Pre-Game Ramble: Lakers Vs. Wizards

The Lakers split their season series with Washington 1-1 last season for the second time in four years. This will be the 169th meeting between the two franchises with the Lakers leading the all time series 106-62. Over the past 30 years, the Lakers have only lost two series to Washington (1975-76;1-3 & 2004-05;0-2). Bryant's Los Angeles series record 55 points against Washington came against the Michael Jordan led Wizards in March of 2003 at Staples Center.

Starting Lineup for the Lakers: Vladimir Radmanovic, Luke Walton, Andrew Bynum, Smush Parker & Kobe Bryant.
Starting Lineup for the Wizards:
Antawn Jamison, Caron Butler, Brendan Haywood, Gilbert Arenas, DeShawn Stevenson.

Pre-Game Ramble: Lakers Vs. Spurs

The Lakers lost last season's series with San Antonio 1-3, their third series loss to the Spurs in the last four seasons. The Lakers snapped a series record seven game losing streak to the Spurs with a 100-92 victory at the AT&T Center on March 10, 2006, but they are 2-8 against San Antonio in last 10 games. Under head coach Phil Jackson, the Lakers are 10-14 against San Antonio. In the postseason, Jackson is 14-7 against the Spurs, advancing to the next round in three of the four series meetings.

Starting for the Lakers: Lamar Odom, Luke Walton, Andrew Bynum, Smush Parker and Kobe Bryant.

Starting for the Spurs: Tim Duncan, Bruce Bowen, Fabricio Oberto, Manu Ginobili & Tony Parker (although I have not seen him out on the court practicing before the game, unsure about his possible starting status) UPDATE (6:37): Parker plays; Ginobili does not-he is replaced by Michael Finley...

Lakers Stung By Hornets

Los Angeles trailed by only a basket at halftime, but couldn't keep pace late and took a 109-85 defeat from the visiting Hornets. Kobe Bryant shot 10-of-17 for 24 points in 36 minutes and Lamar Odom contributed 20 points, seven rebounds and four assists.

Pre-Game Ramble: Lakers vs. New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets

The Lakers Won the 2005-06 season with the Hornets 3-1 after sweeping the season series (3-0) with New Orleans the year before. The Lakers are 8-2 against the Hornets in their last 10 games overall and have won seven of eight including three in a row. The Lakers and Hornets took part in the city of New Orleans first professional sports game following Hurricane Katrina when they met at the New Orleans Arena March 8, 2006. The Lakers won that game 113-107 with 40 point from Kobe. Current Hornets head coach Byron Scott played 11 seasons for the Lakers and ranks among Laker career leaders in points (9th), minutes (6th), 3-PT FGM (3rd), FT% (8th) and steals (3rd).

Pre-Game Ramble: Lakers vs. Pacers

The Lakers split last season's series with the Pacers 1-1 for the tthird consecutive year. The Lakers have never lost to the Pacers at Staples Center snd have won their last seven in a row at home against Indiana. In their last meeting at Staples Center in January of 2006, Kobe Bryant scored a series record of 45 points against the Pacers, surpassing Magic Johnson's old record of 40 established against Indiana back on February 13, 1987. Both Bryant and Jermaine O'Neal entered the NBA straight from high school prior to the 1996- 97 season after both playing in the McDonald's All-American game.

A Great Birthday With Jerry Buss

My Best Birthday Ever: Celebrating with Lakers Owner Jerry Buss at Privilage Nightclub on Dec 1st

Bryant Scores Big

In the third quarter of the Lakers 132-102 victory over the Utah Jazz last night, Kobe Bryant scored 30 points on a 9 for 9 shooting from the field and 10 for 10 shooting from the foul line. Bryant's 30 point quarter tied his own franchise record last season in the third quarter of game on December 20th against Dallas where Bryant outscored the Mavericks 62-61 over three periods. The 30 point scoring blitz is tied for the 4th best period in all of NBA history. Only George Gervin (33) and David Thompson (32) on April 9, 1978 while chasing the scoring crown and Wilt Chamberlain (31) the night he scored 100 point have posted better quarters.

Bryant also made 19 out of 26 shots from the floor, including 11 in a row (spanning the second and third quarters), the longest streak of his career in a single game. The only player to sink 11 straight field goal attempts during an NBA game this season was San Antonio's Fabricio Oberto (11 for 11 on Nav. 8th vs. Phoenix).

Bryant's 19 for 26 from the field is the sixth time in his career that he has shot better than 73.1 percent from the field with a minimum of 20 field goals.

Bryant's 52 points was his first 50 plus point game of the season (12th career) and his highest point total since scoring 81 points on January 22, 2006 vs. Toronto (who doesn't remember that?) Last season, Bryant recorded six 50 plus point games, surpassing Elgin Baylor's franchise record of five which he acomplished in both the 1960-61 and 1961-62 seasons.