The defending champion Los Angeles Lakers were knocked to the canvas the last time out and will try to get back on their feet tonight, when they welcome the Atlanta Hawks to Staples Center.
The Lakers topped the local Clippers in the season opener on Tuesday, but stumbled in Friday's 94-80 loss versus the Dallas Mavericks in the second test of a three-game homestand. Finals MVP Kobe Bryant finished with 20 points and was only 6-of-19 from the field.
"It's one of the longest nights we've had in this building," said Lakers coach Phil Jackson. "We should refund the money to our fans. Every time we got momentum we shot ourselves in our own foot."
Andrew Bynum tallied 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Lakers, who shot a dismal 13-of-36 from the field in defeat. Lamar Odom had 10 points, seven assists and six rebounds in a losing effort. In injury news for the defending champion Lakers, center Pau Gasol is expected to miss Sunday's game with a strained right hamstring. Gasol has missed the first two games.
Meanwhile, the Hawks are off to another unbeaten start and sport a 2-0 record after back-to-back home wins over Indiana and Washington. Now they will embark on a four-game road trip.
In Friday's 100-89 victory over the Wizards at Philips Arena, Josh Smith pumped in 20 points and pulled down eight rebounds, Joe Johnson added 17 points, six assists and five rebounds and Jamal Crawford ended with 16 points for the Hawks, who opened their season with a 120-109 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday.
"We scored the ball very well in the first half, but I knew they would make a run in the second half," Atlanta head coach Mike Woodson said. "I thought Marvin (Williams) had a huge fourth quarter for us."
The Hawks hope to eventually pass last season's 6-0 record to start the season, and will also visit the Trail Blazers, Kings and Bobcats on the road swing.
Atlanta and Los Angeles have split the past four meetings, but the Lakers have won 20 of the last 29 contests in the series. The Hawks are winless in their past three contests as the guest against the Lakers.
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