Philippines, 13 Feb 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Lakers suffer another costly meltdown


PhilBoxing.com




SAN FRANCISCO --- Ahead by 16 points midway through the third quarter and up 92-81 with 7:20 left in the final period, the Los Angeles Lakers appeared well on their way to a solid road victory that would have pushed them to a 9-9 record in an extremely trying season.

But for the second time in as many games, the manpower-depleted Lakers suffered a massive meltdown, this time losing to the Houston Rockets, who scored a slim 107-105 decision Tuesday night at the Toyota Center in Houston.

Los Angeles, which played without point guards Steve Nash and Steve Blake, also didn't have Pau Gasol (knee tendinits) in the lineup. Nash has began working out after missing his 15th outing of the season but there is no definitive word yet on his comeback. Blake, meanwhile, will require abdominal surgery which will sideline him for four to six weeks.

Just like in their 113-103 loss to the Orlando Magic last Sunday night, the Lakers couldn't stop the Rockets from scoring in the final 12 minutes. Houston overhauled a double-digit deficit by outscoring L.A., 34-22, in the final period.

Reserves Toney Douglas and Greg Smith spearheaded the attack that bailed out the Rockets. The 6-foot-2 Douglas finished with 22 points while the 6-foot-10 Greg Smith, a lightly-used power forward, tallied 21. James Harden only had 15 points on an off night but he gathered ten rebounds and dished six assists. Jeremy Lin chalked four points, three assists and two turnovers.

Amazingly, the Rockets won despite making only 37.6 percent of their shots and 20.6 percent of their attempts beyond the three-point line. Houston, which has had its struggles early on, climbed one game over the .500 mark with a 9-8 slate for third place overall in the Southwest Division behind the 13-3 Memphis Grizzlies and the 14-4 San Antonio Spurs.

Kobe Bryant tried to carry the Lakers on his back and avert an upset. He scored 39 points but the team captain finished just 14 of 31 from the field and he missed seven of nine triples. Dwight Howard and Antawn Jamison were a decen 10-for-20 from the field for a combined 31 points but the rest of the Lakers provided inadequate scoring support. (Joan Secuya-Medida)


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joan Secuya-Medida.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Filipinos Vitor and Tapales Take on Russians for IBF Asia Titles in Moscow Today
    By Dong Secuya, , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao Promotions Returns to Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. with a Pair of World Championship Bouts
    , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • IOAN CROFT AND GARAN CROFT SIGN FOR MATCHROOM BOXING AS EDDIE HEARN LOOKS AHEAD TO BRIGHT FUTURE FOR EXCITING WELSH TWINS
    , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • 3 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • Day One Concludes at 2026 USA Boxing International Open
    , Thu, 12 Feb 2026
  • Female Boxing GOAT Katie Taylor to be Special guest at All-N.E. Golden Gloves Thursday, Feb. 12, in Lowell, MA
    , Thu, 12 Feb 2026
  • Brandon McCarthy Signs with Wise Owl Boxing, Set to Make Noise at 135 lbs
    , Thu, 12 Feb 2026
  • Filipino Boxers Set for Action on Valentine's Day in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Oklahoma Outplays LA Lakers, 119-110; Arrests Skid to Hold on to League Lead
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Malaya Vibrations to play gig at 5th MFPI Mindanao Summit
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Fight of the Night in Thailand: Ador Torres and Sairike Tuolewutayi Battle to a Thrilling Draw
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Young Australian Benji Birchell Claims Title Win in Thailand
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Tickets for the Inaugural “Mike Tyson Invitational” Amateur Fight Night on Saturday, March 14, in Las Vegas Are on Sale Now
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Men's Elite High Performance Team and Squad Rosters Announced
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • IIEE, SAEP shared lead, PIChE won 3rd in a row in the PTC WED NEMO Chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • The Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo RETURNS! Saturday May 2, 2026 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 9 FEBRUARY 2026: Figueroa Stops Ball in 12; Medina Outpoints Curiel; Asanau, Unal Win in Montreal
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Paradero gets a rematch against Francisco
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Carcedo wins WBA Asia South super welterweight title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Shark attack in Florida Marco “El Tiburón” Romero Making waves on Feb. 19
    , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • 19-1 Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga returns on February 21 to Atlantic City
    , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Women's Team and Squad Rosters Announced
    , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Filipino child prodigy Asher Judd Sy tops the 3rd King’s College Bangkok Chess Championship
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Chaos in Liverpool: Figueroa Silences Echo Arena with 12th-Round Fireworks
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 08 Feb 2026
  • Gabriel Santisima Stuns Unbeaten World Ranked and WBO Asia Pacific Champion Subaru Murata to Capture WBO Asia Pacific Title at Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
    , Sun, 08 Feb 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.