Philippines, 14 Oct 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Lakers unmask Heat's lack of size


PhilBoxing.com




LOS ANGELES -- A week after sustaining a broken nose at the All-Star Game in Orlando, Kobe Bryant continues to wear a protective facial gear as he and the Lakers toil through the second half of this lockout-shortened NBA season.

And as it turned out Sunday afternoon here at the Staples Center here in downtown L.A., neither mask nor the Miami Heat could stop the Black Mamba.

Bryant insisted he had no ax to grind against the Heat, whose star Dwyane Wade broke his nose on an uncharacteristic hard foul last Sunday. But Kobe played with some extra sauce in this one, scoring 33 points to lead the Lakers past Miami, 93-83.

Kobe made 14 of 23 shots and went 8 of 10 for 16 points in the opening quarter, allowing the Lakers to control the game early and often. In his third 30-plus points performance in three games, Kobe also had 7 rebounds and swished 5-of-7 free throws.

Chris Bosh, a vital piece of Miami's Big 3, attended his grandmother's funeral and didn't suit up for the game. And without the 6-foot-11 power forward, the Heat struggled miserably to contain the Lakers' bigs -- 7-footers Andrew Bynum and Paul Gasol.

Bynum and Gasol combined for 27 points and 23 rebounds as they imposed their collective might in the paint. In sharp contrast, Miami's big men, Joel Anthony and Udonis Haslem, only pooled seven points and 6 rebounds between them.

There was no shortage of firepower from the Lakers, who drilled 35 of 71 field goals and got 17 points from the forward formerly known as Ron Artest --- Metta World Peace. LA had only 19 assists to Miami's 22, but the Lakers won the rebounding battle, 44-35.

LeBron James filled the stats sheets with another MVP-like effort -- 25 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists. But Miami, as a team, were an awful 33 of 88 from the field (37.5 percent). The Heat sank just 7 of 24 three-point shots and they bungled 5 of 15 free throws.

Wade fouled out in the final 5:14 of play with the Lakers nursing a 79-72 bulge. Wade turned in a more than decent output of 16 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists.

On the crest of a three-game winning streak, the LA Lakers now lead the Pacific Division with a 23-14 slate. a mere half-a-game lead over the retooled and suddenly very good LA Clippers (21-13).

After stringing together nine straight wins, the Heat lost its second in a row and fell to 28-9 in the tough Eastern Conference led by the streaking 30-8 Chicago Bulls.(NVR)


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Nicholai R. Roska.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Jesse Espinas Victorious, New IBF Asia Champion
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • Naseem Hamed Update
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • Kiddie Chess Tournament Goes to Farmers Plaza
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • Manny Pacquiao vs. Rolly Romero in January 2026? Boxing Legend Eyes One More Run at Glory
    By Dong Secuya, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • 11 martial arts in BP 2025
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • NM Medina beats Slovak GM, draws with FM Castellano to win the 8th AQ Prime FIDE Standard Open Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • “The Wonder Boy” Carl Jammes Martin Ready to Shine October 29 at the 50th Anniversary of the Thrilla in Manila (Analysis)
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 19: JOE FRAZIER FIGHTS ALI, QUARRY AND ELLIS AGAIN
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • Berchelt captures "Reynosa" WBC commemorative belt after triumphant return
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • Supeyia Fights Mamdouh in Brico Santig’s Thailand Show; Elmo Traya and Raymond Yanong Also in Action Oct 25 LIVE on TrillerTV
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • PIJUS LABUTIS MAKES HISTORY WITH MAIDEN MATCHROOM MAJOR TRIUMPH IN HANOI
    , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • ARSLANBEK MAKHMUDOV DEFEATS DAVE ALLEN AND DEMANDS TO FACE AJ NEXT
    , Sun, 12 Oct 2025
  • Domingo faces Fajardo in Thrilla in Manila 2 Countdown
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 12 Oct 2025
  • Doroma-Aranas 2 on October 13
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 12 Oct 2025
  • OFFICIAL WEIGHTS FOR FISTS OF FURY 8, TOMORROW NIGHT AT SEMINOLE HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO HOLLYWOOD
    , Sun, 12 Oct 2025
  • Alvin Camique Busts the "Mafia" in Tanzania!!!
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 12 Oct 2025
  • DAY FOUR: NEUHAUSEN, CAPITO, VERGARA AND LABUTIS CHARGE INTO SEMI-FINALS IN HANOI
    , Sun, 12 Oct 2025
  • RED OWL BOXING BOXFEST XVI LIVE ON DAZN RESULTS: DEONTE BROWN DEFEATS GRIMARDI MACHUCA
    , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • SBA Expands Scouting Tour to Discover New Talents for Season 2 Team Expansion
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • Alvin Camigue KOs unbeaten Ibrahin Mafia in Tanzania
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • DARE TO ENTER: ORTIZ VS. LUBIN LESS THAN A MONTH AWAY, GOLDEN BOY ANNOUNCES STACKED PRELIMINARY CARD FEATURING FAN FAVORITES ERIC PRIEST AND ROBIN SAFAR
    , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • Ennis vs. Lima: Boots is Back in Philly
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • Weigh-in Complete: Philadelphia's Jaron Ennis and Uisma Lima Set for WBA Interim World Title Fight
    , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • Ronny Alvarez Training Camp Notes Ahead of Most Valuable Prospects 16 on DAZN
    , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington Featured in Exclusive Global Boxing Network Interview
    , Sat, 11 Oct 2025




  •  



     
    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
    © 2025 philboxing.com.