NBA: Warriors fall to Nuggets in double overtime
The Los Angeles Lakers spoke to 11-time NBA champion coach Phil Jackson on Saturday about returning for a third stint on their bench.
The Lakers confirmed on their website that Jackson discussed the job with owner Jim Buss and general manager Mitch Kupchak. They’ll meet again early next week.
Los Angeles fired coach Mike Brown on Friday after a 1-4 start to a season of enormous expectations. Interim coach Bernie Bickerstaff led the Lakers to a blowout win over the Warriors later that night, and the Lakers said Bickerstaff will coach the club in a home game against Sacramento on Sunday night.
Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard have voiced their interest in playing for Jackson, and the legendary coach’s return to the 16-time champion franchise seems probable as long as Jackson decides he’s up to another stint in the prestigious job with a team that won five titles and reached seven NBA Finals in his 11 seasons on its bench.
“Knowing him the way I do, I think it’s really just a matter of health, if he feels physically up to doing it,” Bryant said Friday night. “He’s a perfectionist. We all know he’s a perfectionist. If he feels like he can come in here and give what he demands from himself, then I think he would be interested.”
After several chants of “We want Phil!” broke out in the Staples Center crowd on Friday night, the Lakers had the day off Saturday.
Jackson walked away from the Lakers in 2011, eager to improve his health by avoiding the constant grind of NBA travel. Jazz had 27 94, points Suns and 81: 14 Al rebounds, Jefferson Phoenix. and … Paul Utah Millsap beat visiting added 18 the points Jazz. and 13 rebounds for
Spurs Gary Neal 112, had Trail 27 Blazers points, Manu 109: Ginobili in the final hit seconds, two big free and throws San Antonio won at Portland. … Tim Duncan added 22 points and nine rebounds for the Spurs.
Pacers 89, Wizards 85: Paul George scored 20 points, and host Indiana beat winless Washington. … Roy Hibbert added seven points, 11 rebounds and two blocks.
Bulls 87, Timberwolves 80: Nate Robinson scored 18 points, and Chicago ended a three-game winning streak for visiting Minnesota. … Joakim Noah added 17 points and seven rebounds.
Rockets 96, Pistons 82: James Harden scored 20 points, and host Houston won its first game without coach Kevin McHale, who is taking a leave of absence to deal with a family matter. … Brandon Knight had 16 for Detroit.
Celtics 96, Bucks 92: Paul Pierce scored 25 points, and Kevin Garnett added 18 as Boston won at Milwaukee. … Former Warrior Monta Ellis led the Bucks with 32 points.
Bobcats 101, Mavericks 97: Rookie Michael Kidd-Gilchrist had a career-high 25 points and 12 rebounds to help host Charlotte snap a 16-game losing streak against Dallas in the overtime win. … Kemba Walker had 26 points and seven assists for the Bobcats.
76ers 93, Raptors 83: Thaddeus Young, Jrue Holiday and Nick Young scored 16 points apiece for Philadelphia. … The 76ers have won three consecutive road games for the first time since February 2003.