Recap: LA Lakers vs. Indiana
Los Angeles, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - David West led six Pacers in double figures with 19 points, Lance Stephenson flirted with a triple-double and Indiana used a big second half to take down the Los Angeles Lakers, 104-92, from Staples Center.
Stephenson tallied 15 points, 14 rebounds and six assists while Paul George and George Hill posted 14 and 13 points, respectively. George shot just 4- for-21 from the floor, but Indiana outrebounded the Lakers 63-50 and got back on track after losing two of three entering Tuesday's tilt.
Roy Hibbert and Danny Granger added 11 and 10 points, respectively, with Hibbert also grabbing 10 boards in the triumph.
Pau Gasol and Jodie Meeks both scored 21 points in LA's fifth straight setback. Kendall Marshall contributed 11 points and 13 assists.
Prior to the game, the Lakers announced that star Kobe Bryant would miss at least another three weeks before returning to the lineup because of pain and swelling in his left knee.
'At this point there's no use forcing him back,' said LA head coach Mike D'Antoni. 'So when he's ready, he'll play.'
Stephenson scored the first six points of the second half to break a 49-49 halftime score and give the Pacers a lead that they wouldn't surrender.
Meeks' three-point play brought LA back within three midway through the period, but Stephenson answered by driving right past Meeks for an emphatic slam. Stephenson then stole it from Jordan Hill and lofted a pass ahead to George, who went behind-the-back and finished in transition for a 65-58 edge at 5:21 of the third.
'They turned up their intensity and they're more athletic,' said D'Antoni. 'We didn't play very well. Our guys are trying, but sometimes there's a lack of physical talent.'
George's only trey of the contest came with 1.6 seconds left in the frame, making it 79-69.
The lead grew to 16 points on a Luis Scola layup 4 1/2 minutes into the fourth, and the Pacers led by double figures the rest of the way.
'Our bench was huge,' said George. 'A lot of guys stepped up. We came out strong in the second half and our bench made some huge shots.'
Earlier, Indy shot just 40.4 percent in the first half but the Lakers failed to take advantage, earning just one trip to the line. There were 14 lead changes and five ties over the opening 24 minutes.
Game Notes
Oklahoma City's Scott Brooks has earned his second All-Star coaching assignment.
Bradley Beal had 20 points, seven rebounds and four assists as the Washington Wizards defeated the Golden State Warriors, 88-85, on Tuesday night.
Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson said before his team faced the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night that John Wall deserved to be on the Eastern Conference All-Star team.
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