Lakers top Sixers, 111-98, for second straight road win

Lakers 111 - Sixers 98 (final)

The Lakers played a loose brand of basketball in Philadelphia on Sunday, taking advantage of a Sixers squad playing without their point guard (Jrue Holiday) and center (Andrew Bynum). The Lakers have a little more experience to this point without Steve Nash and Pau Gasol, although not much to show for it in record.

Metta World Peace was a force, scoring 19 points, pulling down a career-high 16 rebounds, blocking two shots and collecting four steals.

Kobe Bryant led the way with 34, his sixth straight game with 30 or more points. As a team, the Lakers shot 48.8% from the field but dominated the game at the line with 19 makes in 24 tried (79.2%). The Lakers also hit 14 three-pointers at a 41.2% clip.

The Sixers got 30 points from Nick Young while shooting 49.4% as a team. Four players scored in double figures: Evan Turner (16), Spencer Hawes (16), Thaddeus Young (14) and Young.

In addition to Bryant and World Peace, the Lakers had four more in double figures: Dwight Howard (17), Darius Morris with a career high 15, Chris Duhon (14) and Jodie Meeks (12).

The Lakers sat Jordan Hill with back spasms in addition to Steve Blake, Nash and Gasol.

Lakers 87 - Sixers 73 (end of third quarter)

The Lakers took a 14-point lead to end the third quarter, led by Kobe Bryant’s 25 points. The Lakers have five players in double-figures while shooting 51.6% from the field and 50% from three (12-24).

The Sixers shot a strong 52.5% and hit 8-17 from three (8-17) but the Lakers hit eight more free throws (11-3).

Philadelphia was led by Nick Young with 19 points and Thaddeus Young with 14.

Lakers 60 - Sixers 50 (halftime)

After a tremendous first half, Darius Morris tweaked an ankle and headed to the locker room moments before the end of the second quarter. Morris hit all five shot attempts, scoring 15 points.

Kobe Bryant reached 18 to lead all scorers as the Lakers improved to 53.7% from the field. Where the team did major damage to the Sixers was behind the arc, hitting 10-15 three-pointers.

The Sixers shot 55% from the field as well but converted only 1-3 from the line while the Lakers hit 6-9 attempts.

Philadelphia was led by Nick Young with 16 points, hitting 4-6 from three.

Lakers 28 - Sixers 24 (end of first quarter)

Kobe Bryant and Metta World Peace both scored 11 points to give the Lakers a four-point lead over the Philadelphia 76ers.

Guarded by former Laker Kwame Brown, Dwight Howard had a difficult time, missing all three of his shot attempts and turning the ball over four times.

The Lakers made up for seven turnovers in the period by shooting 6-10 from three-point range (and 43.5% from the field overall).

The Sixers got hot starts from Evan Turner (starting at point guard), who scored eight points, and Thaddeus Young with six. The Sixers shot 52.4% from the field.

Pregame

The Lakers won’t see Andrew Bynum the court when they visit the Sixers on Sunday. Bynum has yet to play with knee injuries while Dwight Howard started the season on time despite an early projection he’d be out until January.

Obviously the Lakers have had mixed results this season, given injuries to Steve Nash, Pau Gasol and Steve Blake. Where would the team be with Bynum on the sidelines too?

The Sixers are a tough team, though they’ve been inconsistent, losing two straight. The Lakers are still desperate for a win after a disappointing start to the season.

Despite finally breaking their four-game losing streak in with a 102-96 win in Washington, the Lakers are still tough to pick for almost any road game.

For a more in-depth breakdown, check out Preview: Lakers at Sixers.

ALSO:

Jodie Meeks’ best game of season helps Lakers topple Wizards

Lakers end four-game losing streak with victory over Wizards

Globetrotters invite Kobe Bryant to battle Washington Generals

Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus