Woes be gone...

Orlando, FL

The Los Angeles Lakers did something yesterday they haven't done all year long. They lost for consecutive times. The Lakers now 21-5, lost 106-103 to the Magic (21-6). In the second night of a back to back, the Lakers failed to finish again. A solid effort, was not lacking this time. For the second time in as many nights the Lakers lost the game on missed shots at the buzzer. The problems for LA started more closely to the beginning than the end, however. Early in the game, 65 seconds early, Andrew Bynum had already picked up his second foul. Bynum ended the game with 5 fouls, 3 points, and only 2 rebounds. This was to be a big test for the young center, matching up with one of the leagues most prominent big men. Bynum failed miserably. Dwight Howard was also in foul trouble early, only playing nine first half minutes. When it was all said and done though, the all-star had a double-double. Howard finished strong with 12 boards and 18 points, none bigger than his two made free throws with 3.5 seconds left in the 4th. Lakers fans are counting on Bynum learning to play with some poise and still be productive after early fouls. He had plenty of bench time to watch and learn Saturday.

Not all the Lakers played poorly, just most of them. Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher both had season highs in minutes, 43 and 41 respectively and points, 41 and 27. It's unfortunate that with 68 back court points a team still falls short in the end. Phil Jackson was tasked with looking for the problem. What he found was 15 points combined from Bynum, Ariza, Walton, Vujacic, and Odom. That's an average of three points each, Vujacic had none. Sasha missed all six shots from the field including one that went down and then somehow rimmed back out. That particular shot would have given the Lakers a two point lead with 3 seconds to go. A familiar scene, gut wrenching to watch after Bryant's shot went down and was regurgitated back up by another Florida rim the night before. 

Orlando's  Jameer Nelson had 27 and Rashard Lewis added 22 of his own. The Magic are having a very good week. They beat another Western Conference contender in San Antonio on Thursday. At 21-6 Jeff Van Gundy's team is trying to make a statement that they belong in the mix of NBA championship contenders. The Magic have the fourth best record in the league at this early juncture. Coach Van Gundy spoke up after the game. "It's hard for me for anyone to make a case the Lakers had a bad game." he said. He expressed his feelings on beating a Lakers team playing their best basketball. "I'm not trying to lie to you. It feels good in perspective. But it counts as one (victory)," he added.  

The Lakers got a day of to watch football and presumably get some practice in. The 4 game road trip continues Monday night in Memphis. Pau Gasol will play his former team in Memphis for the first time since the trade heard around the basketball world. His little brother Marc is playing well for the Grizzlies who are giving away free T-shirts to the first 5,000 fans in attendance Monday. Nothing like the Lakers coming to town to get that sell-out. Tuesday night will be a difficult matchup with Chris Paul and the New Orleans Hornets. It will be the second night of a back to back, and LA will be looking to build some momentum before coming home. The Boston Celtics come to Staples center for the highly anticipated Christmas Day rematch of last years NBA Finals. The Lakers are without gaurd Jordan Farmar. In an MRI conducted Saturday in Orlando, a tear in his lateral meniscus was found. Sunday he was flown back to Los Angeles to undergo further testing before a timetable could be set.