The return of a Los Angeles Lakers fan favorite, Nick ‘Swaggy P’ Young, helped bolster the Lakers and helped them achieve their first road victory on the season as they defeated the Atlanta Hawks in Atlanta for their second win on the season, 114-109. The team was excited, having fun and had the, as Nick Young put it,”swag effect” out there.
Nick ‘Swaggy P’ Young returned tonight for the Lakers. He came off the bench and made an immediate impact early in the game by scoring 5 quick points, finishing with 17 with 5 rebounds. Young brought a different vibe for LA tonight, bringing some of his ‘swaggy’ attitude.
An efficient Kobe Bryant was important in the Lakers win today. He shot 10-18 tonight with 28 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists. A game after he scored 44 points, the NBA’s leading scorer got the most help he’s had all season. There were 3 Lakers who had a double-double with Carlos Boozer putting up 20 points with 10 rebounds, Jordan Hill had 18 points with 10 rebounds and Jeremy Lin had 15 points with 10 assists. The first game in which a player besides Jordan Hill recorded a double-double.
Bryant’s biggest shot came with 1:11 remaining, when he backed in against Thabo Sefolosha and made a fadeaway jumper despite being fouled. Bryant slapped hands with a Lakers fan on the front row and completed the three-point play, giving the Lakers a 108-102 lead and Bryant his 32,000 point of his career.
Paul Millsap led Atlanta with 29 points and 4 rebounds, very efficiently shooting 11-16 but his front court partner, Al Horford, scored 15 points with 8 rebounds. Thabo Sefolosha scored 10 points with 9 rebounds and his back court partner, Jeff Teague, scored 23 points but only had 3 assists for the Hawks. Atlanta lost for the first time at home.
The Hawks had a chance to force overtime after the Lakers failed to put it away at the line. But Los Angeles smothered long-range threat Kyle Korver, leaving big man Pero Antic to take an open 3-pointer. It clanked off the rim, Lakers snagged the loose ball and sealed the victory at the line with Jordan Hill free throws.
Los Angeles Lakers are 2-9. Atlanta Hawks are 5-5.
Full Game Highlights
https://youtu.be/QU1WINFvR_0
