Kobe Sits Again; Lakers Struggle Against Bulls, 113-93
- Updated: December 25, 2014
Dec 25, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Ronnie Price (9) dribbles the ball as Chicago Bulls guard Aaron Brooks (0) defends during the second quarter at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
The Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Chicago Bulls on Christmas Day, 113-93. Kobe Bryant sat out for the second straight game as the Lakers fell to 9-20 on the season.
The Los Angeles Lakers stunned the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night and looked to win two straight games without Kobe Bryant against the Chicago Bulls on Christmas Day.
Kobe Bryant sat out for the second straight game to get more rest – it was listed as “general body soreness.”
Per Baxter Holmes of ESPN:
Kobe asked for one reason why he’s sitting out tonight vs. Chicago: “Old age.”
— Baxter Holmes (@BaxterHolmes) December 25, 2014
The Lakers shot an abysmal 36% to start the game, though only trailing by three at the end of the 1st quarter, 27-24. Ed Davis was productive early, scoring five points and grabbing eight rebounds. In the 2nd quarter, the Bulls imposed their will on the defensive end towards the Lakers’ poor defense and pulled away for as many as 16 points. The Lakers shot 44% from the field to the Bulls’ 55%, for an 11-point deficit in the 1st half– 58-47.
The Lakers looked energized out the locker room and rallied on an 11-2 run to pull within two points. Jordan Hill and Wes Johnson took most part of the run, combining for 19 points in the third quarter. Pau Gasol, on the other end, scored 10 points in the 3rd quarter for a total of 21 points after three quarters. The Lakers were only down by six entering the final quarter, 83-77. In the 4th quarter, the Bulls’ second unit jumped out quick to balloon the lead to 11. The Lakers did not offer much resistance on the Bulls’ excellent defense and went on to lose the game, 113-93.
The Lakers shot 39% from the field and 31% from beyond the arc. They were outrebounded by a margin of 18, 57-39. Despite the poor shooting and rebounding performance, the Lakers only had four turnovers in the loss.
Wesley Johnson had a team-high 19 points for the Lakers, while also grabbing nine rebounds. Ed Davis posted his first double-double on the season, finishing with 13 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks. Former Bull Carlos Boozer had 14 points and five rebounds off the bench.
Former Laker Pau Gasol, who tweeted that it was going to be an emotional game for him, posted 23 points and 13 rebounds. The Bulls back court duo of Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler combined for 41 points and 11 assists to complement their new teammate.
The Lakers were on a first night of back-to-back games as they travel to Texas to face a new-look Dallas Mavericks tomorrow, 5:30PM PST.
Stay with us at Calisportsnews.com as we will keep you up-to-date on all things Los Angeles Lakers and the rest of the LA sports teams!
On behalf of the Calisports team we wish you a Happy Holidays!
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