Lakers Survive A Scare From The Lowly Raptors
Eddie Jones scored 11 of his 32 points in the first quarter Sunday night as the Los Angeles Lakers started fast before having to hold off the Toronto Raptors 105-99, at Inglewood, Calif.
The Lakers remained the only NBA team without a home loss. The Raptors dropped their 13th straight - the longest losing streak in the league so far this season - as their NBA-worst record fell to 1-15.
The victory was the seventh in a row for the Lakers at the Forum, and 11th straight at home dating back to last season. Their 13-2 overall record is the second-best in the league behind Atlanta’s 14-2 mark.
Nick Van Exel had 17 points and 10 assists, and Rick Fox also scored 17 for Los Angeles.
Van Exel’s 10th point late in the second quarter was the 5,000th of his career, making him the 17th member of the Lakers to reach that milestone. John Wallace led the Raptors with 25 points - the fifth straight game he has scored 20 or more.
Other games
Dikembe Mutombo scored 22 points and the host Atlanta Hawks, shooting a season-high 57 percent from the field, cruised past the San Antonio Spurs 108-96 for their franchise-record 13th victory of November.
Atlanta, eclipsing its previous record of 12 victories for the month, has won three in a row.
At Auburn Hills, Mich., the Vancouver Grizzlies completed a sweep of the season series against the struggling Detroit Pistons when Grant Hill missed two foul shots with 2.1 seconds left in a 97-95 decision.
Antonio Daniels hit a short running jumper with 3.1 seconds left to break a tie, and Shareef Abdur-Rahim then fouled Hill on the inbounds pass. But Hill missed the first free throw, and no one could gain control after he intentionally missed the second.
The win was just Vancouver’s second in 11 road games this year. Detroit lost for the 11th time in its last 15 games, including a 104-96 overtime loss at Vancouver on Nov. 9.
At Sacramento, Calif., Kendall Gill scored 18 of his 26 points in the first half as the New Jersey Nets built an early lead and coasted to an 87-73 victory over the Kings.
Kerry Kittles finished with 18 points for the Nets, who forced 21 turnovers that led to 24 points. Sam Cassell had 10 points and 11 assists.
Jordan disappointed with Pippen
During the years, Michael Jordan has been one of Scottie Pippen’s staunchest supporters.
But Jordan isn’t so sure he’s ready to give Pippen total support in his demands to be traded. Jordan, in fact, said he’s disappointed with the way Pippen has handled his latest rift with management. “I’m very disappointed that he hasn’t been able to put aside his dealings with management,” Jordan said.
Pippen, who already has missed the Bulls’ first 16 games recovering from preseason foot surgery, says he won’t play another game for the Bulls, even when he’s healthy.
Jordan said maybe Pippen should have thought about this back in June, a month before Bulls general manager Jerry Krause tried to trade him to the Celtics in a deal that eventually was thwarted.