ROUNDUP Lakers pay tribute to Bryant before their 1st game since crash
Red roses adorned the courtside seats where Kobe and Gianna Bryant sat at the last Los Angeles Lakers game they attended. On the overhead video board, photos of Bryant in action alternated with those of the other seven people who were killed alongside him and his 13yearold daughter Sunday in a helicopter crash.
Friday night at Staples Center was unlike any other. Lakers star LeBron James spoke to the crowd, saying, “As I look around this arena, we’re all breathing, hurt and heartbroken.” Public address announcer Lawrence Tanter introduced the entire Lakers lineup the same way: “From Lower Merion (Pa.) High School, No. 8, Kobe Bryant.”
In a ceremony before a 127119 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, the Lakers’ first game since the fatal crash, Usher stood at center court of the darkened arena in front of No. 8 and No. 24 yellow rose arrangements to sing “Amazing Grace.” Cellist Ben Hong performed while video of Bryant talking about his life and career played.
Nets 133, Bulls 118:
Kyrie Irving scored a seasonhigh 54 points, making all 10 shots in the first half and 19 of 23 for the game, to lead Brooklyn to a homecourt triumph.
Nuggets 127, Bucks 115:
Will Barton had 24 points and eight assists to lead Denver to a road victory that snapped Milwaukee’s ninegame winning streak.
Raptors 105, Pistons 92:
Pascal Siakam scored 30 points and Serge Ibaka added 21 to lift Toronto on the road to its 10th straight victory.
Thunder 111, Suns 107:
Danilo Gallinari scored 27 points, Dennis Schroder added 24 and Oklahoma City rallied in the final minutes in Phoenix.
Pelicans 139, Grizzlies 111:
Zion Williamson scored 24 points in a little less than 29 minutes, and New Orleans won big at home in the first matchup between the NBA’s top two draft picks. Grizzlies rookie Ja Morant, taken second overall behind Williamson in last June’s draft, scored 16 points.
Rockets 128, Mavericks 121:
James Harden scored 35 points, Russell Westbrook added 32 and Houston built a big lead and held on at home.