All-Star shooting guard Kobe Bryant scored 32 points and Nick Young added 12 points as the Los Angeles Lakers rallied to beat the Sacramento Kings 98-95 on Thursday at Staples Center, marking their first victory since Byron Scott made changes on the starting lineup.
Bryant had another low shooting percentage night, but nevertheless made most of his buckets during the most important stretch of the game. The Lakers star scored 9 of his total points in the final 3:14 minutes of the game, while the team's defense held firm by shutting down the Kings in 4 ½ minute stretch.
Boozer, who played his second game since he was relegated to a reserve role, provided nice contribution with 15 points and 9 rebounds in 28 minutes of playing time.
Meanwhile, Jeremy Lin had another dull scoring night with just three points on 1-for-5 shooting along with four assists and one steal. Like Boozer, Lin was given a new assignment on the Lakers bench, as Scott stressed the team would benefit a lot by starting a better defensive player in Ronnie Price.
The Asian-American star assumed the starting role for the Lakers for the first 21 games after Steve Nash was ruled out of the season with a nerve problem on his back. The 26-year old Lin is averaging 11 points and 5 assists per game while shooting 44 percent from the field and 34 percent from beyond the arc.
Although he admitted that seeing himself as a bench player again is the toughest situation in his career, Lin has remained optimistic of the Lakers' chances this season, and even believed his team will make the postseason despite a 6-16 hole in a very team Western Conference.
"People probably think I'm crazy, but I don't really care. I think this team can make the playoffs. I believe in that and I know other guys believe in that as well. It's very early. People will laugh. That's fine. But I've always been a big dreamer and believe in miracles. I feel like God has performed miracles in my life," said Lin, whose future with the Lakers appears murky as he becomes an unrestricted free-agent next summer.
