Bryant Returns and the Real Fun Begins in Earnest

Kobe Bryant came back, and the Lakers were firing on all pistons. Bryant, who came off the bench for a few games until he was into full game shape, was the Lakers’ leading scorer in his second game back. After stumbling to a 103-91 loss to Sacramento, the Lakers began their first long win streak of the season, 16 games, which extended well into January. They also began their dominance of Eastern Conference opponents, going 6-0 against those teams in December, including sweeping a four-game trip against Atlanta, Minnesota, Toronto and Boston.

Game of the month: The lowly Clippers came into Staples Center on Dec. 14, providing an early Christmas present. A combination of tough Laker defense and the usual Clipper ineptitude was one for the record books. The Clippers scored only 19 points in the first half, including three in the second quarter, of a 95-68 Laker victory. How bad was the blowout? Little-used John Salley played 17 minutes.

Who’s hot: Bryant came off the injured list with a flourish. He averaged 22.3 points a game, shot 45.6% from the field, 85.2% from the free-throw line and averaged 4.3 assists. His presence also took some of the pressure off O’Neal, who no longer had to carry the team alone.

Who’s not: If you said on Jan. 1 that Brian Shaw would be an important person for the Lakers in the playoffs, people would have looked at you funny. Shaw, who was not a real part of the bench rotation yet, was averaging only 4.2 points and shooting only 37% from the field.

Record in month: 14-1.

Quotebook: “We just needed a staff to take us over the top. We think Phil Jackson can take us over the top. I’m glad he’s here.” O’Neal, after an impressive 99-93 win over San Antonio on Dec. 25.

Pacific Division standings:

1. Lakers: 25-5, .833

2. Portland: 22-7, .759

3. Sacramento: 17-10, .630

4. Phoenix: 18-11, .621

5. Seattle: 18-12, .600

6. Clippers: 9-20, .310

7. Golden State: 6-23, .207.

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Best record in NBA:

1. Lakers: 25-5, .833

2. Portland: 22-7, .759

3. Indiana: 20-9, .690

4. Miami: 19-9, .679

5. San Antonio: 21-10, .677

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NBA scoring leaders:

1. Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers: 29.9

2. Shaquille O’Neal, Lakers: 27.3

3. Grant Hill, Detroit Pistons: 26.3

4. Karl Malone, Utah Jazz: 25.9

5. Vince Carter, Toronto Raptors: 24.3

GAME BY GAME

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Date Score Leading Scorer Record 1 Golden State, W, 93-75 O’Neal, 28 12-4 3 Portland, W, 93-80 Bryant, 23 13-4 5 Orlando, W, 117-100 O’Neal, 27 14-4 7 Washington, W, 91-80 O’Neal, 30 15-4 8 at Sacramento, L, 103-91 O’Neal, Bryant, 27 15-5 11 at Vancouver, W, 106-94 O’Neal, 30 16-5 12 Detroit, W, 101-93 Bryant, 26 17-5 14 Clippers, W, 95-68 O’Neal, 21 18-5 16 at Atlanta, W, 95-88 Bryant, 30 19-5 17 at Minnesota, W, 97-88 Bryant, 28 20-5 19 at Toronto, W, 94-88 Bryant, 26 21-5 20 at Boston, W, 99-90 O’Neal, 34 22-5 25 San Antonio, W, 99-93 O’Neal, 32 23-5 27 Dallas, W, 108-106 O’Neal, 35 24-5 29 Phoenix, W, 103-87 O’Neal, 27 25-5

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