=== Los Angeles Lakers Team Report - December 26 === (My Sportsbook) - The Los Angeles Lakers dropped their second straight contest on Thursday with a 99-87 setback to the Houston Rockets at the Staples Center. Kobe Bryant paced the Lakers with 23 points while Shaquille O'Neal totaled 22 points and 10 rebounds, as Los Angeles has lost two straight and four of its last six games overall. Gary Payton put up 13 points and dished out seven assists in the losing effort. The Lakers played without forward Karl Malone, who missed the contest with a knee injury. The future Hall-of-Famer is expected to miss at least one more game before a possible return to the lineup for the Lakers' January 2 matchup against Seattle. The Rockets seemed to be in trouble when Yao Ming left the floor with five fouls and the game tied at 77-77 with over nine minutes to go in regulation. However, with Yao out of the game, O'Neal could not capitalize in the paint. Houston went on a 13-3 run over the next seven-plus minutes, including a lengthy span when they held the Lakers scoreless, to take a 90-80 lead and put the game away. Cuttino Mobley posted five points during the spurt with Maurice Taylor and Steve Francis chipping in four. Los Angeles never seriously threatened the rest of the way, due in part to the stingy Rockets' team defense, and Houston cruised to the 12-point victory. The Lakers return to the court on Sunday against the Boston Celtics. |
