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Kobe, Lakers Soar Past Washington

Hot shooting leads LA past an uninspired Washington squad

By Mike Buss,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 3, 2008 10:56 PM CST

(Newser) – Technically, the Lakers were playing a road game at Washington, but it was hard to tell at times, as Kobe Bryant heard lots cheers while pouring in 19 points during the first quarter of his team's 103-91 victory. In all, the superstar finished with 30 while Lamar Odom and Vladimir Radmonovich also made significant contributions against the listless Wizards.

"We didn't get enough passion from everybody," said Washington coach Eddie Jordan, who won a championship with LA long ago. The proof came in the second quarter where all nine Lakers players scored and they shot 74% as a team while the Wizards appeared slow on the defensive end. Washington lost its third straight despite all-star Caron Butler's return.

Los Angeles Lakers center Ronny Turiaf, left, and guard Kobe Bryant, right, defend Washington Wizards guard Nick Young in the second quarter of an NBA game, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008 in Washington. The Lakers defeated the Wizards 103-91.  (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Los Angeles Lakers center Ronny Turiaf, left, and guard Kobe Bryant, right, defend Washington Wizards guard Nick Young in the second quarter of an NBA game, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008 in Washington. The Lakers...   (Associated Press)
Newly acquired Los Angeles Lakers center Pau Gasol, from Spain, warms up before an NBA game against the Washington Wizards  on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008 in Washington.   (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Newly acquired Los Angeles Lakers center Pau Gasol, from Spain, warms up before an NBA game against the Washington Wizards on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008 in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)   (Associated Press)
Newly acquired Los Angeles Lakers center Pau Gasol, left, sits on the bench with assistant coach Frank Hamblen, center, and head coach Phil Jackson, during the fourth quarter of their NBA game against the Washington Wizards on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008 in Washington.   The Lakers won the game, 103-91.(AP...
Newly acquired Los Angeles Lakers center Pau Gasol, left, sits on the bench with assistant coach Frank Hamblen, center, and head coach Phil Jackson, during the fourth quarter of their NBA game against...   (Associated Press)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, left, scores over Washington Wizards forward Darius Songaila in the second quarter of NBA action on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008 in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, left, scores over Washington Wizards forward Darius Songaila in the second quarter of NBA action on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008 in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)   (Associated Press)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, left, drives past Washington Wizards center Brendan Haywood in the first quarter of their NBA game on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, left, drives past Washington Wizards center Brendan Haywood in the first quarter of their NBA game on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)   (Associated Press)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, right, looks on as Washington Wizards forward Caron Butler, center, runs into his teammate Darius Songaila in the second quarter of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008 in Washington. The Lakers defeated the Wizards 103-91.  (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, right, looks on as Washington Wizards forward Caron Butler, center, runs into his teammate Darius Songaila in the second quarter of an NBA basketball game, Sunday,...   (Associated Press)
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