Lakers Offense
Off to their best start since 2003-04, the Lakers remain undefeated at 5-0 after defeating Houston, 111-82, on Sunday. Trailing 32-16 early in the second quarter, Los Angeles outscored Houston, 95-50, the rest of the way. As a team, the Lakers lead the NBA averaging 106.8 points per game.
Lakers Team Balance
Leading the team in scoring, Kobe Bryant is a steady force for the Lakers. His per game averages: 24.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists in 33 minutes.
Bryant also has help from: Pau Gasol (11.6 rebounds); Jordan Farmar (3.8 assists); Trevor Ariza (1.6 assists) and Andrew Bynum (2.8 blocks).
Lakers Defense< br> The Lakers also have the league’s best defense, allowing a meager 84.4 points per game this season. Only once did the Lakers manage to win a game by single digits: a seven-point win at Denver Nov. 1.
No team has scored 100 points against the Lakers; twice, teams were held to less than 80 points. The Lakers’ margin of victory through five games is 22.4 – also tops in the league.
Ryan Getzlaf
The Ducks center had two goals and an assist in Anaheim’s last victory, a 5-2 win over Dallas Nov. 5. Getzlaf is tied for third in the NHL in total points this season. With six goals and 13 assists, Getzlaf has 19 points, he is three points shy of the league leader (Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin).
USC Defense
Fresh off a 56-0 win last week, No. 7 USC defeated No. 21 California, 17-3, Saturday at the Coliseum. The Golden Bears (6-3, 4-2) amassed only 165 yards of total offense, including only 27 rushing yards.
During the current USC six-game winning streak, the Trojan defense allowed only 23 points. For the season, USC (8-1, 6-1) has allowed just 60 points. Oregon State (27 points) was the only team to score more than 10 points against USC’s defense.
Los Angeles Kings
After losing six of seven games, the Kings relied upon balance scoring to break out of its slump with back-to-back home victories against Florida (3-2) and St. Louis (5-3).
WHO’S LUKEWARM
Manny Ramirez
The free-agent outfielder finally received an initial offer from the Los Angeles Dodgers. While specific details have not be released, the offer is expected to be somewhere in the $22-$27 million range, for about two or three years.
Ramirez publicly stated he seeks a long-term contract, somewhere in the five to six year-range. It is unlikely Ramirez will sign with the club during the Dodgers’ exclusive dealing period, which ends Nov. 14.
Los Angeles Clippers
After losing their first six games, the Clippers finally kicked the monkey off their backs with a 103-92 victory over Dallas on Sunday. The Clippers were led by Baron Davis, who had 22 points, 10 assists and four rebounds. Marcus Camby made a solid contribution with 9 points, 14 rebounds and two blocks.
WHO’S NOT
Anaheim Ducks
After an 8-0-1 stretch, the Ducks finally fell back to earth with back-to-back home losses against Dallas (2-5) and Florida (1-3). Still, the Ducks are 9-7-1 (19 points) overall, good for second place in the Pacific Division.
UCLA Football
Bruin football is on life support after losing to Oregon State, 34-6, at the Rose Bowl on Saturday. UCLA (3-6, 2-4) must now win its final three games – including the finale against USC – if it hopes to qualify for a bowl game.
The Bruins earned a bowl bid in each of the seasons Karl Dorrell was head coach. His successor, current coach Rick Neuheisel, may not be so lucky if UCLA loses any of the next three games.
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