Lakers give new coach his first win

Mike Brown can still coach. Kobe Bryant can still make his teammates better. Pau Gasol can still play tough.

The Lakers got some much-needed reassurances Tuesday night in a 96-71 victory over the Utah Jazz. Despite the fatigue of a third game in three days ? their only such stretch of this lockout-shortened season ? the Lakers took full advantage of Utah not being up to game speed in its season debut.

Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers controls the ball against Raja Bell #19 of the Utah Jazz at Staples Center on December 27, 2011 in Los Angeles, California.

STEPHEN DUNN, GETTY IMAGES

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The Jazz shot 28.2 percent from the field through three quarters against a Lakers defense still without center Andrew Bynum. The Lakers led, 71-46, entering the fourth quarter and soon enough sewed up Brown's first victory as Lakers coach.

Despite Bynum's second-to-last suspension absence, Jazz center Al Jefferson shot 2 for 16 from the field in his 24 minutes. Even so, his worst moment actually came on defense, when he fell so completely for Metta World Peace's 3-point fake that Jefferson was staring up at the rim, preparing to rebound, while World Peace steamed through the paint all alone for a rousing dunk.

Brown said about the Lakers' tremendous third-quarter rally in the Sunday opener against Chicago: "It was exciting to know what we're capable of." But this complete domination ? against a far less imposing opponent ? was a relief for the Lakers to know what they can still do.

After Brown talked pregame about the team being too reliant on Bryant to create offense Monday night in Sacramento, Bryant took just one shot in 10 first-quarter minutes ? making the 3-pointer ? as he got teammates involved. Bryant finished with 26 points, eight rebounds and five assists despite logging 35 and 38 minutes the past two nights with a torn wrist ligament.

The Lakers had lost their past eight games, counting the two sloppy exhibitions against the Clippers and the season-ending sweep to Dallas last postseason, so some feel-good vibes were welcomed. Even with lead in the 20-plus-point range, Gasol was pumping his fist after finishing through contact and Bryant was giving his he-can't-guard-me grin after being fouled by longtime rival Raja Bell.

Gasol, who didn't look strong often in the last postseason, had 22 points and nine rebounds despite his sprained right shoulder.

The Lakers avoided their fourth 0-3 start in franchise history (1978-79, 1960-61, 1957-58).

Source: http://www.ocregister.com/sports/lakers-333282-bryant-despite.html

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