alleged DUI).
Pregame
The Lakers play their first game without former coach Mike Brown (let go Friday morning) at Staples Center against the Golden State Warriors. Assistant Bernie Bickerstaff will be the acting coach.
The Warriors have had a relatively strong 3-2 start to the season but visit without Andrew Bogut (ankle) and Brandon Rush (ACL). Steve Nash is still sidelined for the Lakers with a non-displaced leg fracture.
Given how poorly the Lakers have performed (1-4), the Brown firing should bring an added gravitas. The team’s lone victory was over the winless Detroit Pistons.
For a pre-Mike Brown take on the game, check out Preview: Lakers vs. Warriors.
ALSO:
Lakers fire Mike Brown as coach
All things Lakers, all the time.
Get all the Lakers news you need in Dan Woike's weekly newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
