Japanese sees experience prevailing over power
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers’ first half resembled many miserable stretches of the past four seasons. Although the Chicago Bulls have plenty of their own problems, they outworked, outshot and outsmarted the Lakers while taking a 14-point lead.
Coach Luke Walton reminded his young team that 14 points aren’t much in the NBA, and the Lakers proceeded to stage a rally that suggested the future might not be so miserable after all.
Kyle Kuzma had 22 points, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 11 of his 21 in the fourth quarter and the Lakers roared back from a 19-point deficit in the second half for a 103-94 victory over the TAGBILARAN CITY -Japanese boxer Shota Hayashi, who will be fighting Filipino pride Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo this Saturday, sees the fight going the distance and with no knock-out.
The MagsayoHayashi bout will be held at the Bohol Wisdom Gymnasium.
While the Japanese did not directly reveal his strategy, he alluded to his experience as his main advantage and Bulls on Tuesday night.
Brandon Ingram had 17 points, five rebounds and five assists as the Lakers won consecutive games for the second time this season, doing so in a thrilling fashion that had their still-faithful fans standing, cheering and recalling the 16-time champion franchise’s better years.
“Anytime you go out there and compete, and you look to your right and your left and everybody is competing as hard as you are, that’s a great feeling,” said rookie Lonzo Ball, who had eight points, 13 rebounds and four assists.
Los Angeles is off to an 8-10 start and sitting in eighth place in the Western Conference — small achievements, but important sees no knock-out happening in the 12-round fight.
Hayashi on Tuesday told the media through an interpreter that he is aware of Magsayo’s punching power but his experience would still prevail against the speed and power of the Boholano prizefighter.
The Japanese pugilist is now in the city to prepare for his ring engagement with Magsayo in the main event of Pinoy Pride 43. steps for a young team just starting to believe it can compete.
The Lakers weren’t competitive in the first half while committing 13 turnovers, and they trailed 61-42 early in the second half. But they put together a 3819 run spurred by an energetic third quarter from reserves Jordan Clarkson, Josh Hart and Julius Randle, who finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Caldwell-Pope’s layup with 3:08 to play gave the Lakers their first lead since the first quarter, and the veteran added back-toback 3-pointers. The Lakers finished strong for their first win over the Bulls at Staples Center in three tries.
“I was shocked we were only down 14 at
When asked if he is worried about the hostile crowd he would be facing on Saturday, he curtly replied he doesn't care.
Magsayo will be the overwhelming favorite come Saturday as he will be fighting for the first time as a professional in front of his province mates.
Yet, Hayashi asked for the support of the Boholano boxing fans as he squares off with the latest boxing sensation. the half, to be honest,” Walton said. “It was a learning opportunity for the guys to be down 20 and realize you don’t need hero shots. You just need to tighten down on what we are doing, and you can get back in the game.”
Denzel Valentine scored 17 points and Antonio Blakeney added 15 — all in the first half — for the Bulls, who dropped to 3-12 with their seventh loss in eight games.
“They grabbed the momentum and ran with it,” said Kris Dunn, who had 12 points and six assists in his second start of the season for Chicago. “Caldwell-Pope, he hit some big shots. They were more aggressive than we were and started getting to the free throw line.” AP The 30-year-old Hayashi comes into the ring with an impressive winning roll as he won 14 of his last 15 fights.
The Japanese boxer said he would contemplate on retiring if ever he fails to win against Magsayo.
However, if ever he pulls an upset, he will definitely go for the world title against featherweight champion Oscar Valdez. PNA