Despite some feisty play from the Portland Trail Blazers in the second half, the Los Angeles Lakers held their ground and got a win on their home court at the Staples Center on Monday night, using a huge first quarter to lead them to a 103-92 victory.
As per usual, Kobe Bryant paced the Lakers. His 28 points led all scorers, and his 26 shots were more than any two other Lakers combined to take. Andrew Bynum added 14 points and 19 rebounds, while Pau Gasol had 16 points and 12 rebounds, and Steve Blake set a new high as a Laker with 17 points off the bench.
The Blazers closed to within 10 points in the fourth quarter, but couldn't ever mount a serious charge after a 29-7 first quarter. Nicolas Batum and LaMarcus Aldridge each had 18 points, and Jamal Crawford came off the bench to score 15 for Portland.
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