LA Lakers (3-2) at Philadelphia (2-3)
Preview - Box Score - Recap
Game Info: 8:00 pm EST Fri Nov 11, 2005
TV: ESPN, CSNt Add to Calendar
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Frustrated by his latest performance, Kobe Bryant will try to get the Los Angeles Lakers back on track in his hometown when they visit the Philadelphia 76ers.

Bryant, the NBA's leading scorer at nearly 35 points per game, was coming off consecutive 37-point efforts before being slowed down in Wednesday's 88-74 setback to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The All-Star shooting guard finished with a season-low 28 points -- the first time in five games he failed to reach 30 -- and was a non-factor in the fourth quarter when Minnesota pulled away.

Lamar Odom scored 15 points and Kwame Brown added 10 for Los Angeles, which was clearly without a second scoring option once the Timberwolves figured out a way to shut Bryant down.

``We had mental lapses in the fourth quarter,'' said Bryant, who went 0-for-5 from the floor over the final 12 minutes. ``It comes from us not playing together for a long time. It comes from inexperience.''

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Bryant, a standout at suburban Lower Merion High School, has enjoyed his share of big moments against the Sixers, leading the Lakers to an NBA le-clinching win in Philadelphia in 2001 and capturing the All-Star Game MVP there in 2002.

After an 0-3 start, the Sixers have posted consecutive wins, including Wednesday's 112-97 home win over Dallas. Philadelphia used a balanced attack with Allen Iverson scoring a team-high 25 points, followed by a career-high 22 from Andre Iguodala and 20 from Kyle Korver.

Chris Webber, finding his niche in the Sixers' offense after struggling at the end of last season following a trade from Sacramento, added 19 points and 11 rebounds.

``That was probably the best basketball we've played all year,'' Korver said.

John Salmons, Lee Nailon and James Thomas combined for 22 points and 13 rebounds off the bench, giving Philadelphia the late boost it needed to pull out the win.

``Everybody who came in the game did a heck of a job,'' Sixers coach Maurice Cheeks said.

Los Angeles has dropped five straight regular-season games at Philadelphia.

STANDINGS (through Nov. 10): Lakers - 2nd place (tied), 1 1/2 GB, Pacific Division. 76ers - 3rd place, 1 GB, Atlantic Division.

PROBABLE STARTERS: Lakers - F Odom, F Brown, C Chris Mihm, G Bryant, G Smush Parker. 76ers - F Korver, F Webber, C Steven Hunter, G Iguodala, G Iverson.

TEAM LEADERS: Lakers - Bryant, 34.8 ppg; Odom, 10.0 rpg and 5.6 apg. 76ers - Iverson, 29.8 ppg and 7.8 apg; Webber, 10.0 rpg.

2004-05 SEASON SERIES: Sixers, 2-0.

LAST MEETING: March 27, 2005; Sixers 96-89. At Los Angeles, the Sixers scored 25 points off 27 turnovers and used a 22-9 edge on fast-break points to get the road win. Bryant led all scorers with 34 points.

ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Lakers - 2-1 on the road; 76ers - 1-2 at home.

Updated on Friday, Nov 11, 2005 7:28 am EST

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Team Comparison
Team Record Standings PF PA Road/Home Streak L10
LA Lakers 3-2 2nd Pacific / 6th West 100.0 99.2 Road 2-1 Lost 1 3-2
Philadelphia 2-3 3rd Atlantic / 11th East 102.4 108.2 Home 1-2 Won 2 2-3
LA Lakers Notes
Nov 9 The Lakers finally had their offensive attack slowed in Wednesday's loss, scoring 32.5 points below their average. G Kobe Bryant scored a season-low 28 points after recording at least 33 in his first four games and G Smush Parker, who had at least 20 in three of his first four outings, was held scoreless on 0-of-4 shooting. ... Rookie C Andrew Bynum, the 10th overall pick, has yet to score in 15 minutes this season. ... F-C Kwame Brown had his best effort with Los Angeles, recording season highs with 10 points and 13 rebounds.

Philadelphia Notes
Nov 10 G Andre Iguodala scored 22 points, matching a career high done twice previously. Iguodala made 7-of-11 shots and added seven rebounds and five assists. ... For the first time this season, Philadelphia outrebounded its opponent, winning the battle of the boards, 43-36. ... The 76ers committed 13 turnovers, which actually raised their average. They came into the game leading the league in fewest turnovers at less than 12 per game. ... F Kyle Korver's shooting slump is over. Korver drained 9-of-11 shots, including 7-of-7 from inside the arc, normally not his specialty.